Analysis: Minority Republicans play their hand to partial victory

Sac Bee ^ | 7/30/03 | Alexa H. Bluth

[NormsRevenge]

They control no statewide offices and are the minority party in both legislative chambers.

But for one month in California -- including a dramatic and exhausting 29-hour finale -- political strategists, lawmakers and others agreed: Republicans held all the cards.

[NormsRevenge]

Ahhhh. The Open Mic incident.. ;-)

Open Mic Catches California Democrats
(AP) - Unaware that a live microphone was broadcasting their words around the Capitol, Assembly Democrats meeting behind closed doors debated prolonging California's budget crisis for political gain. Members of the coalition of liberal Democrats talked about slowing progress on the budget as a means of increasing pressure on Republicans. A microphone had been left on during the closed meeting Monday, and the conversation was transmitted to about 500 "squawk boxes" that enable staff members, lobbyists and reporters to listen in on legislative meetings. More...

• Democrats' Budget Debate - Excerpts [PDF] (CA GOP Caucus)
• Calif. Budget Crisis (PPIC) | Message board

[NormsRevenge]

Ping

[Bernard]

I like the 2/3 rule to pass a budget. Heinlein wrote a story (The Moon is a Harsh Mistress??) where the government had to pass all laws with a 2/3 majority, and every third year the government could only repeal existing laws with 1/3 or more of the elected officials voting to repeal.

Every time I do my taxes I wish the same rule was in effect. That, or any senator or congressman who wants to vote on tax laws has to have a receipt and a video tape showing that he/she sat at their own kitchen table and did their own tax return.

[ysoitanly]

We MUST keep the 2/3 majority; California is one of the few states that has it, and the one who most needs it. Ceding to just a 'majority' erases the Republican voice completely on taxes. Any taxes have a sure ride to passage. That's precisely why the Dems want to pass these bills to require a simple majority. The language is hauntingly familiar - 'for the children', 'for the schools', 'you have a voice in how you money is spent' (?) etc. I hope we don't fall for it when it goes on the ballot, though a lot of good it did for Nevada. Legislating from the bench trumped that same requirement in that state.

[snopercod]

It's pretty sad what passes for "victory" by the republicans in California. A 4% budget increase in the face of a $38 billion shortfall? Puhleeze....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The Open Mic was hugh!

And Series too!!

calgov2002:

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[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Take the victories where you can get them!

[jocko12]

THE DEMWITS TOLD THE PUBBIES THERE IS ONE LOT OF PORK IN THIS BUDGET AND WE CAN DIVIDE IT!!!!

[hoot2]

""They won," declared a weary Democratic assemblyman"

"It's pretty sad what passes for "victory" by the republicans in California. A 4% budget increase in the face of a $38 billion shortfall? Puhleeze.... "

b.s. nothing has changed. n it looks like the demonRATS are going to continue chasing tax payers out...
n bringin' more homo's n illegals in....
they're gonna really have to "hit bottom", before anything will change...
hang on to your a*s, its gonna be a bumpy ride...

[goldstategop]

I do not think we won. This budget is a bunch of baloney, held together by an illegal car tax, cooking the books, and massive borrowing. If a private company passed this kind of budget, its top officers would be going to jail. Then again our bipartisan tax and spend political establishment lives under rules different from the ones they impose on the rest of us. This budget solves nothing: the day it is signed into law will be the first day of the budget crisis of 2004. Why? It doesn't cut taxes, cut spending, and establish reforms to avoid a recurrence of the deficit. It merely hopes to spend our way out of our problem and that will never be. If this is a Republican "victory," I'd like to see what a "defeat" is.

[snopercod]

I don't see increased government spending as a victory, sorry.