CA: Speaker pleads for help to GOP

Pasadena Star News ^ | 6/7/03 | Gary Scott

[NormsRevenge]

Speaker pleads for help to GOP
Wesson, in Pasadena, stumps for votes to pass state budget
By Gary Scott, Staff Writer

PASADENA -- Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson, D- Culver City, called on city officials to tell GOP lawmakers that taxes must be increased to balance the state's $38.2 billion budget deficit.

"I'm very concerned that local government will be placed on the chopping block if we don't have a balanced approach,' Wesson told about two dozen city officials Friday at Pasadena City Hall. "We are in the worst fiscal crisis in the history of California.'

His comments came days after Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga came out against a tax increase.

Although Democrats have a majority in both houses of the Legislature, they need Republican votes to meet the two-thirds requirement to pass a budget.

"I need allies, I need friends,' Wesson said. "I'm not here to brief you, I'm here to beg.'

The meeting was arranged by Councilman Chris Holden who, until recently, earned up to $5,000 a month as Wesson's paid consultant. Wesson rescinded a number of consultant contracts after receiving public criticism.

Wesson reminded the group that he fought against cutting the Vehicle License Fee backfill, which goes to local governments. Cities and counties worry the funds will be taken to help fill the budget gap.

Friday's meeting was attended by officials from cities throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard said after the meeting that he favors a balance of tax hikes and spending cuts to balance the state budget. He said Republicans were being "too rigid' in their approach.

Bogaard also is president of the Los Angeles County division of the League of California Cities, which sponsored the meeting.

Jay Goldstone, Pasadena's finance director, said he couldn't foresee a solution that didn't involve raising taxes.

Term limits and redistricting are partly to blame for the current budget gridlock, Wesson said. They've resulted in more inexperienced legislators and elections that favor the extremes in both parties.

"It is us against them, the people be damned,' he said. "In Sacramento, we don't have a fiscal problem, we have a political problem.'

He even took a shot at himself, saying that his three years in the Assembly were not sufficient for the speaker's post.

Wesson faces a sometimes fractious Democratic caucus, but said the party will pull together to get a budget done although he wouldn't predict it would come in before the constitutional deadline of June 30.

"To me, this is a call to arms,' Wesson said about his effort to rally local leaders. "I need their help to lobby Republican members of the Legislature to help them have open minds in this negotiation.'

[NormsRevenge]

"I need allies, I need friends,' Wesson said. "I'm not here to brief you, I'm here to beg.'

Desperation Time Ping ;-)

[NormsRevenge]

State Assemblyman Herb Wesson, who is speaker of the State Assembly,spoke about the state budget crisis at Pasadena City Hall. (Staff photo by Keith Birmingham)

[Lancey Howard]

Cry me a river Herb.
Taxpayers will not be punished for the reckless spending (vote-buying) frenzy the scumbag Democrats have been on for the past four + years.
Drop dead, Herb.

[Billy_bob_bob]

Considering how the Democrats have treated the Republicans in California for the last twenty years or so, and considering how the Democrats routinely lie, cheat and steal to defend their interests (ballot boxes floating in the San Fransicko bay, etc.) I humbly suggest that the Republicans do exactly NOTHING to help the Democrats. They own that whole state, they run every single important state office, therefore let the Democrats destroy that state.

Once the flaming wreckage formerly knows as California finally sinks below the waves, maybe then people will be ready to write off the socialism of the Democrats. The Republicans have nothing to gain and lots to lose by helping the Democrats in any way. Remember what the Democrats just did in Texas? Maybe the Republicans need to take some vacation time in Las Vegas.

To quote some old-time wisdom, "They have made their bed, now let them lie in it."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

On your knees you varmit!

Thats the way I remember it in the Western Movies!

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[Lancey Howard]

Why would any Republican agree to let big government confiscate more money from Republican constituencies (ie., working, traditional American families) so that Democrats have more money to buy the votes of Democrat constituencies (ie., losers and parasites)? It would not only be politically stupid, it would be immoral.

[Lancey Howard]

The Republicans have nothing to gain and lots to lose by helping the Democrats in any way.

Great post.
BUMP

[GrandMoM]

Once the flaming wreckage formerly knows as California finally sinks below the waves,

....excuse me, that idea is most frightening, I and many nice Republicans live here. Could you wish for something less fatal??????

[Mark17]

Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard said after the meeting that he favors a balance of tax hikes and spending cuts to balance the state budget. He said Republicans were being "too rigid' in their approach.

Actually, I think the Republicans are not rigid enough. I wonder if Herb Wesson knows where the sun don't shine?

[rellimpank]

---exactly.

Regardless of what happens, the Demotraitor strategy in both Commiefornia and and New York for next year is to be pleading for a federal bailout and if refused, --"Bush doesn't care about ________."--

You fill in the blank---

[RichInOC]

Hey, Herb...go buy a couple of our guys like Willie Brown did.

[Billy_bob_bob]

I sympathize, but to be honest I don't think there is much future for intelligent, honorable and productive people in California any longer. That state has become a playground for parasites, and productive people are treated like they are a self-propelled seven course banquet. My humble advice to you and all of the other intelligent, honorable and productive people is to do what I did and leave. There are lots of other great states in this great country.

[FITZ]

Actually, I think the Republicans are not rigid enough.

Isn't it just this year's budget he's talking about? What about next year's deficits? Do they raise taxes again? If spending doesn't get cut then they'll have even a higher budget deficit next year, and the year after.....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Remember what the Democrats just did in Texas?

Maybe the Republicans need to take some vacation time in Las Vegas.

Now that's a good idea!

[FITZ]

I wonder how much California would save if they gave school vouchers to all legal citizen parents and they could choose the schools. Non citizens could pay their own way or else homeschool.

[Mark17]

higher budget deficit next year, and the year after.....

I know, I know. I think this may get a lot worse, before it gets better. I think such low thoughts of these demon cats, these scum sucking dirt bags, and I am not trying to insult dirt bags who suck scum either. Is there any doubt in your mind what I think of demon cats? And, to think I used to be one.

[concentric circles]

Wesson needs help.

He needs help understanding that to cure an addiction you have to stop the addictive behavior. The state's revenue grew by a healthy 28% since Davis's election. State spending increased by an exorbitant 36%. It's clear that spending has to be cut back.

He needs help understanding that term limits don't make a person stupid and that the redistricting he whines about was done with his party in the driver's seat.

He needs help understanding that Sacramento does have a fiscal problem and that his denial of it reeks of political doublespeak.

He needs help understanding that the political problem in Sacramento is caused by the failure of his party to recognize that, having dug themselves into a financial hole, it's time to stop digging.

[Chairman_December_19th_Society]

"I need allies, I need friends,' Wesson said. "I'm not here to brief you, I'm here to beg.'

WELCOME TO KANTAFORDIA!

Owned and destroyed by the Democrat Party - the Criminal Party of America!

[happygrl]

You and I and many nice Republicans have been outvoted by illegals, special interest groups, and assorted ignoramuses of the state. Unless and until the public gets off the notion that they can vote to pick others' pockets, we're stuck.

Perhaps the problem is the universal franchise to vote.

Much of the public is too stupid to wield their vote wisely.