- Sen. Dick Ackerman, R-Irvine, right, watches as fellow GOP Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria explains Wednesday why he was going to break ranks and support the budget plan. The proposal later failed.
Posted on 08/02/2007 10:20:58 AM PDT by SmithL
California senators failed in another attempt to approve a state budget Wednesday despite a pledge by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to use his line-item veto to bring the spending plan into balance.
One GOP lawmaker broke ranks with his caucus to vote for the long-delayed budget, but the remainder of Republicans were unswayed by Schwarzenegger's appeal, and the house adjourned without striking a deal.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland said he was frustrated by Republicans' unwillingness to put up the votes for a budget that Democrats have only reluctantly agreed to support. He accused Republicans of negotiating in a "dishonest" fashion after the governor agreed to address the operating deficit and other GOP concerns.
The Democratic leader sent members back to their districts and said "it's very likely" the Senate will not reconvene until the Assembly returns from summer recess on Aug. 20.
After a standoff of more than a month, state Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, said he was convinced to support the budget by a Tuesday meeting with Schwarzenegger, who he said promised to use his blue-pencil veto to reduce the operating deficit in the budget from $700 million to zero.
"The governor looked at 14 members of the Senate caucus and said, 'Yes, I will work hard to get to zero,'" Maldonado said before casting his vote. "It's been stated that a vote for this budget could cost me my re-election. ... If I lost my election because I voted for a balanced budget that doesn't raise taxes ... that's a price I'm willing to pay."
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
- Sen. Dick Ackerman, R-Irvine, right, watches as fellow GOP Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria explains Wednesday why he was going to break ranks and support the budget plan. The proposal later failed.
“Because of California’s requirement that two-thirds of the Assembly and Senate must agree on the annual budget bill, Republicans in each Democratic-controlled house must provide votes.”
This is a good idea, it seems. Cali still has a liberal big-spending budget though.
Waht is sad is that almost 2/3rds of the members of the lege *are* voting for an unbalanced budget.
What is so hard about finding $700 million to cut?
The Pubbies fighting for us taxpayers! Hmmm...they don’t trust Arnold to balance the budget? :^) Smart guys!
The truth is that CA would be better off without a budget.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
BTTT
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