Posted on 02/18/2009 12:42:06 AM PST by americanophile
Reporting from Sacramento -- As California's government continued its grinding downshift toward insolvency, efforts to close the state's nearly $42-billion budget gap hit a new snag late Tuesday as Republicans in the state Senate ousted their leader.
Around 11 p.m., a group of GOP senators, unhappy with the higher taxes that Senate leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto agreed to as part of a deal with the governor and Democrats, voted to replace him in a private caucus meeting in Cogdill's office. Shortly before midnight, it was still unclear who would replace him. Cogdill's ouster could be a major setback to budget negotiations. Cogdill was a lead negotiator on the budget package and had committed to voting for it. If he were removed from his leadership post, a new Senate minority leader would likely try to renegotiate the deal, which lawmakers spent three months forging.
Meanwhile, the Senate remained deadlocked after hours of debate, still without the final Republican vote required to achieve the two-thirds majority for approval of more than $14 billion in new taxes.
The frenetic day had begun with legislators carting sleeping bags, pillows and suitcases to work. Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) brought a bottle of cologne. Republican Sen. Sam Aanestad, an oral surgeon from Grass Valley, passed out toothbrushes. Cots were ordered from the state Office of Emergency Services....
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Uh-oh.
Nail biter, lol.
My bad, I posed the question poorly.
It should have been, “What percentage of your money are you willing to give to the government, that they may do the things you wish? Roads, schools, etc.”
Once we agree on that, the next question is how we get it, as a percentage of GDP - it really doesn’t matter, as long as there is a limit.
Then the libs can argue how to spend it - I really don’t care. If they don’t fund roads, I will make a fortune with my 4X4.
But where we have failed, is in asking the first question.
No kidding - I am blind to what is going on.
The words "efficiency" and "government" do not go together.
1:56AM Still no action in the Senate.
"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
bump
Still no action in the Senate.
“But where we have failed, is in asking the first question.”
What was I saying? That was wrong.
Correa is expected to be a yes (he prostituted himself for some extra $$$ for orange County). And all three of those pubbies would also have to be a yes for taxes to pass. If Correa changed to a No vote, the plan the Dems hatched would be fried.
New headline: "Lone Democrat could save state from devastating tax increases that would kill economy." We should put the pressure on Correa to vote NO.
Thanks - it’s going to be a long night - I’ll make some tea :)
Calcowgirl, tell me more about what happened in the Assembly. I understand that DeVore quit as Assembly whip? Is the Assembly now hopeless for stopping this budgetary madness?
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/18/republicans-oust-leader-amid-strained-budget-talks/
Republicans oust leader amid strained budget talks
The Associated Press
Wed, Feb 18, 2009 (2:42 a.m.)
A delicate budget fix crafted by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders was on the brink of collapse early Wednesday after Republicans in the Senate ousted their leader over opposition to tax increases. The late-night coup could derail already strained budget talks by requiring them to renegotiate with a new Republican leader.
The current package containing billions in tax hikes, spending cuts and borrowing took leaders more than three months to put together as the state tries to pass a midyear budget fix and avoid fiscal calamity. Lawmakers viewed the leadership change as a major setback after they fell short by just one GOP vote, but Democratic leader Darrell Steinberg said he didn’t want to speculate what it would mean for the package.
“We’re after one reasonable person who puts California first,” Steinberg said as Republicans voted to remove Sen. Dave Cogdill.
Republicans replaced Cogdill with Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murietta, whom they saw as more capable of resisting tax increases. New leader Hollingsworth had told Steinberg during a pointed floor exchange Monday that Republicans weren’t going to let Democrats take from people’s pocketbooks.
“I don’t want to see a tax increase passed,” Hollingsworth said Wednesday shortly after assuming the leadership post. “I think the majority of my caucus doesn’t want to see a tax increase passed in the package. We’ll see what happens in the next few hours, next few days.”
(snip)
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/019655.html
February 16, 2009
DeVore fails in push for Villines’ ouster
The first GOP leadership challenge resulting from the budget negotiations came and went Saturday night as Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, moved unsuccessfully to unseat Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines.
In a closed-door Republican caucus before the marathon floor session, DeVore made a motion to remove Villines as GOP leader (known as “vacating the chair” in Capitol-speak). None of the other 28 Republican Assembly members seconded the motion.
“The discussion was a credit to the caucus. Nobody raised their voice, everything was logical, people made their case and I lost,” said DeVore, who is plotting a 2010 run for U.S. Senate.
DeVore’s motion was not seconded despite the fact that all of his Assembly GOP colleagues have endorsed him* in his bid to unseat Sen. Barbara Boxer, including Villines himself.
(snip)
So they need a supermajority to pass this?
Ahhh... the brink of collapse. Music to my ears. :-)
“We’re after one reasonable person who puts California first,” Steinberg said as Republicans voted to remove Sen. Dave Cogdill.
No, Darrell. Republicans are after one reasonable democrat who will stand up and vote to NOT destroy the economy with irresponsible spending, unconstitutional borrowing, and unprecedented tax increases. Just one, Darrell. We know there is no little hope for the rest of you.
Yep — 2/3 majority required.
There are 40 Senators, 15 Republicans and 25 Democrats.
Thanks. You are awake waaay too early. At least I have an excuse, being on a business trip in WDC.
But a quick question. Is the Assembly in the tank already for this budget deal? Meaning, some GOPers are going to defect and vote with Villines?
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