Brown’s State of the State urges restraint despite ‘comeback’

Gov. Jerry Brown underscored a theme of “comeback” for California in his State of the State address at the Legislature Wednesday, but warned lawmakers to practice fiscal restraint.

Brown called attention to the state’s long-term liabilities such as pension and health care costs. At the same time, he lauded the state’s budgetary surplus, a million new jobs and a rising minimum wage.

The governor maintained that state revenues are uncertain in nature and, even in the midst of a surplus, the state must account for both projected and unforeseen costs.

“Boom and bust is our lot, and we must follow the ancient advice recounted in the book of Genesis that Joseph gave to the pharaoh: Put away your surplus during the years of great plenty so you will be ready for the lean years, which are sure to follow,” Brown said.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office, a nonpartisan fiscal and policy advisory agency, forecast the state will have a multibillion-dollar reserve at the end of the 2014-2015 fiscal year, but echoed the sentiment of continued caution about state spending.

In his speech, the governor emphasized the issue of climate change and California’s current drought, which experts say will likely break a record as the state’s driest year. On Friday, Brown proclaimed a state of emergency for California, urging state agencies to implement initiatives to help residents cut their water usage by 20 percent.

Brown also touched on the state’s prison realignment policy, which shifts the responsibility from the state to counties for non-serious offenders, as well as the ongoing high-speed rail project that will extend from Sacramento to San Diego.

Compiled by Emily Suh, Bruin senior staff.

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