Sacramento, CA, - Sen. Tony Strickland released the following statement on Gov. Jerry Brown's 2011-12 budget:

"Every day, California families have to make difficult choices in their personal budget and it should be no different with state government. To get us out of this nearly $25 billion budget mess, we need to live within our means and not spend more than we're taking in."

"While the past two administrations have relied heavily on gimmicks for their budgets, I have to commend Gov. Brown for making tough cuts.

Unfortunately, Gov. Brown's proposal of taking tax increases to the voters just won't work."

"The voters have already spoken on tax increases - they voted down Proposition 1A in 2009 which would have extended tax increases - so it's clear hardworking Californians simply cannot afford another tax. We need to make better use of the precious dollars that do come to Sacramento and stop treating the people like a personal ATM machine by reaching into their pockets every time the state runs out of cash."

"The only way to truly get us out of this budget mess is to change the policies that drive jobs out of the state. The Legislature should focus on what we will do to put people back to work."

Sen. Strickland is available to the media for an interview or comments.

Tony Strickland represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.