The Butte County Republican Party urges the swift passage of a state budget with real reforms. First we must cut duplicative agencies like Cal EPA, which costs the state more than $2 billion annually. Then we should sell oil drilling rights off our coastlines, which are estimated to be worth $10 billion.

Next we must deal with illegal immigration, which costs our state over $11 billion annually. We can start by deporting illegal immigrants in our prisons and denying welfare to non-citizens.

Finally, while California has 12 percent of our nation’s population, we carry 30 percent of the welfare burden. Clearly cuts must be made so that our state will no longer be a magnet for those who won’t work. Letting counties determine their own rate of welfare payment would be a good start.

These cuts and revenues would total at least $20 billion, roughly our current deficit, without any further tax increases on the people. Anyone who agrees or has other ideas should visit us at www.butterepublicans.com, or attend the next TEA Party and express your views.

— Steve Thompson, Biggs