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)
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.