CA: Brulte warns he'll campaign against rebels - Republicans who support tax hikes could be targeted

On the eve of serious negotiations to bridge the state's historic budget gap, the Republican leader of the Senate told lawmakers of his party that he would campaign against anyone who joins Democrats in voting for tax increases.

Sen. Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga said Tuesday at a meeting of Republican legislators that he would go to their districts to debate them on the issue of tax increases and raise money for their opponents.

From the Murky Noise --

GOP leader issues warning

BRULTE TELLS REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS THEY BETTER NOT VOTE FOR TAX HIKES

SACRAMENTO - The state's top Republican legislative leader has given fellow GOP lawmakers a stark message on California's budget woes: If you vote for taxes, we'll come after you.

Over a private lunch of turkey sandwiches and salads Tuesday, Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte issued his threat to colleagues from both houses.

``I'm going to exercise my right to call them on it,'' Brulte said Wednesday, readily acknowledging that he's prepared to unseat disloyal lawmakers.

``I let people know that I feel so strongly about this that I might actually do something I normally don't do, which is argue against the election of an incumbent Republican,'' Brulte added, denying he issuing any ultimatums.

Brulte's tough, partisan tone casts doubt on whether lawmakers can pass a budget before the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. Democrats who control both houses want a tax increase to stave off cutbacks, but cannot pass a budget without Republican votes. Brulte's comment could portend a long standoff, which could jeopardize plans to borrow billions.

Even though Brulte declared his 15 Senate Republicans are unified against taxes, he felt compelled to make the forceful presentation. Brulte even laid out what kind of campaign he would wage against Republicans who vote for higher taxes, complete with sample hit-piece advertisements. And to applause, Brulte played a tape on which he voiced his budget views.

Brulte is seeking to enforce party discipline rarely displayed among GOP lawmakers in Sacramento. And he's digging in his heels just as the drive to recall Gov. Gray Davis is picking up steam.

While Brulte denies any tie to the recall, some Republican elected officials who are backing the bid to oust Davis seem loath to give him a victory on the budget while the recall petitions are being circulated.

Steve Maviglio, the governor's press secretary, described Brulte's comments as ``outrageous'' because lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are seeking a compromise ``and they get slapped for being responsible.''

Emerging from a meeting with Davis and other legislative leaders on the budget, Assembly GOP Leader Dave Cox of Fair Oaks kept his distance from Brulte's comments. Asked if he would also campaign against Republicans who back new taxes, Cox said, ``It's not something I would do.''

Brulte said Davis and legislative leaders focused on transportation and whether to repeal or suspend mandates to local governments, but it was unclear whether they made any progress in reaching an agreement on bridging the state's $38.2 billion budget gap. Davis has proposed a temporary one-half cent sales tax to repay a bond that would be used to help bring spending and revenues into balance.

One Republican who attended the secret session described it as ``brazen intimidation.'' ``The whole point of this was to make sure people stay on the reservation,'' said the Republican, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The source recalled Brulte saying ``he'd actively oppose, raise money and actively campaign against any Republican who voted for taxes.''

Sen. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert, said he agreed with Brulte's comments, which he characterized as ``passionate.'' Battin said he's never voted for tax hikes and supports tax foes in contested Republican primaries. ``I don't want people in my caucus who are going to'' back taxes.

Brulte is no stranger to hardball politics. A decade ago, Brulte nearly toppled legendary Assembly Speaker Willie Brown but was foiled by another Republican, Assemblyman Paul Horcher, who refused to support Brulte. Eventually, Horcher was recalled, with Brulte helping to finance the campaign.

Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson, D-Los Angeles, said he was appalled by Brulte's comments. ``You bring your caucus together by explaining the problem,'' he said. ``You don't do that by threats.''

Sen. Bruce McPherson, R-Santa Cruz, who attended part of the lunch, said that he knows that as a moderate he is seen as a potential vote for a budget with a tax increase, but he did not indicate any animosity over Brulte's comments. ``This budget is so far out of whack . . . there's no way in the world I would vote for it now.'' McPherson said.

But he did leave the door ajar to new taxes, saying, ``I'd have to see a bundle of reductions before I'd go for any tax increase.''

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