Congresswoman Matsui Votes for Innovative Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 2, 2009

CONTACT: Alexis Marks or Mara Lee

(202) 225-7163

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) voted in favor of the Democratic Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2010, which will make strategic investments for the long-term and put our country back on a path of fiscal responsibility and economic recovery. On Monday Rep. Matsui and the Democratic Caucus met with President Obama to discuss their Budget priorities.

"My colleagues in Congress, the President and I met to discuss the budget and how this resolution could restore our nation's priorities, help improve our economy and create new jobs. The Democratic budget that came out of that meeting demonstrates our shared commitment to investing in the long-term stability and renewed prosperity of our nation," said Congresswoman Matsui. "I look forward to continuing to work with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress as we take decisive action to put America's economy on track and deliver real assistance for Sacramento families."

The budget, which is a blue print for spending priorities, is organized by four major themes that focus on short-term growth and long-term investments in the American workforce: education, affordable healthcare, fiscal responsibility and energy independence. The budget will help Sacramento's working families by increasing access to affordable healthcare and investing in public schools, creating new, clean energy jobs, and including a tax cut for 95 percent of American workers.

Education
Congress made significant investments in education earlier this year through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has already released over $62 million for Sacramento school districts, additional funding for Head Start, as well as establishing a new tax credit to help cover college costs. The budget builds upon those investments with further support for early childhood education, the tools to achieve high standards, and efforts to help more Americans obtain a college degree. The budget accommodates the President's proposals for new initiatives in early childhood education, effective approaches to making sure all children learn and achieve in school, and continuing to raise the maximum Pell grant award for college students at all levels.

Health Care Reform
Rising health care costs impose a real burden on Sacramento families and businesses. The budget supports Congress's and the President's goals for health care reform by addressing the related goals of reducing costs, improving quality, and expanding coverage to help the 46 million Americans who currently lack health insurance.

Fiscal Responsibility
This is an honest budget that does not hide costs. The budget will slice the deficit we inherited from the Bush Administration by two-thirds by 2013, without overriding the need to stimulate the economy in the short-term, and making the crucial investments we need for the long-term. By restoring credibility and order to our nation's fiscal system, it will create new jobs and encourage growth and restore our nation's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and investments in our community.

Energy Independence
The budget outlines clean energy initiatives and smart grid technologies, and provides funds to modernize and enhance energy efficiency and reliability, bringing down the cost of energy for consumers and local businesses. It also provides a blueprint to move toward a clean energy economy, which will create green jobs and spur economic growth throughout California.