REBOOTING
CALIFORNIA: INITIATIVES, CONVENTIONS AND GOVERNMENT REFORM
News Headlines on
California's Budget Crisis
Last updated: September 17, 2010
California budget
stalemate now longest ever (09/17/2010) San
Francisco Chronicle
"The impasse over solving California's
$19 billion budget deficit reached an inglorious milestone today when it
officially became the longest stalemate over the state budget in history,
though some lawmakers think it may end soon."
click here to read more...
A budget deal is imminent! Oh, wait. Maybe not. (09/16/2010) Los Angeles Times
"For about 10 minutes on Thursday night it looked like a deal to pass CaliforniaÕs long overdue state budget was imminent. Democratic leaders emerged from three-hour meeting with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to deliver the most upbeat news of this budget season. They expected a deal "tomorrow or by the weekend at the latest," said Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento)."
Schwarzenegger drops idea to borrow from CalPERS to balance budget (09/16/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic and Republican legislative leaders huddled for about three hours today to hammer out a long-delayed budget deal and bridge a $19 billion deficit."
Budget +78: Back At It (09/16/2010) KQED News: Capitol Notes
"Chances are that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's body clock is still many time zones ahead of ours -- in fact, it's already the 79th day of the state budget impasse in the countries where he spent most of the past week on a trade mission promoting California."
California budget impasse about to become longest ever (09/15/2010) Associated Press
"California lawmakers are on the brink of setting a record, but it's not one that is likely to boost their abysmal approval ratings among voters."
Budget Delay Day 77: Schwarzenegger to return as state approaches ominous record (09/15/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger flew out of Sacramento for his six-day jaunt through Asia, Democratic legislative leaders declined to criticize his trip abroad, arguing that modern technology could keep the leaders fully connected, even if the governor was thousands of miles away."
Mid-Week Review While Awaiting the Budget (09/15/2010) Fox & Hounds
"The budget is 77 days late. No one seems to care except those state vendors who are borrowing to stay afloat, state workers, those who keep tabs on records (we're nearing one) or have a bet in the Sacramento Bee budget prediction game."
Propping Up California's Budget (09/13/2010) California Alumni Association
"Nobody ever called Howard Jarvis elegant or subtle. He was a gruff, curmudgeonly sort from the Republican political grassroots who had no problem saying what he meant, loudly and often profanely."
Dan Morain: For most of us, it's 'Budget crisis? What crisis?' (09/12/2010) Sacramento Bee
"By now, you would think that California's budget follies might have elicited mild concern, perhaps a little alarm, maybe even a passing wave of panic. This is, after all, Day 74 of the impasse. "
Californians Buried in Government Debt (09/10/2010) Fox & Hounds
"Remember the federal "economic stimulus" bill that was supposed to curtail job losses and prevent our economy from failing?"
Controller: State IOUs on hold until at least October (09/09/2010) Los Angeles Times
"California is expected to have sufficient cash in its dwindling treasury to avoid issuing IOUs this month, the stateÕs controller said in his monthly cash report on Thursday."
Budget +70: Going The Distance? (09/08/2010) KQED
News: Capitol Notes
"No one involved in crafting a new spending plan for state government will say so, but it's starting to feel safe to assume that the 2010 impasse will end up being the longest fiscal fight in California history -- not exactly a feather in the cap of any politician here in Sacramento."
Schwarzenegger upbeat about budget negotiation, eggs (09/07/2010) Sacramento Bee
"After meeting with legislative leaders this morning, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this afternoon that the mood is "pretty good" in negotiations to resolve the state's budget impasse."
California high court to hear arguments on Wednesday on governor's
furlough power
(09/05/2010) San Jose Mercury News
"The California Supreme Court is set to grapple at a hearing in San Francisco Wednesday with whether the governor has the power to furlough tens of thousands of state workers in response to the Golden State's budget crisis."
Governor holds budget summit (09/03/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called a last-minute
session with Democratic and Republican leaders Thursday afternoon in his
Capitol office, a day after downplaying such "Big Five" meetings."
click here to read more...
Day 64: Schwarzenegger meets with leaders, but still no budget (09/02/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger called a last-minute session with Democratic and Republican
leaders Thursday afternoon in his Capitol office, a day after downplaying such
"Big Five" meetings. Leaders sounded upbeat but remained vague after
convening behind closed doors for about an hour."
click
here to read more...
California budget vote produces no results (09/01/2010) Sacramento Bee
"For only the second time in 34 years, state lawmakers have reached September without passing a budget."
Dan Walters: Hot air on budget ends California's legislative year (09/01/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Both legislative houses voted Tuesday on competing
versions of the long-stalemated state budget after hours of flowery debate. The
net result was zero, as everyone knew in advance that neither could muster the
required votes."
click here to read more...
Budget debate done, spending plan nowhere in sight (08/31/2010) Los
Angeles Times
"What we are doing is not real," said Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield). "This budget will not pass."
California lawmakers' budget vote mostly symbolic (08/31/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Nothing like waiting until the last minute.
Today is the final day of regular legislative session, so lawmakers decided it might be a good time to convene the summer's first floor vote on the state budget. The same budget that was supposed to have been passed 77 days ago."
Two Budget Votes Are
Not Enough (08/30/2010) Fox & Hounds
"The scheduled votes Tuesday on two disparate budget plans for California -- one put forth by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the other by legislative Democrats -- are fine as far as they go but they do not go far enough. There should be votes on many possible budget plans."
Many feel effects of state budget delays
(08/29/2010) Sacramento Bee
"California has gone nearly two months without a state
budget as Republicans and Democrats struggle to find agreement."
click
here to read more...
UC, USC, community college chiefs plead for quick budget passage (08/29/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Chancellors say that without a state budget, 'We are operating with a blindfold on.' The delay has already forced campuses to borrow money and threatened some students' enrollment and financial aid."
Legislature set to vote on budget proposals (08/28/2010) San Francisco Chronicle
"The Legislature will vote on two competing budget proposals next week, lawmakers announced Friday, though neither is likely to be approved as the impasse at the Capitol is set to move into its third month."
State budget vote scheduled for Tuesday (08/27/2010) Los
Angeles Times
"A vote on competing state budget proposals is scheduled for Tuesday in both the Assembly and state Senate, lawmakers in both houses said Friday."
State budget delay creates trouble for California colleges (08/27/2010) Mercury
News
"As California enters its ninth week without a budget, state higher education leaders said Friday the delay is creating financial problems and uncertainty for public colleges and universities."
Legislature to cote on dueling budget plans—no pact in sight (08/27/2010) Sacramento Bee
"There's no budget agreement in sight, but lawmakers next Tuesday will vote on dueling spending plans by Democrats and Republicans."
Day 57: Leaders to
gather in rare 'Big 5' meeting (08/26/2010) Los Angeles Times
"For the first time in more than two months, the Legislature's four leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will meet face-to-face this afternoon to discuss CaliforniaÕs still missing state budget."
Budget nowhere in sight (08/25/2010) Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
"Nearly eight weeks into the new fiscal year, California
lawmakers aren't even pretending they're close to approving a state
budget."
Budget +55: "Robbed Blind" (08/24/2010) KQED News: Capitol Notes
"You never can tell whether a ratcheting up of rhetoric in the annual budget impasse means the fight is escalating... or coming to an end."
State fiscal leaders defer payments to schools, governments (08/23/2010) Sacramento Bee
"In the absence of a state budget, the state's three fiscal leaders announced today they plan to defer payments to schools and counties one month earlier than planned to bolster the state's cash situation."
State missed $2.5-billion payment to schools because of
budget delay (08/23/2010) Los Angeles Times
"California's top fiscal officials Monday ordered the deferral of $2.5 billion in payments to the stateÕs public schools next month to conserve cash and stave off the need to begin issuing IOUs."
Budget +54: Swaps And Swipes? (08/23/2010) KQED
News: Capitol Notes
"It should be noted at the outset that when budget deals are struck, things happen fast. It can be a matter of hours or days between a handshake and a signature on an enacted spending plan."
Holding budget ransom may be Schwarzenegger's last hope (08/22/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Governor has been pushing fiscal changes since he took office — among them, pension cutbacks, spending constraints and a tax-system overhaul. He hasn't made much headway with the hostile Legislature."
Day 50: A bipartisan lunch, but still no budget (08/19/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Fifty days into the fiscal year and no budget in hand, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger invited the top two Democrats in the Legislature to lunch Thursday, hoping to make some progress on the stateÕs stalled spending plan."
California budget progress? It's nil (08/19/2010) Los
Angeles Times
"Voters have gotten used to a scandalously late state budget, and legislators aren't feeling pressured. They need to get down to business - now."
Capitol protest of proposed budget cuts blocks street; 22 arrested (08/19/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Almost two dozen protesters opposing proposed budget cuts to In-Home Supportive Services and other state programs were arrested Wednesday after they and others blocked a street next to the state Capitol."
State controller: IOUs in 'two to four weeks' (08/18/2010) Los
Angeles Times
"State Controller John Chiang said California was only "two to four weeks" away from issuing IOUs for the second consecutive year as the state budget is now more than a month and a half overdue."
Viewpoints: Require the budget to be for two years (08/18/2010) Sacramento Bee
"As one lifelong Democrat and former Assembly speaker and one former budget director to a Republican governor, it's not likely that the two of us would ever agree with each other on how to best resolve the state's budget dilemma."
$4 billion separates Republicans and Democrats in budget
negotiations (08/16/2010) CA Forward
"Over a month and a half past the constitutional
deadline to enact a budget, only $4 billion is separating Republicans and
Democrats in their negotiations. Only."
Are we close to getting a deal? (08/15/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"We're more than 40 days into the state government's new fiscal year. Democrats and Republicans still can't agree on how to close the state's estimated $19 billion deficit."
California stimulus watchdog faults state agency for not spending money (08/14/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Almost a year after being awarded $25 million in federal money to make state buildings more energy efficient, the California Department of General Services has spent less than 1 percent of the money, according to the state's overseer of federal stimulus funds."
Steinberg's bottom line: No deep cuts to schools, welfare (08/13/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"Always the negotiator, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg says he usually doesn't take anything off the table for discussion.
But the Sacramento Democrat says he's doing so now on cuts that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and GOP lawmakers seek for schools and welfare-to-work programs.'
What the State Controller Can and Cannot Pay Without an Enacted Budget (08/13/2010) California State Controller's Office
"$2,190,870,000.00
That's the amount in unpaid bills the state will accrue if it does not enact a budget by the end of this month, according to State Controller John Chiang. While it might be premature to speculate on the budget debacle extending into September, Senate Republican Leader-Elect Bob Dutton is giving Big 5 leaders until September 3 before he steps in to replace current Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth."
Budget +43: Impasse
Yes, Furloughs No (For Now) (08/12/2010) KQED News: Capital Notes
"It's a tired old adage that "It's always darkest just before dawn," and yet that's the usual course of summer budget impasses here at the state Capitol. Just when the problem seems most unfixable, a deal is struck and everyone shakes hands."
Day 43: California budget standoff now state's fifth-longest (08/12/2010) Los Angeles
"The gridlock in Sacramento reached a new height – or low – on Thursday, as the standoff among state lawmakers became the fifth-longest in modern California history."
Whitman blasts lawmakers for budget delay (08/12/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman blasted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature on Thursday for failing to pass a state budget. And she promised to use a firm hand with lawmakers if sheÕs elected."
Education groups no longer support Democratic budget plan (08/12/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Sometimes in Sacramento, things need to move further apart before they can come together.
If that's true, then maybe what's been happening in state budget negotiations this week can be seen as progress. First, Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta) said negotiations should start over if there is no deal in place before he hands over the reins of his caucus to incoming Senate GOP leader Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) in early September."
Experts praise state Dems' tax plan (08/12/2010) San Francisco Chronicle
"A budget plan pushed by Democrats in the Legislature to solve California's $19 billion deficit would hit some middle-income residents with tax increases, the Legislative Analyst's Office said Wednesday, but it would benefit shoppers, retailers and auto dealers."
Dan Walters: Tax reform is in the eye of the beholder (08/12/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"Everyone in the Capitol knows that a major factor in the state's perennial budget crises is that revenues go up and down like a yo-yo, but its spending commitments have become increasingly rigid."
Democrats' plan raises middle-class taxes, analyst says (08/12/2010) Los Angeles Times
"A new Democratic tax swap plan would raise taxes on middle-class Californians, counter to Democratic assertions that it would lower taxes for all income groups, a nonpartisan state analyst said Wednesday."
Hollingsworth: GOP leadership would restart budget talks (08/11/2010) Riverside Press-Enterprise
"Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth said today he still plans to hand over the leadership reins to state Sen. Bob Dutton on Sept. 1 "rain or shine, budget or no budget.""
http://blogs.pe.com/politics/2010/08/hollingsworth-gop-leadership-c.html
Senate GOP power shift could come in middle of budget fight (08/11/2010) Los Angeles Times
"The old adage about changing horses in mid-stream apparently doesn't apply to the Senate Republican Caucus.
Among the issues complicated by the ongoing budget stalemate is the Republican leadership transition that is scheduled for the start of September. In May, a memo from the Senate GOP leadership to the caucus announced that current Senate GOP leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta) would hand over power to incoming GOP leader Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) on Sept 1."
California's revenue down, state spending up in July (08/10/2010) Sacramento Bee
"California still lacks a 2010-11 state budget but its deficit is already widening as revenue falls below official forecasts and spending runs above expectations, Controller John Chiang said today."
Federal bill means billions for California (08/10/2010) Los
Angeles Times
"President Obama said he will sign a $26-billion aid package for cash-poor states passed by the House of Representatives Tuesday -- a bill that could be worth more than $2.4 billion for California."
Democratic budget assumes reductions for all state workers (08/09/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"Democratic leaders have said all along they want state employee unions to negotiate contract changes rather than have the Legislature impose cuts.
But in order to make their new budget balance, Democrats are counting on $822 million in savings that depend upon 15 bargaining units negotiating the same type of tentative agreements that six other units have reached with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration. The savings is located on page 9 of Assembly Speaker John A. Perez's budget outline."
Bill would force state to accept own IOUs (08/09/2010) San
Diego Union-Tribune
"If businesses or residents get IOUs from state government during another budget crisis, they could use the notes to pay money owed to the state under a proposal by a local legislator."
Tribal casino money added to budget plan (08/09/2010) Riverside Press-Enterprise
"The Legislature's budget-writing panel has added $30 million in tribal casino-mitigation funding to its proposed budget."
Schwarzenegger offers rosy assessment, but that doesnÕt mean budget is close (08/07/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offered his rosiest assessment yet of the state budget situation Friday, telling business leaders in the Bay Area that he and legislative leaders agree on all but about $4 billion in solutions to solve the $19 billion gap."
Budget bickering goes public in dispute over Democratic plan (08/05/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger bickered publicly over the state budget in May and June. They took those discussions behind closed doors in July. Neither approach yielded much progress. So Democratic leaders went public with a new budget plan this week – hiking vehicle and income taxes while slashing the state sales tax. Republicans are swatting back the proposal publicly as well."
Viewpoints:
Irresponsibility marks Democrats' state budget plan (08/05/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Legislative Democrats this week unveiled a new plan to raise taxes by billions of dollars on middle-class and working Californians in order to protect government jobs."
So When Will We Have A Budget? (08/05/2010) Fox & Hounds
"What's the deal with Mel Gibson?" is probably the most common question being asked by Californians.
But in the six blocks surrounding the State Capitol, the most common question is, "When will we have a budget?"
Lack of state budget leavers child-care providers, families in limbo (08/05/2010) Ventura County Star
"For hundreds of Ventura County families, the budget stalemate in Sacramento is hitting close to home this summer.
State funding for the subsidized child care they count on has dried up — a consequence of legislators not meeting the state constitutional deadline for passing a budget."
Brown's budget solution: 'Lock 'em up inside the chambers' (08/05/2010) Los
Angeles Times
"Although Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown says fixing California's budget crisis is the top priority facing the state's next chief executive, he stuck to generalities Thursday when asked how he would solve the problem."
Budget bickering goes public in dispute over Democratic
plan (08/05/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger bickered
publicly over the state budget in May and June. They took those discussions
behind closed doors in July. Neither approach yielded much progress."
The State Worker: The budget impasse and a broken door (08/05/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"The impact of California's budget impasse boggles the mind with big numbers.
Tens of billions of dollars at stake. Uncertainty for programs serving millions of kids, the infirm, the poor and seniors."
What did Brown really
say on Univision? (08/05/2010) San
Francisco Chronicle
"The other day we told you about Jerry Brown's appearance on Univision, where he was asked what he would do to cut the budget should he again be elected California's guv. The translation from the broadcast from the inteview that we included had the Democrat saying "to begin with I would cut back the governor's expenses, like the private jet, mansion, and things considered luxuries.""
Brown compares budget process to Bell pay scandal (08/04/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown called for more transparency in the budget process today, saying the "latest scheme" released by legislative Democrats has "got to be vetted in the public.""
Budget panel approves Democrats' controversial tax plan (08/04/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"The legislative budget conference committee approved the Democrats' controversial tax plan today on a majority vote, although some lawmakers acknowledged that the analysis is incomplete."
California's (Government) Jobs Budget (08/04/2010) Fox & Hounds
Legislative leaders released their latest budget proposal, called the "Jobs Budget," which again is heavy on tax increases and light on boosting the state's economic competitiveness. Touted as "saving 430,000 jobs," the plan would increase taxes by more than $5 billion and continue speculative and one-time spending to support ongoing programs.
State budget assumptions: Where politics and policy intersect (08/04/2010) Sacramento Bee
"The new Democratic budget plan relies on an argument that average taxpayers will ultimately pay less in taxes."
California to receive about $500 million less from Washington (08/04/2010) Sacramento Bee
"The U.S. Senate signaled today that it will pass legislation providing $16 billion in additional aid to states, including about $1.28 billion for California in Medicaid dollars, according to the Department of Finance."
Dems propose tax hikes to help close budget gap (08/04/2010) San Francisco
Chronicle
"Californians would pay higher income taxes and more to license their vehicles, but the state sales tax would be slashed under a new plan unveiled by Democrats in the Legislature to solve a multibillion-dollar budget deficit."
Dan Walters: Steve Peace's tax scheme saves lives again (08/04/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Anyone seen Steve Peace lurking around the Capitol?
Peace, a Democratic state legislator in the 1980s and 1990s, was fond of floating big ideas, which usually involved big money. And some of them, unfortunately, were enacted into law, such as deregulation schemes for workers' compensation insurance and electric power."
Schwarzenegger's office: Democrats' latest budget plan in D.O.A. (08/03/2010) Sacramento Bee
"The Schwarzenegger administration today declared a new Democratic plan to close the state budget deficit to be dead-on-arrival even before it was officially unveiled."
More Attacks on Two-Thirds Vote (08/03/2010) Fox & Hounds [cross-posted to Initiative News]
Nearly one month into the new fiscal year that began on July 1, there is growing concern that Democrat leaders will attempt an end-run around the Proposition 13 requirement that tax increases must be approved with a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.
Budget +34: "Governing Is A Tough Thing" (08/03/2010) KQED News: Capitol Notes
"That was a comment uttered Tuesday afternoon by the leader of the state Senate, and truer words have never been spoken... especially when it comes to the now annual saga of plugging the leaks in California's seemingly sinking ship of state."
Republicans reject Democrats' latest budget offer (08/03/2010) Los Angeles Times
"After a series of false starts and leaked details, Democratic leaders in the Assembly and Senate unveiled their comprehensive plan for solving the state's budget gap. And through it all, the Republican position on the Democratic proposals has remained unchanged. In a word: No. "
Impacts of Democrats' tax changes would be a mixed bag (08/03/2010) Sacramento Bee
"As Democrats unveil a new budget plan today, here's an essential question: How does this affect individual taxpayers?"
Democrats Offer Unified Budget Plan, GOP Objects to Taxes (08/03/2010) California's Capitol
"More than a month into the state's new fiscal year, Assembly and Senate Democrats unveiled a joint budget proposal that includes tax increases, causing republican lawmakers and GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to pronounce it dead on arrival."
Controller: $2.19
billion in California bills may go unpaid without budget (08/03/2010) Los Angeles Times
"State Controller John Chiang has released a list of the more than $2.19 billion in bills he says the state cannot pay in August without a budget in place."
Budget: Dems to push for tax maneuvers with federal twist (08/02/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Democratic legislative leaders plan to talk up a budget plan on Tuesday they say would raise state income taxes but make up for Californians' individual losses with a lower sales tax and greater federal tax deductions."
Democrats set to
unveil revised budget plan (08/02/2010) Los
Angeles Times
"Democratic leaders in Sacramento will unveil a revised and more detailed budget plan Tuesday, seven weeks after the constitutional deadline for the Legislature to approve a spending plan."
Dan Walters: Anthony Adams' shift on tax vote backfires (08/02/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Republican Assemblyman Anthony Adams bucked his party 18 months ago to vote for a state budget that contained a hefty tax increase."
Governor: State
budget can pass before term ends (07/29/2010) San Diego Union Tribune
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in San Diego on Thursday that he is optimistic about eventually getting a state budget he can accept."
Budget +29: Does California Have A Rainy Day Fund? (07/29/2010) KQED News: Capitol Notes
" As Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hits the road to talk to groups around the state about the stalled budget talks here in Sacramento, he keeps telling audiences that California has no reserve "rainy day" fund"
Tax Reform! – California's Budget Necessity is the Mother of Invention (07/29/2010) Fox & Hounds
"There are rumors circulating that the Legislature is considering reducing State sales taxes while increasing personal income taxes as part of this year's budget package. If these rumors are true, then that is unquestionably a good thing. As we described on these pages in January of this year as well as in the San Francisco Chronicle, such a tax swap could save Californians billions of dollars annually and help grow the economy."
Go Ahead – Blame the Governor (07/29/2010) by Sheila Kuehl
An essay examining whether we can, indeed, blame the current Governor for the downward fiscal spiral in the California budget.
California Senate leaders offer pathway out of budget stalemate (07/29/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Steinberg's plan to raise most income taxes and vehicle fees but cut the sales tax is at least an effort, which is more than most of his colleagues have offered."
Why's the Budget Late? Because Republicans Want It That Way (07/28/2010) California Progress Report
"So it's been almost a month since the 2010-11 state budget was to have been enacted, and yet so far there's been hardly any movement or action at all on the budget. With Prop 25, restoring majority rule to the budget process, Republicans would be out of the picture and Democrats could negotiate directly with the governor."
Budget forums across state anger GOP (07/28/2010) San Diego Union Tribune
" Sometimes, it can be the little things that further strain communication and stretch credibility — particularly during these days of tense state budget talks in the Capitol."
Budget +28: A Tax Swap? (07/28/2010) KQED News: Capitol Notes
"Consider this the first real leak from the seemingly stalled budget negotiations: a proposal being bandied about to raise most income tax rates in California while lowering sales tax rates, erasing between $2 billion and $3 billion of the deficit."
No end in sight for Sacramento budget stalemate (07/28/2010) Los Angeles Times
"As California staggers toward the fifth week of the fiscal year without a spending plan, a month of closed-door talks in the Capitol have produced little but tension and finger-pointing. The calendar is flipping toward August with no resolution in sight."
Feeling little heat, California leaders drag out budget battle (07/28/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Exactly one year ago today, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a state budget package after nearly a month of IOUs and serious closed-door, cigar-fueled negotiations."
Schwarzenegger threatens to leave office without signing budget (07/27/2010) Los Angeles Times
"California governor demands legislative reforms to budget and tax systems before he'll approve any spending plan. Senate president suggests Democrats are willing to wait it out."
Shwarzenegger opposes majority-vote budget plan (07/26/2010) Los Angeles Times
"As the budget stalemate dragged through its fourth week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Monday he opposed giving lawmakers the power to pass a budget with a simple-majority vote."
Budget +26: Kinder, Gentler PR (07/26/2010) KQED News: Capitol Notes
"Arnold Schwarzenegger has never been one to miss an opportunity to stoke the fires under the feet of legislative leaders when it comes to the now annual summer budget impasse. And that held true this morning in Los Angeles — though it was a kinder, gentler rattling of the cage than in years past."
Prop 25 is the real deal (07/26/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Despite opponents' claims, the initiative's aim is merely to allow legislative passage of the state budget by a simple majority vote."
Perez pushing hard to labor-friendly solution to state budget mess (07/23/2010) Sacramento Bee
"As California slogs through its fourth week without a budget, Assembly Speaker John A. Perez has emerged as either the most loved or loathed of the four legislative leaders, depending on your perspective."
Democrat's Budget Delay a Case of Dysfunction by Design (07/23/2010) Fox & Hounds
"Well, true to form, the Democrats' budget delay tactics continue this year. The leaders of both the Senate (Steinberg - D Sacramento) and the Assembly (Perez - D Los Angeles), refuse to accept the Governor's budget, but are offering no real alternatives. Reportedly, they have agreed on a few budget reductions but are no where near how to fill the gaping $19B budget hole."
The Improbable Marijuana Budget Solution? (07/20/2010) Fox & Hounds
"Would anybody be surprised to see a state budget deal fashioned on an unlikely possibility?
Let me explain. The budget is a couple of weeks late with no outward sign of completion. The governor and Republicans have insisted on a cuts only budget. The Democrats insist on tax increases along with some borrowing and moving around funds."
How much is California's budget impasse costing taxpayers?:
Schwarzenegger's 'deficit clock' has one answer, but experts disagree (07/19/2010) Contra Costa Times
"Hoping to goose along a state budget deal that appears weeks away, if not months, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has put a price tag on the delay: $52.3 million a day."
How to make $1.4
billion of the state's budget deficit disappear (07/16/2010) Los Angeles Times
"There are supposed to be two ways to close a deficit: raise taxes or cut spending.
But a move is afoot in the Legislature to trim California's budget shortfall through Sacramento's time-honored third way: making rosier revenue assumptions."
Perez finds an open
budget process if easier said than done (07/15/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Shortly after being sworn in as Assembly Speaker, John Perez (D-Los Angeles) vowed for more sunshine in the budget process."
Big Daddy
(07/15/2010) Capitol Weekly
"Dear Big Daddy,
In light of the great wisdom demonstrated by Paul the Octopus in this yearÕs
World Cup, would the state budget be best handled by him?
- Darrell and Dennis in Downtown"
Senate leaders Steinberg, Hollingsworth in side talks on budget (07/14/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Two weeks into the fiscal year, the state remains far from a balanced budget as Republicans and Democrats remain divided over the appropriate level of tax hikes and cuts."
The Budget Challenge (07/14/2010)
Fox & Hounds
"July 1st has come and gone and California still does not have a budget. This is all too reminiscent of last year's painful three-month long negotiation process, and it seems almost certain that we are in for another grueling budget resolution season."
Who's Afraid of the Governor's Budget? (Hint: Not the Governor) (07/13/2010) San Francisco Chronicle
"Not so fast, Mr. Mayor.
On Sunday, Willie Brown wrote in his Chronicle column (available online today here) that he spooked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a bit last week by telling him that if he were still Assembly Speaker, he would pass the governor's May budget proposal that includes wholesale and near wholesale elimination of some of California's safety net programs."
Schwarzenegger winds up 'deficit clock' (07/12/2010) San Diego Union-Tribune
"Time is literally money.
At least thatÕs what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his fellow Republicans are telling Californians as the state budget stalemate persists.
For the second year in a row, Schwarzenegger has installed a digital Òdeficit clockÓ outside his office, ticking off the dollars the state ÒlosesÓ with each passing minute of the deadlock, estimated at $52 million a day. It topped a cumulative $600 million in the 12th day of impasse Monday."
Mike Feuer: Report from Sacramento (07/11/2010) Brentwood News
"I'd like to welcome my Brentwood constituents to the first edition of a column I'll write from time to time for the Brentwood News. It's a privilege to serve you as your Assembly member in our state capitol, where I've been tackling our most pressing challenges. Recently I was named the Assembly's Majority Policy Leader, adding to my duties as chair of both the Judiciary Committee and the Assembly's Select Committee on Improving State Government."
Field Poll: 65% of California voters want
majority vote on budget
(07/09/2010) Sacramento Bee [cross-posted
to California Initiative Headlines]
"Perhaps
fed up with perennial delays over California's state budget, two-thirds of
voters are ready to let lawmakers approve the spending plan with a majority
vote, according to a new Field Poll."
Wille Brown: Legislators should have Ok'd
Schwarzenegger budget
(07/09/2010) Sacramento Bee
"When
former Assembly speaker Willie Brown was back at the Capitol yesterday, he told
reporters he didn't have any advice for Democratic legislative leaders sparring
with Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over the
state budget."
click here to read more...
Budget snapshot: Spin war persists in
fiscal impasse
(07/08/2010) Capitol Weekly
"This is
the time of year when the legislative leaders begin to get a little sensitive
about the notion that they are standing idle as the budget stalemate drags on.
To that end, Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg is trying to promote the idea that
progress is being made between Democrats and Republicans in the Capitol over
closing the state's spending gap."
Schwarzenegger installs budget tally
attacking Legislature (07/07/2010)
Sacramento Bee
"Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger said last week that California's budget delay costs the
state $52 million a day. In what's becoming a near-annual tradition, the
governor today installed a budget delay counter outside his Capitol office,
blaming the Legislature for more than $300 million in costs as of this
afternoon."
click
here to read more...
Budget +6: Confabs &
Codes
(07/06/2010) KQED: Capitol Notes
"If you're just tuning back in to budget
news from the long holiday weekend, fear not: you haven't missed much on what
appear to be the two real fronts of the 2010 budget war: legislative action and
state employee paychecks."
Four legislators waive per
diem during budget deadlock (07/06/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Four
California legislators have opted not to accept any $142 per-day subsidies for
living expenses, called per diem, that might accrue during the budget impasse
that began July 1."
California lawmakers have
less motivation to pass a budget (07/04/2010) Los Angeles
Times
"Many
pressures are absent this summer: Clinics get money regardless; IOUs are
unlikely before fall; and community colleges prepared for crisis — at
their own expense. Negotiations have barely begun."
Budget +2: Paychecks Blues (07/02/2010) KQED: Capitol Notes
"Question: When is 19 billion a smaller
number than 200,000? Answer: When you're comparing California's budget gap, a
still somewhat abstract reality, to the number of state workers now seriously
worried that they're on the verge of seeing their paychecks cut by almost
75%."
Lawmakers take vacation, pay
cut as budget stalls (07/02/2010) Santa Rosa
Press Democrat
"It's
summer in Sacramento and once again California faces a budget deficit —
$19 billion. And once again, Democrats and Republicans are dug into
diametrically opposed solutions — raise revenues (Democrats); cut
spending (Republicans)."
Don't expect budget resolution any times soon (07/02/2010) Sacramento Bee
"With the
ballyhooed July 1 milepost having come and gone, expect slow going on the
budget for a while.
Republican and
Democratic leaders met privately Thursday to discuss their next steps. They are
interested in working out as much as possible in the Legislature, without Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to their offices. And they want to reconvene
the joint budget conference committee next week to stay true to their promise
of conducting work in public."
Legislative Democrats Begin Mock
Negotiations
(07//02/2010) Fox & Hounds
"On the
last day of the just-completed fiscal year, the Assembly Speaker and Senate
President Pro Tem announced agreement on what they call a unified Democratic
budget "framework" that purports to reconcile their different
approaches and "signals the next step of negotiations" with the
Governor. "
State Budget Crisis Like Sacramento
Weather (07/01/2010) Fox & Hounds
"Mark Twain
once commented about Sacramento: "people suffer and sweat, and swear,
morning, noon and night...""
Dems coming together as budget battle
begins (07/01/2010) Capitol Weekly
"Assembly
Speaker John Perez and Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg closed ranks on a broad
framework for the state budget that incorporates elements of the separate plans
that the two Democrats put forward over the last month."
Opinion: A new fiscal year, no budget and
the Democrats want more taxes
(07/01/2010) Capitol Weekly
"Once again
California starts a new fiscal year today without a state budget. But it didnÕt
have to be this way. Assembly Republicans have been reminding lawmakers for the
past 100 days, since March 23, that the end of the fiscal year was fast
approaching. We urged majority Democrats to begin working with us early, so we
could have a bipartisan solution in place before the end of the fiscal year.
They said no."
Ask Big Daddy (07/01/2010) Capitol Weekly
"Dear Big
Daddy,
No state budget – again. WhatÕs the answer?
--Resigned in Reseda."
California budget tardy
again, and here's why (07/01/2010) Sacramento Bee
"California
enters the 2010-11 fiscal year today without a state budget in place, the 19th
time in the last 25 years that has occurred."
California budget deadline
passes without a budget (07/01/2010) Los Angeles
Times
Happy New Fiscal Year (06/30/2010) Los Angeles Times
No state budget in sight on
eve of new fiscal year (06/30/2010) Sacramento Bee
"It may not feel
like it, but today marks the end of another year.
A fiscal year, that is.
For the 19th time in the last 25 years, California will enter the 2010-11 year
tomorrow with no budget."
Democratic leaders say they
have two-house budget plan (06/30/2010) Sacramento Bee
"On the eve
of the new fiscal year, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly
Speaker John A. Perez
said Wednesday that they have a unified Democratic budget framework."
A Lesson about a November Ballot Measure
from the Current Budget Debate
(06/29/2010) Fox & Hounds
"The battle
is on over the state budget due July 1 and the fireworks could shed light on an
initiative measure on the November ballot. Designated as Proposition 25, the
measure would reduce the legislative vote requirement to pass a budget from
two-thirds to a simple majority."
Catch 22: California lawmakers to head
home without budget deal
(06/29/2010) Sacramento Bee
"The state
Democratic and Republican parties joined forces to unsuccessfully oppose
Proposition 14, the "top-two" primary measure, but don't expect to
see the same teamwork for the November election."
State Budget: Three plans, no
deal
(06/27/2010) Sacramento Bee
"The state
Democratic and Republican parties joined forces to unsuccessfully oppose
Proposition 14, the "top-two" primary measure, but don't expect to
see the same teamwork for the November election."
click
here to read more...
Legislative leaders at odds
over budget
(06/26/2010) Los Angeles Times
Budget Debate: Cuts and Taxes Versus Cuts
Alone (06/25/2010) CalBuzz
"As the
state slouches toward the start of the new fiscal year, thereÕs been little
progress toward reconciling the three vastly different spending plans offered
up by the Senate and Assembly majorities and the Governor."
Democrats move toward compromise, even as
old rivalries rear their heads
(06/24/2010) Capitol Weekly
"This week,
both Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, and Assembly Speaker John
Perez, D-Los Angeles, laid out budget proposals to reporters. The two leaders
have been meeting daily and it now appears that the shell of an outline is
forming for a plan that Democrats in both houses can agree upon."
LAT: Absent budget, Gov to cut state
workersÕ pay to minimum wage
(06/23/2010) Capitol Weekly
ÒGov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger plans to cut the pay of state workers to minimum wage if a
timely budget accord is not reached, according to a memo sent Wednesday from
the director of the governor's Department of Personnel Administration to state
agency and department heads."
Senate Plan to Shift Services to
Countries DoesnÕt Help Balance State Budget (06/23/2010) Fox
& Hounds
"A plan
unveiled this week by Senate Democrats to shift billions of dollars in services
from the state to the counties might make government more efficient. But it
won't help balance the budget."
Assembly Democrats Move to Tweak Budget
Proposal (06/22/2010) Los Angeles Times
"After the
attorney general raised questions about constitutionality, Assembly Democrats
are prepared to tweak their plan to borrow up to $10 billion in oil tax revenues
to close this year's budget gap."
Assembly Democrats Downscale Borrowing
Plan (06/22/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Assembly
Democrats have quietly halved the size of a controversial borrowing plan in
their budget, recognizing legal pitfalls that could undermine their idea, according
to an Assembly source."
State Senate budget plan would shift
responsibilities, money to counties
(06/21/2010) Los Angeles Times
"State
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced an ambitious plan Monday
to get California out of the business of providing billions of dollars worth of
public safety, welfare and health services, instead giving counties the money
to run those programs. Several tax levies, including a new oil tax, would pay
for the transition."
Walter: Budget Appropriation offers clue
to CapitolÕs true values
(06/18/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Members of
the two-house legislative committee working on the state budget –
especially its dominant Democrats – have spent much of the week lamenting
that they don't have enough money to satisfy all demands, including their
own."
Attorney general's office questions legality
of Assembly budget plan
(06/17/2010) Los Angeles Times
Atty. Gen. Jerry
Brown's office has waded into the fight over CaliforniaÕs budget, writing in a
letter to the governor's office this week that a borrowing plan hatched by
Assembly Democrats might not pass legal muster."
AGÕs office questions legality of
Assembly budget borrowing (06/17/2010)
Sacramento Bee
"In 2004,
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger barnstormed around the state for Proposition 58,
using an oversized credit card as a prop and vowing that it was time for the
state to "tear up its credit card." Now Attorney General Jerry Brown
has concluded that Assembly Democrats' plan to borrow billions to help ease the
state's $19.1 billion deficit could be deemed illegal under that ballot measure
if challenged in court."
California's late budget plays role in
killing pay cut for officeholders
(06/17/2010) Sacramento Bee
"The
Legislature's failure to pass a state budget by its constitutional deadline
played a key role Wednesday in killing a proposed pay cut for lawmakers and
other top officeholders, according to members of the state's pay panel."
US Senate defeats state aid package (06/17/2010) Sacramento Bee
"California's
bid to get Congress to chip in $1.8 billion to help close the state's budget
gap is all but dead.
In a key test
vote today, the Senate agreed to uphold Republican objections to a bill that
included $24 billion in aid to the states, including the money for California.
It's part of a broader $140 billion package that would extend unemployment
benefits and some tax breaks to businesses."
Opinion: A budget crisis that Arnold
could have prevented, but didnÕt (06/17/2010)
Capitol Weekly
"Every year
of Arnold Schwarzenegger's governorship has seen more bad budget news, each worse
than the one before. Now we've got a new $19 billion hole to fix."
California's late budget plays role in
killing pay cut for officeholders
(06/17/2010) Sacramento Bee
"The
Legislature's failure to pass a state budget by its constitutional deadline
played a key role Wednesday in killing a proposed pay cut for lawmakers and
other top officeholders, according to members of the state's pay panel."
Lawmakers miss deadline—but can you balance the budget? (06/16/2010) Los Angeles Times
"State
lawmakers on Tuesday missed the constitutional deadline to pass a budget for
the 23rd time in 24 years. Budget talks, as noted here,
are in their infancy. The current members of the Big Five -- the governor and
four legislative leaders -- met face-to-face for the first time Monday.
But why wait for
them to balance the books? Next 10, a nonprofit that aims to increase public
knowledge about California's beleaguered finances, has created a program to
allow anyone to try their hand at budget-balancing, not just state
lawmakers."
Lawmakers nix vacation plans, signaling a
long budget summer
(06/16/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Nobody
knows when a state budget deal will get struck – but judging from
lawmakers' answers to a question about vacation plans, nobody should bet the
mortgage on a breakthrough any time soon."
California lawmakers prepare for long
battle over taxes and cuts
(06/15/2010) San Gabriel Valley Tribune
"The
deadline by which the California legislature is supposed to pass a state budget
came and went Tuesday, with most Sacramento lawmakers saying it will be months
before they can find an answer to the latest $19.1 billion budget
deficit."
Does California's budget need divine
intervention?
(06/15/2010) Los Angeles Times
"A group of
clergy from at least eight different faiths will take to the Capitol steps
Wednesday morning for an unusual rally: praying to inject the presence of some
Òdivine wisdomÓ into the California budgeting process, one day after lawmakers
missed the constitutional deadline to pass a spending plan."
Sniping from the sidelines as budget deadline
nears (06/14/2010) Los Angeles Times
"Brown and
Whitman criticize the dysfunction gripping the Capitol in the usual budget
stalemate. But neither has taken the risky steps of offering a solution to
closing the $19.1-billion deficit."
'Budget Challenge' gives Californians a
crack at closing deficit (06/10/2010) Sacramento Bee
"As Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators debate how to close the state's whopping
budget deficit, an organization called Next10 is giving Californians a chance
to play budget-writer themselves with an updated version of its
"California Budget Challenge.""
Perez acknowledges that budget deadline
will be missed (06/10/2010)
Sacramento Bee
"Assembly
Speaker John A. Perez acknowledged the obvious today - that the Legislature
will not meet next Tuesday's constitutional deadline for enacting a 2010-11
state budget."
Walters: Budget deadline nears with no
progress in sight
(06/07/2010)
"It's a
week before the June 15 constitutional deadline for enacting a state budget, an
appropriate moment to consider the status of this year's version of the annual
fiscal drama."
Cities Take Budget Mess to Voters:
Measures on June 8 Ballot Seek New Taxes, More Control over Union Contracts (06/03/2010) Wall Street Journal [subscription needed]
"Bay Area
cities and counties, their finances hammered by state budget cuts, are turning
to voters for help.
A raft of
measures on next Tuesday's ballot are aimed at shoring up finances in local
communities. Many center on proposed parcel taxes to offset declines in state
funds. The city of Vallejo is pushing a measure to stop using outside
arbitrators in disputes between the city and its workers, aiming to squeeze
more money for its budget by whittling away public employee benefits."
Congress pulls back state aid package,
leaving $2-billion hole in CA budget
(06/03/2010) Los Angeles Times
"House
Democrats kill a $24-billion fund to help cash-strapped states cover costs.
States are lobbying hard to have it restored, warning of further devastating
cuts to healthcare and social services."
More to budget balancing than
just raising taxes (06/03/2010) Capitol Weekly
"As of
today, May 27, the Legislature has just 35 days until the end of the fiscal
year on June 30th. Now more than ever, it's time for both parties to work
together with greater urgency to reach bipartisan consensus on the responsible
budget Californians deserve."
Governor's budget kicks
California when itÕs down (06/03/2010) Capitol Weekly
"Last week,
Speaker John Perez and I unveiled the California Jobs Budget – a smart
and credible alternative to the Governor's May Revision plan because it
actually creates jobs, leverages federal dollars and avoids short-sighted cost
shifts. It is a focused, clear strategy for retaining and creating
private sector jobs that will strengthen the economic recovery just beginning
in California, and lay the groundwork for continued economic expansion in
future years."
Democrats' Budget Bid: Higher Taxes and
Deficit Spending
(06/02/2010) Fox & Hounds
"The state
budget, taxes and massive new debt have emerged at the top of the Legislature's
agenda this month. Some wonder how the Legislature could have been working on
any issues other than jobs, the economy and the budget, given the gravity of
those problems. But making up for lost time, legislative leaders have laid on
the table billions in new taxes and mixed in a stunning proposal for new
deficit spending."
Controller says state can pay bills through
summer, warns of budget 'gimmicks' (06/02/2010)
Los Angeles Times
"California
is expected to be able to continue paying all its bills through the summer,
relying on deferred payments and billions in internal borrowing, state
Controller John Chiang said in a letter Wednesday to top lawmakers and Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger."
A bit of good new on State Budgeting (06/02/2010) NBC LA
"This won't
make this year's budget picture any brighter, but two bills passed by the state
Senate today represent important steps to make the process of creating budgets
more rational, responsible and easier-to-understand."
Bills Seek to Improve California budget
process (06/02/2010) Bloomberg Business Week
"California
lawmakers on Wednesday approved two measures that would apply practices from
the business world to the state's dysfunctional budget process."
It's Time for Sacramento to Partner with
Business (06/01/2010) Fox & Hounds
"There is
rarely good news out of Sacramento. The perpetual budget crisis, political
stalemates and continuing cuts to vital programs can make even the most
optimistic of us wonder whether things will ever change. So why, you might ask,
is the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce investing the time, money and
energy to take 100 business and community leaders to Sacramento next week to
meet with legislators and members of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's
administration?"
Budget posturing portends a long stand
off (05/27/2010) Capitol Weekly
"The battle
lines have been drawn for this summer's budget fight, with Senate Democrats touting
plans for new tax increases and cuts and Assembly Democrats unveiling an
elaborate budget maneuver that leads to new taxes on oil production and
virtually no cuts to the stateÕs safety net. The trick, now, is figuring out
which pieces of these proposals - and Gov. Arnold SchwarzeneggerÕs May budget
revision - are real."
Opinion: Savings, reform, job creation
key to California's solving budget crisis (05/27/2010) Capitol
Weekly
"As of
today, May 27, the Legislature has just 35 days until the end of the fiscal
year on June 30th. Now more than ever, it's time for both parties to work
together with greater urgency to reach bipartisan consensus on the responsible
budget Californians deserve."
Can the budget be easy? (05/27/2010) NBC LA
"John Perez
is one of the sharpest political strategists in California. After a career
spent working behind the scenes in the labor movement, he is now the Speaker of
the California Assembly. The budget proposal he and his fellow Assembly
Democrats produced this week shows his political skill. It's full of positives
-- attempts to avoid job losses (particularly in the public sector) and
unpopular cuts in the most popular programs, namely schools."
Assembly Democrats push borrowing plan
for California budget
(05/26/2010) Sacramento Bee
"Assembly
Democrats weighed in Tuesday with their own state budget plan that relies on borrowing
nearly $9 billion from Wall Street and installing a new tax on oil production
to pay back that loan over 20 years."
Dan Walters: Democrats play for time on
budget (05/26/2010) Sacramento Bee
"The
Legislature's Democratic leaders, after months of hoping against hope that the
state budget deficit would magically disappear, have finally returned to their
ideological roots, proposing new taxes and new borrowing to avoid deep spending
cuts."
Democrat 'Red Ink Budget'- How to Kill
Jobs and Move California Closer to Insolvency (05/26/2010) Fox & Hounds
"Earlier
this week, Assembly Democrats unveiled their budget blueprint of liberal
spending and higher taxes, which they ironically call their California Jobs
Budget."
Democrats, Republicans stake out
negotiating territory over state budget (05/25/2010) Sacramento
Bee
"Senate
Democrats countered Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget Monday by proposing
$4.9 billion in added taxes to prevent deep cuts in safety-net programs."
If California budget talks fail, decide
them the old-fashioned way (05/23/2010)
"If Capitol
partisans can't reach agreement the usual way, they could always arm-wrestle.
There's even precedent."
Courts quash cuts, add to state's budget
woes (05/22/2010) San Francisco Chronicle
"Courts in
recent years have crushed attempts by California to cut spending by billions of
dollars and have forced the state to spend hundreds of millions more than
planned."
ACA: A Little Something for Everyone (05/21/2010) California Progress Report
"Beware of
goo-goos bearing gifts. TodayÕs lesson comes from ACA4, a Christmas tree of
proposed constitutional changes in the legislative budget process."