Response to State-of-the-State: Green Party says Governor, Democratic Party not offering ‘real reform' to Californians

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: Thursday, January 5, 2006

Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Sara Amir (Los Angeles) 310-270-7106,
Susan King (San Francisco) 415-823-5524,

SACRAMENTO (January 5, 2006, 6:02 p.m.) – The Green Party of California Thursday – responding to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's third State of the State speech – charged that not only the governor, but also Democratic Party leaders, are not offering the "real reform" that is needed to help all Californians.

"Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are offering real solutions. California does need real reform, but not the same old patchwork of non-solutions," said San Francisco Green Party spokesperson Erika McDonald.

"The Governor and the legislature need to get tough with the corporate interests that fund their campaigns. This means fighting for fairer taxation, getting tough with big pharmaceutical companies, and supporting a real hike in the minimum wage," she added.

For an example of "real reform," Greens said they are spearheading a "fair wage" initiative for the November 2006 ballot that could raise the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour, a dollar more than what the governor – and Democrats who authored a $7.75 bill last year – are asking.

"The bottom line tonight is that Democrats and Republicans, from the governor on down, are talking about programs that will get them elected, not truly help Californians. In the end, most voters know that the plans discussed tonight fall short of really helping Californians resolve their daily concerns about healthcare, pensions, fair wages and jobs," said GPCA spokesperson Pat Driscoll.

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The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org