Americans for Prosperity California denounces the new public employee contract agreement approved by the State Senate yesterday. With the state facing a $15 billion budget gap and pensions threatening to completely wipe out state and local government finances, the deal is further evidence legislators have no interest in addressing the state’s fiscal crises.

“In particular, we are appalled that two Republicans joined with the majority party and approved these contracts,” stated State Director David Spady. “Senators Sam Blakeslee and Anthony Cannella just proved that they aren’t willing to take a stand for taxpayers and are instead a rubber stamp for business as usual in Sacramento.”

Just last month AFP California aired radio ads in Cannella’s district, urging him to protect taxpayers by refusing to vote for a budget with higher taxes. The response in Cannella’s district was strong and forceful; his constituents want real pension reform and responsible spending—not higher taxes or union pay-offs.

“As the state’s largest grassroots taxpayer advocacy organization, we are more than prepared to educate constituents in Blakeslee and Cannella’s districts,” commented State Chairman Peter Foy. “These citizens deserve to know exactly what their representatives are doing and how little they respect taxpayers by giving away their tax dollars to special interest groups.”

AFP California is currently engaged in an extensive pension reform tour, traveling the state to educate Californians about the pension crisis. To learn more about the tour, visit www.GovernmentPensionAbuse.com.