Posted on 06/14/2011 8:22:00 AM PDT by SmithL
Two days before the state budget deadline and with no sign of a deal, Gov. Jerry Brown said Monday he would consider using accounting gimmicks to balance California's budget deficit, despite his longstanding promise not to.
His changing rhetoric, following months of failed talks with Republicans, comes as Brown braces for the Legislature to send him a budget that does not include the tax revenue he is seeking.
"I will take a very hard look at it," Brown told reporters at the Capitol. "We've had discussions with the leadership, and I've told them the way I see things, and we'll see what happens when they bring it down."
Such a move would be politically perilous for Brown's still-young governorship, but it remains unclear if he would follow through.
Brown, who is trying to close the state's remaining $9.6 billion deficit, said he is still negotiating with Republicans and would continue to after Wednesday's rarely-met constitutional deadline. The Democratic governor could continue talks without committing to a budget for as long as 12 days after it is passed, the time he has to sign or veto it.
Brown has long said that he would sign only two kinds of spending plans, one relying on voter-approved taxes – a plan requiring a two-thirds majority in the Legislature and at least two Republican votes in each house – or one imposing all cuts.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Isn't that slang for 'cooking the books'?
Well, well it looks like Gov. Moonbeam is between a sh*t and a sweat. This is going to be really fun to watch.
I thought he had a “plan”?
The only plan I’ve seen so far is leaving everything the way it is and the occasional token gesture like hot dogs at the inauguration to show how serious he is about cutbacks.
If Jerry Brown coached a football team, that team would punt on every first down.
I googled your colorful phrase and the first (only?) hit is at the DU. Where does it come from?
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