Posted on 06/11/2003 6:42:36 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Edited on 04/14/2004 10:06:08 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
SACRAMENTO
(Excerpt) Read more at 2.ocregister.com ...
Key Democrat leaves Gov. Davis' meeting in a huff
SACRAMENTO - On the eve of Gov. Gray Davis' deadline for lawmakers to approve a state budget blueprint, all bets appeared off Tuesday when the Legislature's top Democrat stormed out of a meeting with the governor after less than 15 minutes.
Longstanding tensions between the two Democrats -- Senate President Pro Tem John Burton of San Francisco and Davis -- have escalated in recent weeks, jeopardizing the delicate diplomacy needed to solve the state's $38 billion deficit before Sunday's constitutional deadline for legislative passage.
Tuesday's developments all but scuttled any chance of meeting Davis' self-imposed deadline of today, but the governor remained upbeat that California would have a spending plan in place by the start of the new fiscal year.
``While I don't think we made progress today, I am still optimistic that I'll be able to sign a budget by July 1,'' Davis said in a conference call with reporters.
Until now, these budget discussions between the Legislature's top four leaders and the governor -- known as the Big Five -- have been described as largely cordial. But they have produced few tangible signs that differences between Democrats and Republicans have been bridged.
Tuesday, tempers flared. According to several accounts of those present, Burton and the governor exchanged obscenities before the unabashed liberal senator said he'd had enough and walked out.
At least two people in the room downplayed the afternoon breakdown, which they described as part of the annual budget ritual and typical of Burton's outspoken style.
``I was not alarmed,'' said one person, who characterized Burton's blowup as ``partly theatrics.''
Davis declined to label Burton's demeanor, saying he respects the veteran senator and admires ``his passion and tenacity.'' At another point, he said, ``to know John is to love him.''
For his part, Burton denied that his abrupt departure was because of a spat with Davis. He said it was because of a ``pain in his side,'' and added, ``I stand by my story.''
In the closed-door meeting -- which continued for at least 45 minutes more without Burton -- Republicans strongly argued against any tax increases as part of a budget solution. Davis has proposed a deficit-spending plan that includes $10.7 billion in borrowing to be repaid by a temporary half-cent sales tax increase.
The Big Five were supposed to provide guidance to legislative budget writers meeting late Tuesday. Instead, one by one legislative leaders emerged from the governor's office to report little progress.
Relations between Burton and Davis have been strained ever since Davis vetoed a bill this spring to release thousands of prisoners early to save the state $70 million. Burton had pushed for the prison cuts, so in return he stalled final passage of a Davis-backed bill to halt $324 million in cost-of-living increases for the poor, elderly and disabled. As a result of the inaction, the state is likely to have to pay the federal government at least $11 million.
And if Democrats can't agree, it casts further doubt on a quick budget resolution. Still, Davis insisted the back-and-forth was just part of the ``zigzags'' along the path to a budget.
``These meetings are like playing the accordion,'' Davis said. ``Sometimes we are coming very close together . . . sometimes we seem far apart.''
FRom the Sac Bee
With a pivotal deadline fast approaching, state budget talks broke down Tuesday when a top Democrat stormed out of a key meeting and others declared their frustration that the group had made no progress toward an agreement over deep cuts and tax increases.
The apparently fruitless closed-door gathering came five days before a June 15 constitutional deadline for the Legislature to approve a budget and with Wall Street closely watching how California plans to fill an unprecedented budget hole.
Legislative leaders and Gov. Gray Davis emerged from the meeting doubting that Sunday's deadline will be met, fueling questions whether Democrats and Republicans could smooth over their political differences before the July 1 start of the fiscal year.
"I, for one, am a little disappointed that we are not further along," Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson said after the reportedly rancorous meeting.
In years past, the meetings have been used to hash out agreements on major issues such as tax increases and proposed health and transportation cuts.
But Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, known for his volatility and cursing, abruptly left after less than 15 minutes, declaring, "I just don't think talking, talking, talking is going to do it anymore."
It's not the forum where a budget agreement will be reached, Burton said.
He and others also expressed doubts that the Sunday deadline, which has only been met four times in the past quarter-century, would be met this year.
"I've never believed in the June 15 deadline," Burton said. "June 30 is the end of the fiscal year and that's the deadline."
After the meeting, Davis told reporters he was unsure he could persuade Republican lawmakers to cast enough votes to approve a budget containing tax increases.
"There were some earlier meetings in which I believed they would. If you had to ask me today, I would say they wouldn't," Davis said. "While I don't think we made progress today, I am still optimistic that I'll be able to sign a budget by July 1."
The sticking point, according to those who attended, continues to be Davis' proposal to raise taxes for smokers, shoppers and the wealthy to help fill a budget shortfall expected to swell to $38 billion. Republicans have called for a budget that relies on cuts and up to $10 billion in borrowing, but no tax increases.
"It is obvious to me that we don't have a fiscal problem, we have a political problem," Wesson said.
Assembly GOP leader Dave Cox of Fair Oaks said the Republican position on taxes has not changed.
"Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't seem to understand that there are not six votes in the Assembly Republican caucus for tax increases," Cox said.
Democrats hold a majority in both houses of the Legislature, but Republican votes are needed in each chamber to achieve the required two-thirds approval of a budget.
Meanwhile, a two-house committee working through other budget issues continued to meet into the night Tuesday -- two days past the deadline its chairwoman set for the group to complete its work.
The committee was working to reconcile disagreements on routine items in the budget while leaders meet on broader issues.
But the conference committee has failed to shave substantially from a legislative plan that restored dollars that the Democratic governor proposed to cut from health and other programs, and Republicans complained they are being shut out of the process.
Love to wake up to the sound of rats imploding
Right.
LVM
Isn't this only true if there are tax increases involed? When I lived in CA I believe that was the case. I could be wrong but I think this is BS.
No, a budget requires a 2/3 vote to pass, and so do any bills that contain tax increases. Those are two separate requirements in the state constitution.
calgov2002:
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Now that is an attitude problem!
I've heard those cain't pass the metalurgy stress test! Makes one wonder if Burton has any nuts that can stand the test, either!!!
WE Need to flush all these bastards in 2004!
So far, he's been exhibiting nerves of steel in his minority leadership position. One of the "Big 5" already... Holy Toledo! The PRESSURE!!!
I'm too new oput here, I don't know any of thoise guys personally, but I did see Danna Rohrbacher in a local parade!
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