such as programs assisting the aged, blind and disabled.”

Assemblymember Monning also commented on the impact of the budget passage on local programs.  "Projects funded by the sale of California revenue bonds, such as the Resource Conservation District and UCSC’s library seismic upgrade, are expected to regain their funding within 30-60 days.  Unfortunately, local transit district funds were among the hardest hit in the budget agreement, but the Legislature is exploring the option of directing federal stimulus funds and local transportation funding to fill the work gap.”
  
Concluding his thoughts, the Assemblymember commented, “If there is any take-home message from the latest stalemate, it is that the 2/3 majority vote requirement to pass a budget needs to be changed.  If we do not address this issue, we will find ourselves right back in this gridlock 16 months from now.  Numerous school districts and transportation districts throughout the state have acknowledged that the 2/3 vote threshold is difficult to achieve and have changed the vote threshold from 2/3 to 55% for the passage of capitol construction bonds for schools and roads.”

Assemblymember Monning was first elected to represent the 27th Assembly District in 2008.  The 27th Assembly District includes the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County; as well as the cities of Carmel, Marina, Monterey, and Seaside in Monterey County; and the city of Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County.  Prior to his election to the Assembly, Assemblymember Monning was a professor at the Monterey College of Law and a Professor of International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. 

Bill Monning Represents the 27th Assembly District in the California State Legislature