Posted on 08/09/2007 2:06:21 AM PDT by goldstategop
Senate Democrats enlisted environmentalists Wednesday to chastise Republicans for holding up the state budget, arguing that the GOP is seeking a rollback of a Ronald Reagan-approved environmental law at the behest of business interests.
Despite a pledge by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto spending in the Assembly-approved plan, Republicans also are demanding a provision to prevent cities and counties, as well as developers and businesses, from being sued on climate change for the next three years.
Republicans cite concerns about Attorney General Jerry Brown's use of the California Environmental Quality Act to stall local development projects. They worry that Brown and environmentalists will use the courts heavily as the state doles out nearly $40 billion worth of public works projects.
"This gang of 14 -- all privileged white men -- is obstructing the budget for the entire state of California, holding up funding for health care, for schools, for parks," said Bill Magavern of the Sierra Club, who spoke out during a Democratic news conference on the budget.
Democrats also moved to punish one Republican who has refused to support the spending plan as they sought to break the budget gridlock.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata removed Atwater Republican Sen. Jeff Denham from the powerful Senate Governmental Organization Committee, which has jurisdiction over bills dealing with state governance.
Denham, who has been seen as more likely than others in his caucus to side with Democrats in the end, said he will not fold.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
August 8, 2007
Honorable Fabian Nunez
Speaker of the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 219
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblyman Nunez:
As you are aware, the budget the Assembly passed on July 20th neglected to reach an agreement with either Senate leader. President Pro Tem Perata publicly stated that he will not, and has not, brought your corporate tax credit package to the Senate Floor. As I understand, passage of your budget package centered on the tax credits.
The Assembly budget version is also $700 million out of balance. We believe our responsibility requires passing a balanced budget.
Since January our objectives have remained clear: a balanced budget that reduces the protracted structural deficit, prevent environmental mitigation lawsuit abuse and to maximize bond monies toward road, levee and house construction.
In addition, the trailer bills sent to the Senate need serious repair. For example, your corporate tax credit package contains a serious drafting error. Trailer bill language also includes a misguided provision that would undo policies to control costs associated with state vacancies as well as new provisions related to construction requirements for state buildings that would drive up construction costs.
In addition, we have consistently informed your office of our concerns about frivolous lawsuits against local entities for not complying with non-existent regulations. Attorney General Jerry Brown has threatened to file lawsuits, and in some cases has actually sued counties, infrastructure and housing projects under CEQA for failing to mitigate green house gas emissions. These suits have been filed despite the fact that regulations have not been developed or adopted. Unless addressed, these lawsuits will lead to serious delays in providing the affordable housing, new schools, and energy our growing population demands.
Because these potential lawsuits would use General Fund monies to hold up $43 billion voter approved infrastructure bonds, this is a budget related issue and we must address it now.
Your charge that my colleagues “personally maligned” you rings disingenuous. Open discussions of public policy and calling the Assembly back to work to resolve outstanding budget issues did not malign your caucus but was a call for civic responsibility. Instead, while during your absence, your Chief Deputy referred to our caucus as “terrorists.”
The Senate Republican Caucus intentions remain firm to pass a fiscally responsible budget.
To achieve this end, we look forward to working with you. Please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
DICK ACKERMAN
SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER
To quote Rodney King, can't we all get along? Democrat name calling, extortion and punishment of Republicans who take a stand for a balanced budget won't get the budget situation resolved. When the Democrats are ready to negotiate, the CAGOP will be ready to work towards a solution. But it will NOT capitulate to Democrat blackmail.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Another headline sure to scare a liberal:
Taxes Cause Global Warming
My new tag line is for the environment - Green is the new red
“Taxes Cause Global Warming”
I like your first headline better. I think it would drive leftists nuts.
Today is now the eighth day that both houses of the Legislature have been on summer recess without adopting a state budget.
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, who adjourned the Assembly on July 20th in violation of both the Legislature’s joint rules and the California Constitution, just returned from a long family vacation in Europe and promptly issued a fatwa. In a letter to Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman, Nunez threatens not to entertain further consideration of the budget, and at the same time threatens that if the Assembly’s budget is not adopted by the Senate, he will demand somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 billion in additional spending. (Both letters are featured on Flashreport today).
In other words, Nunez’ response to Republican concerns that the state’s chronic deficit has brought us to the brink of bankruptcy is to add $2 billion to that deficit – all but guaranteeing insolvency.
Here’s an inconvenient question for Mr. Nunez: How will all of your social programs – and the people who have grown dependent on them – fare if the state runs out of money before the end of the year precisely because of your own profligacy?
I LOVE it when Democrats threaten to spend their dependent constituency into insolvency! It couldn't happen to a more deserving party. Hey, Fabian - choke on your idiocy!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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