Statement of Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Eric C. Bauman
on Amicus Filing in Steinberg Lawsuit

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair Eric C. Bauman today released the following statement regarding State Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Governor’s line-item vetoes:

“Today I directed LACDP’s General Counsel – Laurence Zakson of Reich Adell & Cvitan – to prepare an amicus brief in support of Senate President pro Tem Darrel Steinberg’s litigation challenging Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s unconstitutional blue pencil reductions in critical healthcare and other safety net programs. We believe that the Governor had no authority to make these unwise cuts.

“LACDP stands with Senator Steinberg, members of the legislature, local government officials, and non-government organizations in the belief that these illegal reductions put the lives of those most dependant on our government for services at great risk. It is imperative that the courts take immediate action to enjoin these devastating cuts.

“It is inconceivable to any compassionate person that the Governor would decrease funding for domestic violence programs, AIDS prevention and services for the elderly, blind and the disabled, while refusing to end tax breaks for billionaires and hugely profitable corporations like Chevron.

“The fiscal train wreck that California has become in the past six years reminds us why we must work overtime to elect a Democratic Governor in 2010.”