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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      Press Contact: Andrew Acosta
April 15, 2010                                                                                                 (916) 444-8897

SPEAKER PÉREZ; SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM STEINBERG ENDORSE MAJORITY VOTE BUDGET INITIATIVE

SACRAMENTO – California State Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez and California State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced their support for the Yes on the Majority Vote Budget Initiative.

“I support efforts like this one that lead to California’s budget being approved by a majority vote.” Pérez said. “It’s time to end the gridlock, backroom deals and political games that come with being one of only three states that requires a 2/3 vote to pass the budget.”

“This initiative gives us an opportunity to begin changing the dysfunctional budget process,” said Steinberg. “A majority vote budget is an important first step towards common sense reform that protects taxpayers and ends the budget gamesmanship.”

The Majority Vote Budget Initiative will reform California’s budget process. The measure is currently in circulation and will be on the ballot in November. The Majority Vote Budget Initiative does three things:

1) Reforms California’s budget process by requiring the state budget to be passed with a simple majority. Majority approval of state budgets works well in 47 other states and in the Federal government. There is no reason why California should be any different.

2) Protects the taxpayers by maintaining the two-third vote requirement for any tax increases.

3) Holds politicians accountable for failing to do their job. It’s simple: If legislators fail to pass a budget on time, they don’t get paid and they can’t pay themselves back later.

For more information on the Yes on the Majority Vote Budget Initiative visit www.EndBudgetGridlock.com .