Senators Stage Lockdown in Bid to Approve Budget (dysfunctional dimwits!)

Los Angeles Times ^ | July 1, 2005 | Evan Halper and Jordan Rau

[calcowgirl]

SACRAMENTO — A defiant state Senate met late into Thursday night, threatening to stay locked down until dawn in a last-ditch effort to do its part to pass a budget by the start of the fiscal year today.

(snip)

Their effort was unsuccessful on an initial Thursday night roll call...

Democrats held the session as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger left Sacramento for Los Angeles, where he will attend today's inauguration ceremonies for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

(snip)

Administration spokesman Rob Stutzman said ... "We are not real sure what the point of the theatrics were, other than to possibly let them collect per diem for Friday by staying until after midnight."

(snip)

As they settled in for the evening, they had several videos to keep them entertained, including the 1977 documentary about the bodybuilder who would become governor, "Pumping Iron." Some brought books. Sen. Carole Migden (D-San Francisco) had "Center of Winter," a novel about a family struggling to cope with mental illness and suicide. Sen. Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey) read "Public Utilities Fortnightly."

In the Republican lounge, some legislators watched the television show "Reno 911," a comedy about a corrupt and incompetent police force.

Some lawmakers said they regretted not going to a black-tie dinner in Los Angeles on Thursday night in honor of Villaraigosa, and that they were unlikely to attend the mayoral inauguration. Romero lamented that her ball gown had been out and ready to go; in fact, she displayed the golden-brown dress on the Senate floor.

(snip)

Hours later, as the clock ticked toward midnight, senators launched a second round of debating.

At 12:45 a.m., Bowen emerged with a cow blanket and a pillow in the shape of a dead rat, looking for a place to rest.

[calcowgirl]

At 12:45 a.m., Bowen emerged with a cow blanket and a pillow in the shape of a dead rat, looking for a place to rest.

I particularly liked the "dead rat" part.

[45Auto]

I'd like to see most of the California Senate locked down in San Quentin for the next 50 years.

[goldstategop]

Pace Don Perata, not even St. Jude can help the Democrats out of the budget maze. Our spending-addicted socialists refuse to accept one simple fact every school child knows and that every family faces every day, and that is NOT to spend money you don't have. Most people do get this fact of life. The question why the politicians in Sacramento don't.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[calcowgirl]

Most people do get this fact of life. The question why the politicians in Sacramento don't.

Perhaps because they have no opposition. Our own governor (R) proposed a $116 BILLION budget that leaves a $5 BILLION dollar DEFICIT.

If he had proposed some CUTS, maybe there would be something for them to really argue about. Instead, it is this same boring script, with only one guarantee: The highest level of spending of all time.

[heleny]

proposed a $116 BILLION budget that leaves a $5 BILLION dollar DEFICIT.

Could the R's just pass the budget with all the liberal excesses if the Gov. promises to use the line-item veto in some sort of deal between the Gov and the R's?

[calcowgirl]

I honestly don't know, for sure. My understanding is that they are now arguing over the 1/2 billion in pension payments that Arnold proposed to shift to local governments (without corresponding revenue) as well as additional 'powers' that he wants the governor to have (e.g. mid-year budget reductions).

Talks were reportedly supposed to continue starting today. We'll soon know more.