FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]
California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
CGA supports Governor’s effort to take final decision to California voters.
SACRAMENTO, CA — (June 13, 2011) – California Grocers Association President Ronald Fong joined representatives from business, law enforcement, agriculture, education, labor and infrastructure and California Governor Jerry Brown at a press conference today urging legislators to pass a balanced, no gimmicks budget.
Governor Brown invited the broad coalition of supporters to participate in the press conference in hopes of swaying state legislators to present a budget that included new taxes to be approved by California voters. Prior to the event, the Governor met with the coalition to discuss the status of budget negotiations.
“This year, perhaps more than any other, will require extraordinary leadership and compromise from the Governor and Legislature,” Fong said following the press event. “ Our presence here today hopefully sends a strong message to both that the time has come for all sides to unite for the common good of the state.”
He added that as anchors of the communities they serve, California grocers are committed to the state’s success. “Our first priority is our customers, which means our first priority is California,” Fong said. “Let’s work together to restore our state’s greatness.”
While CGA supports the Governor’s intention to allow voters to decide on any type of tax increase, Fong emphasized that it wasn’t an endorsement of the Governor’s budget.
“To be clear, there are components of the current budget proposal that we wish looked different,” Fong said. “It is time to pass a budget that includes both long-term reform in key policy areas and an opportunity for voters to weigh in on tax extensions.”
Lawmakers are required to send the Governor a balanced budget by June 15, or lose pay beginning the following day, according to State Controller John Chiang.
The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898 and represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada.