SACRAMENTO – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s January budget proposal:

“I commend the Governor for championing fiscal discipline, which is a foreign concept to most Democrats in the Legislature. The Governor has his work cut out for him.

“However, I’m disappointed that we’ve heard virtually nothing from the Governor about spurring job creation and economic growth.

“California’s budget challenges will not be solved by higher taxes, which only serve to chase investment and jobs out of our state and make revenues more volatile.

“If the Governor and Legislature want to ensure California’s solvency, they need to help the private sector succeed in our state. That means fewer taxes and regulations, not more.

“California’s unemployment rate is still too high. We need more jobs.”

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.