Skelton: Lawmakers should restore dental care
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Democrats and special interests have a long wish list of government programs they want to spend more on now that California’s budget crisis has faded. They hope to use the latest report from the nonpartisan legislative analyst, who forecast more tax revenue than Gov. Jerry Brown has predicted, as ammunition to support their spending increases.
In his Thursday column, George Skelton plots out how he would use the money if he were handed the purse strings.
“The politicians should break out the checkbook for at least one new expenditure: restoring adult dental care for poor people,” he writes. “It would be unconscionable not to.”
The idea has been championed by Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), but it’s also received some support across the aisle, including from Sen. Bill Emmerson (R-Hemet).
“Emergency rooms are overwhelmed as it is,” Emmerson said. “Dental care can be done more efficiently in Medi-Cal programs.”
All of Skelton’s columns are here.
ALSO:
Jerry Brown dismisses ‘kerfuffle’ over tax forecasts
Brown unveils cautious budget for deficit-free state
Analyst disputes Brown’s budget outlook as too glum
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