Jerry Brown says lawmakers need to 'man up' and cut California's budget

Sacramento Bee ^ | 4/14/12 | David Siders

[SmithL]

Gov. Jerry Brown urged the Legislature on Friday to "man up" and make spending cuts, acknowledging the state budget deficit is likely larger than he previously thought.

The Democratic governor, in an interview on Bay Area talk radio station KGO (810 AM), said the deficit is "probably bigger now" than the $9.2 billion he estimated earlier this year.

"We're trying to be as prudent as we can," Brown said. "That's why the Legislature has to man up, make the cuts and get some taxes and we'll make it."

Democrats this year have resisted Brown's proposed cuts to social services and higher education, and his demand that spending reductions be enacted by March fell flat.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, has said it is too early in the budget calendar to make potentially unnecessary cuts. His spokeswoman, Alicia Trost, said Friday that "it's best to wait and get a clear picture" of the budget when Brown revises his budget proposal in May. Trost said Democrats have enacted spending reductions in previous years and "this year will be no different."

Brown's "man up" remark was reminiscent of when Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called legislative Democrats "girlie men" in 2004, also in a budget dispute.

[hinckley buzzard]

Cuts? Que es los "cuts"? Yo no comprendo.

[drypowder]

1st action needed to fix the state financially, enact a part time legislature. 50% time or less with correlating pay and perks cuts.

[newzjunkey]

I wonder if he regrets it the second time around.

These are not the Democrats of your (relative) youth, Governor.