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California: Lawmakers' hush-hush talk broadcast live
Sacramento Bee ^ | July 22, 2003 | Alexa H. Bluth

Posted on 07/22/2003 7:05:37 AM PDT by John Jorsett

Edited on 04/12/2004 5:53:00 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

Unbeknown to them, a group of Assembly Democrats' private gab session about the state budget impasse -- including the political implications of accepting a Republican-driven spending plan without tax hikes -- was broadcast across the Capitol on Monday. Part of the more than hourlong conversation rang out on a broadcast system available inside the Capitol and to subscribers outside the building -- including media and lobbyists. Alerted to the mix-up, Republican staffers recorded about 15 minutes of the conversation and later supplied a partial transcript to reporters.


(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: calgov2002; knife; oops

1 posted on 07/22/2003 7:05:37 AM PDT by John Jorsett
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Ping
2 posted on 07/22/2003 7:05:56 AM PDT by John Jorsett
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To: John Jorsett
LOLOLOL
3 posted on 07/22/2003 7:14:46 AM PDT by OldFriend ((Dems inhabit a parallel universe))
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To: OldFriend
Proposition 13 "is damaging" to California? Tell that to California voters. Its more evidence of just how much the political class is out of touch with reality in the Golden State.
4 posted on 07/22/2003 7:20:21 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: John Jorsett
Discussed on 640 AM in Los Angeles.

http://www.kfi640.com
5 posted on 07/22/2003 7:20:47 AM PDT by TheDon (Why do liberals always side with the enemies of the US?)
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To: John Jorsett
How long until this turns into an investigation of the Republicans violation of Federal wiretapping statutes or some other baloney?
6 posted on 07/22/2003 7:21:57 AM PDT by The G Man (The left hates Bush more than they love America)
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To: John Jorsett
From what I've read earlier, the SacBee has chosen to leave out quite a few choice comments regarding some of these representatives' feelings towards their electorate.
7 posted on 07/22/2003 7:26:30 AM PDT by babyface00
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To: The G Man
They didn't wiretap. It was broadcast by the Democrats themselves.
8 posted on 07/22/2003 7:27:21 AM PDT by Leonard210
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To: Leonard210
The Democrats "forgot" to turn off the microphone.
9 posted on 07/22/2003 7:28:43 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: John Jorsett
"Some of us are thinking that maybe people should see the pain up close and personal, right now," said Goldberg

Proves the Democrats in the Kalifornia legislature really care for the WELL BEING of the PEOPLE. Let's hope the Republicans use these remarks by the Dems to kill the issue of a 55% majority needed to raise taxes.

10 posted on 07/22/2003 7:37:21 AM PDT by drypowder
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To: Leonard210
They didn't wiretap. It was broadcast by the Democrats themselves.

Since when do the facts matter?

11 posted on 07/22/2003 7:45:22 AM PDT by The G Man (The left hates Bush more than they love America)
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To: John Jorsett
"Some of us are thinking that maybe people should see the pain up close and personal, right now,"


If we had an honest news media, this quote would be running every hour on the top of the news, we don't and it will be buried.

This is the most honest statement I have ever heard a Democrat make. This is their game plan for everything. Screw things up to the point it hurts, and the public will buy any solution you come up with.

At one time California had the greatest freeway system in the world. The left decided we should not use cars. They begin to shut down funding on new freeways, and freeway repairs. The goal was/is to make it as painful as possible to drive, so we would give up our automobiles.

Time for budget cuts, the first thing they propose cutting is Police, and Fire. Why, because they want us to feel the pain of not giving them all of our money.

Does anyone believe that if they did not have the few breaks that the Republican's have put on their spending that the budget would be in worse shape, either that or our taxes would he higher.

Tax and spend is the only thing any Democrat can deliver, regardless of what they promise.

12 posted on 07/22/2003 7:46:50 AM PDT by CIB-173RDABN
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To: John Jorsett
This should be the lead story for every newspaper, radio and TV outlet in the state. Yet even here it isn't in breaking news.

This is a major smoking gun, the type 1994 landslides are built on. The democrats are caught on tape plotting how they can harm California and lie to the people -- causing harm and then blaming on the republicans -- solely for political gain.
Of course they are trying to spin it now, but that they had been caught in something serious was made clear when they were informed that the microphone was on and Goldberg's immediate reaction was "Oh *$!#$#"

13 posted on 07/22/2003 7:50:35 AM PDT by ZGuy
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To: goldstategop
In other words, we must punish the voters.......
14 posted on 07/22/2003 8:13:21 AM PDT by OldFriend ((Dems inhabit a parallel universe))
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To: John Jorsett
If the GOP were caught saying something like this the media would immediately be calling for their resignation. It would be the subjectof various editorial pages. The double standard is so obvious it is sickening.
15 posted on 07/22/2003 9:38:58 AM PDT by Uncle Hal
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To: John Jorsett
"Some of us are thinking that maybe people should see the pain up close and personal, right now," said Goldberg,

She is one of the most despicable people in politics today. Hopefully the people will show her the pain of joblessness real soon.

16 posted on 07/22/2003 9:44:31 AM PDT by monkeyshine
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To: John Jorsett
California Dems plot "budget crisis", overheard on open mike

Let’s which story gets more air time: Bush’s “Clymer” remark, or this open mic gaff.

17 posted on 07/22/2003 10:13:19 AM PDT by TankerKC (If corn oil comes from corn, where does baby oil come from?)
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To: John Jorsett
Goldberg criticized Republicans for recording the session and alerting reporters. ``That's the kind of stuff that makes you think there are no ethics in this place,'' she said.

Just plain silly!

18 posted on 07/22/2003 10:20:35 AM PDT by TankerKC (If corn oil comes from corn, where does baby oil come from?)
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To: John Jorsett
Goldberg criticized Republicans for recording the session and alerting reporters. ``That's the kind of stuff that makes you think there are no ethics in this place,'' she said.

Just plain silly!

19 posted on 07/22/2003 10:20:41 AM PDT by TankerKC (If corn oil comes from corn, where does baby oil come from?)
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To: John Jorsett; *calgov2002; PeoplesRep_of_LA; Canticle_of_Deborah; NormsRevenge; snopercod; ...
Always good to get the Rats and their tactics exposed !

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register



20 posted on 07/22/2003 11:04:49 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: John Jorsett
I can say with pride that my representative, Assemblyman John Laird, was front and center in that conversation.

Thanks John! We really appreciate the candor.
21 posted on 07/22/2003 11:07:40 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (California! See how low WE can go!)
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FRom a pdf off Yahoo!

EXCEPTS FROM DEMOCRATIC STUDY GROUP DISCUSSION

July 21, 2003

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: Hannah-Beth, are you saying that if we don’t take it to the point if we don’t get more revenues, we do not support a budget that has an additional $1.5 billion worth of cuts. … At least to start it off at the point of discussion

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …the question is how are they going to formulate the budget they are going to send over to us. Where’s the next $1.5 billion in cuts going to come from?

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: I understand that, Hannah-Beth. My point is, given that we know we are not going to get new revenues the, is what we’re saying that we just want to have input as to where those cuts are going to be or are we saying we don’t support cuts that deeply into this budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …The question is, I think we’re looking at $1.5 billion worth of cuts …

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Dymally]: Hannah-Beth, …what are we asking, what are we saying to the Senate folks?

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …We want to know what your plan is…what are you proposing?…the reality is that when the Senate sends it over to us, it is going … it is going to be a problem in 04-05. We want them to respect our input so that we can go out when we do get a budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Nunez: No. But, you know, there’s a very responsible perspective to that, in that precipitating the crisis does not necessarily mean that -- if you’re thinking about this is, the strategy for the 55 percent, all the polls, all the polls suggest that if you don’t have a budget, that it lent itself to help support the effort for the 55 percent. That’s what the proponents say -CTA and the others - are saying about that. In addition, in terms of the recall, the extent to which the Governor can do a good job of making a connection between having no budget and the1

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: Hannah-Beth, are you saying that if we don’t take it to the point if we don’t get more revenues, we do not support a budget that has an additional $1.5 billion worth of cuts. … At least to start it off at the point of discussion

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …the question is how are they going to formulate the budget they are going to send over to us. Where’s the next $1.5 billion in cuts going to come from?

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: I understand that, Hannah-Beth. My point is, given that we know we are not going to get new revenues the, is what we’re saying that we just want to have input as to where those cuts are going to be or are we saying we don’t support cuts that deeply into this budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …The question is, I think we’re looking at $1.5 billion worth of cuts …

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Dymally]: Hannah-Beth, …what are we asking, what are we saying to the Senate folks?

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …We want to know what your plan is…what are you proposing?…the reality is that when the Senate sends it over to us, it is going … it is going to be a problem in 04-05. We want them to respect our input so that we can go out when we do get a budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Nunez: No. But, you know, there’s a very responsible perspective to that, in that precipitating the crisis does not necessarily mean that -- if you’re thinking about this is, the strategy for the 55 percent, all the polls, all the polls suggest that if you don’t have a budget, that it lent itself to help support the effort for the 55 percent. That’s what the proponents say -CTA and the others - are saying about that. In addition, in terms of the recall, the extent to which the Governor can do a good job of making a connection between having no budget and the1

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: Hannah-Beth, are you saying that if we don’t take it to the point if we don’t get more revenues, we do not support a budget that has an additional $1.5 billion worth of cuts. … At least to start it off at the point of discussion

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …the question is how are they going to formulate the budget they are going to send over to us. Where’s the next $1.5 billion in cuts going to come from?

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Nunez]: I understand that, Hannah-Beth. My point is, given that we know we are not going to get new revenues the, is what we’re saying that we just want to have input as to where those cuts are going to be or are we saying we don’t support cuts that deeply into this budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …The question is, I think we’re looking at $1.5 billion worth of cuts …

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Dymally]: Hannah-Beth, …what are we asking, what are we saying to the Senate folks?

* * *

Assemblymember Jackson: …We want to know what your plan is…what are you proposing?…the reality is that when the Senate sends it over to us, it is going … it is going to be a problem in 04-05. We want them to respect our input so that we can go out when we do get a budget….

* * *

Assemblymember Nunez: No. But, you know, there’s a very responsible perspective to that, in that precipitating the crisis does not necessarily mean that -- if you’re thinking about this is, the strategy for the 55 percent, all the polls, all the polls suggest that if you don’t have a budget, that it lent itself to help support the effort for the 55 percent. That’s what the proponents say -CTA and the others - are saying about that. In addition, in terms of the recall, the extent to which the Governor can do a good job of making a connection between having no budget and the2 Republican [inaud] on the recall -- I don’t know if any of you have heard the Darrell Issa commercials on the radio, but they’re all about the budget. It’s all about what’s going on right now. That’s why he wants to be governor. And he’s saying “we don’t have a budget because of Gray Davis.” The folks that are heading up the anti-recall effort think if you don’t have the budget, it helps Democrats in the recall effort. If you don’t have a budget, it helps Democrats on the 55 percent. So if you’re looking strictly at outcomes in terms of how we’re preparing and gearing ourselves to win the war on the 55 percent, there are, [inaud] I mean, there’s…

* * *

Assemblymember Goldberg: The question that I have, is that - and I go back to both ‘92 and to ‘78 - when people never saw what, they never got to see really up front and close what Prop 13 really did. Because what we did in education was is that teachers started subsidizing their classrooms, and we cut out art and we cut out music and we cut out drama and we cut out sports in some areas and, cut out tutoring and [inaud] teachers and we raised class size. And people thought: look, schools are all still open, this didn’t hurt anyone. Some of us are thinking that maybe people should see the pain up close and personal, right now.

* * *

Assemblymember Goldberg: …they are 10, 10, and 5 over there. Ten want to hold out for [inaud], ten want to [inaud], and five [inaud]. We’re going to try and find out tomorrow where we are. “

* * *

Assemblymember Goldberg: But we have to figure out what we do think. And I do think it has to be in line with two things, and that’s one of the reasons that I asked Mr. Dymally to get us together. One is how it impacts the 55 percent proposition. And secondly whether or not - if there’s going to be a crisis to happen - if there’s going to be a crisis, whether it should be this year or next year, in terms of members of our House who want to get re-elected, in terms of members of our House who [inaud]. Personally, I think the crisis is better off this year than next year. But that’s a discussion that I just want to make sure you have, and that’s happens, and that’s why [inaud]…

* * *

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Laird]: …to talk with her about the budget and see if that’s the thing that we feel like those concerns have been removed and that it’s worked as a political strategy. If we got every Dem but Marco and Richman to go up on it, and suddenly … I mean that’s the first line that can be crossed in public. Politically, there’s some statements. And if the Senate is about to send something worse, they might be in a better position and it might even force the out-year issue. I think that’s a strategy worth taking a hard look at. And maybe an intermediate step is meeting with them to see if, strategy-wise, if that is something worth recommending to this group. And should we toss that out?

Assemblymember Goldberg: I will say that Canciamilla reported that Richman would not go for that budget. I hear that if it didn’t include a commitment on workers’ comp -- 17200 and other structural needs.

Unidentified Assemblymember: So technically it’s (inaude)

Assemblymember Goldberg: So here’s the question.

Unidentified Assemblymember: You said both of those and some other structure.

Assemblymember Dymally: Alan? Alan?

Assemblymember Jackson: We need to also keep in mind there is another factor here. We’ve got a problem. Excuse me, but don’t Mr. Brulte and Mr. Cox dislike each other? So, will Cox automatically accept a Brulte budget, or is there something else?

Unidentified Assemblymember: That’s another story

Assemblymember Jackson: Well, yes that is another story.

Unidentified Assemblymember [possibly Levine]: It’s our story. It’s our story. If we’re sitting there getting hit. At some point, the decision, as John said, has got to be 28 Republicans or 26 Dems; it’s really their budget. So, that more Republicans go up and yet the Cox/Brulte thing – you know, they hate each other – because… I don’t want to go up on that budget.

Assemblymember Goldberg: Yes

Assemblymember Laird: And whether it’s two of us who have less than 50 percent Dems in our district that have high green turnouts or something like that. You know (inaudible).

Assemblymember Goldberg: It’s up to my successor…..

Unidentified Assemblymember: Yes, that’s not where we need to be put up our budget. So, there needs to be a lot of Republicans up to give some people a pass and the Cox-Brulte thing is very much trouble.

Assemblymember Goldberg: That won’t happen. I think it’s very unlikely that a Democrat will get a pass on any of these budgets. I just don’t think that’s going to happen. If I might just say, I think Allan and Patty both worked on that budget didn’t you? I think it would be wonderful if we could find out in Canciamilla and Richman.

Unidentified Staffer: Excuse me, guys, you can be heard outside.

Assemblymember Goldberg: Oh, shit.

Unidentified Staffer: The squawk box is on – you need to turn it off right there.

Assemblymember Goldberg: How could that happen?

22 posted on 07/22/2003 5:15:02 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...&&&&&&&&&... SuPPort FRee Republic)
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FRom Yahoo!

http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34&in=us&cat=democratic_party

Open Mic Catches California Democrats
(AP) - Unaware that a live microphone was broadcasting their words around the Capitol, Assembly Democrats meeting behind closed doors debated prolonging California's budget crisis for political gain. Members of the coalition of liberal Democrats talked about slowing progress on the budget as a means of increasing pressure on Republicans. A microphone had been left on during the closed meeting Monday, and the conversation was transmitted to about 500 "squawk boxes" that enable staff members, lobbyists and reporters to listen in on legislative meetings. More...


23 posted on 07/22/2003 9:57:56 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...&&&&&&&&&... SuPPort FRee Republic)
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