State Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) issued the following statement today regarding a budget agreement reached between Governor Brown and legislative leaders:

“I am pleased Governor Brown and legislative leaders came to an agreement on the 2015-16 state budget.
 
“The budget is prudent and responsible and reflects the Legislature’s priorities of investing in the people of our great state by providing increased funding for education, public safety, and healthcare, while paying down the state’s long-term debt and setting aside more resources for our rainy day fund.
 
“Specifically, the budget includes billions more than last year for K-12 and community colleges, provides more funding to CSU and UC, and invests in our young people by providing more CalGrant scholarships to attend college. We know that providing an affordable quality public education for our children is vital to our state’s future and economic prosperity.
 
“This budget helps working families by providing an earned income tax credit, more slots for affordable childcare and increased access to healthcare. This budget will keep California strong.
 
“Additionally, I welcome Governor Brown’s call for special sessions to address the state’s critical and long overdue transportation infrastructure needs, and create sustainable healthcare financing.”