Political theatrics aside, state budget process is seriously broken

Sacramento Bee ^ | 6/17/5 | Dan Walters

[SmithL]

It was apparent months ago that the annual theatrics surrounding the state budget would be submerged into the power struggle between Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature's dominant Democrats, one headed for a ballot showdown in November.

It was also apparent that the timing of the budget would be a political hinge point. Democrats were insisting that Schwarzenegger give the schools another $3 billion - and raise taxes to finance it - but were Democrats to stall passage of a budget on that issue, it would give Schwarzenegger some rhetorical ammunition. He could use it to urge voter approval of his ballot measure that would give the governor more power over the budget.

Early this month, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez seemingly drew a line in the sand, saying that Democrats "will not leave the negotiating table and we will not sign on to a budget until and unless we fully protect (education) funding, because doing less than that would be doing a disservice."

Just days later, however, Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata did an abrupt about-face, pledging to put a Democratic version of the budget - without the extra school money - on the floors of both legislative houses June 15, the rarely met constitutional deadline for legislative enactment.

What happened to change directions? "We didn't want to be used as a whipping boy in this political season," Núñez said Thursday. Evidently, the unions that are supplying the money to oppose Schwarzenegger's ballot measures, especially the powerful California Teachers Association, decided that beating him in November was far more important than holding up the budget for more school money in June - and Democratic legislative leaders quickly fell into line with that tactical decision.

[BenLurkin]

So California will have a timely budget this year? That almost never happens.

Looks like a win-win all around.

[jerri]

Someone should tell them it's already June 17th.