FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Kathy Fairbanks
February 12, 2009	(916) 443-0872 / (916) 813-1010 (cell)

California Alliance for Jobs Supports Budget Framework and Urges Legislators to Quickly Pass Measure to Prevent Massive Job Losses

Sacramento, CA - Jim Earp, Executive Director of the California Alliance for Jobs, issued the following statement today in response to details of the budget framework negotiated by the Big 5.

"On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of hard-working men and women and small and large businesses of the construction industry, the California Alliance for Jobs urges legislators of both parties to quickly come together and pass the budget outlined by the Big 5.

"While this budget contains a painful mix of cuts and tax increases that nobody loves, the cost of inaction is much, much greater. Every day we wait to pass a budget means further economic devastation, the loss of thousands more jobs, and the shuttering of small businesses up and down the state.

"The time for tinkering and negotiations has long passed. It's time for legislators to pass this budget so we can move on to the important task of restoring our economy and rebuilding our infrastructure.

"We want to thank the Governor and legislative leaders for the difficult task of putting together this framework. It's now up to every single legislator to make the tough decisions they were elected to make. Pass this budget now."

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