Free Republic

It was apparent months ago that the annual theatrics surrounding the state budget would be submerged into the power struggle between Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature's dominant Democrats, one headed for a ballot showdown in November. It was also apparent that the timing of the budget would be a political hinge point. Democrats were insisting that Schwarzenegger give the schools another $3 billion - and raise taxes to finance it - but were Democrats to stall passage of a budget on that issue, it would give Schwarzenegger some rhetorical ammunition. He could use it to urge voter approval...

Although most of the mainstream media reported on the Budget vote, it was interesting all of the interesting facts and details they left out of their reports. So I thought you might be interested in some of more relevant details not discussed. Read More... Craig DeLuzVisit The Home of Uncommon Sense… www.craigdeluz.com

Democrats' decision not to fight Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over education funding in this year's budget was prompted largely by the politics of the expected special election -- and a lack of support from the education lobby, which didn't want yet another ballot fight. According to Democratic legislators -- who spoke on background -- there was a growing feeling among the House and Senate leadership that the ongoing fight between Schwarzenegger and the public employee unions was going to overshadow any serious discussion of the budget. "Between the attitude of the governor and the reaction of the unions, the Legislature is...

Sacramento -- Democratic lawmakers, dramatically shifting strategy as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prepares to call a special election, endorsed a budget on Friday that does not raise taxes to increase education funding and promised to vote on the spending plan by next week's constitutional deadline. Assembly and Senate leaders said they would push separately for a plan to boost education funding -- possibly a ballot measure -- but did not disclose details. By not linking a major school finance increase to next year's budget and averting a protracted budget battle, Democrats hope to deprive Schwarzenegger of the ability to paint them...

Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have reached key compromises on a budget deal, signaling a possible end to a 26-day deadlock that proved to be one area where the new governor's exuberance and charm has failed to deliver a swift victory. Although officials close to the negotiations say the final deal has not been completed, state Assembly members have been called and told to return to the Capitol on Tuesday for a possible vote on the budget Wednesday. A number of lawmakers in Boston for the Democratic National Convention have been told to return and are preparing to do...

The Terminator is enlisting new terminators and urging them to get rid of the "girlie men" in the California state Legislature who are blocking his budget from passage. According to the Associated Press (AP), Gov. Schwarzenegger said that lawmakers should act in a bipartisan manner and put the people's interests first. He charged that Democrats were holding up the budget by refusing to back down on issues favorable to trial lawyers and unions. "If they don't have the guts to come up here in front of you and say, 'I don't want to represent you, I want to represent those...

I've been listening all afternoon to the media about the "massive" spending cuts proposed by our new governor. Well here are the numbers compared to the budget proposed just one year ago.Total Spending -- increased 2.8%Education K-12 -- decreased 1.8%Health and Human Services -- increased 5%Higher Education -- increased 6.7%Business, Transportation and Housing -- increased 0.7%Courts -- increased 2.2%Tax Relief (principally the VLF) -- increased 293%Local Government Subventions -- decreased 9.6%Youth and adult Corrections -- increased 1.5%Resources -- decreased 51%Enviornmental Protection -- decreased 20%State and Consumer Services -- increased 4.5%Other -- decreased 29%

<p>In his first major address since taking office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger focused on his plans to improve the state's business climate, reduce government waste and improve public education.</p> <p>The speech, delivered to a worldwide television audience as well as a joint session of the California Legislature, sets the aggressive legislative agenda for the coming year for the new administration as well as a turning point in the transition of the Hollywood idol into the political leader of the nation's most populous state.</p>

<p>California's prison population is expected to drop by 15,000 in the next year and a half as the result of budget-cutting measures that could lead to units or entire facilities being closed, the state Department of Corrections said Wednesday.</p> <p>That would represent a decrease of almost 10 percent, a significant reversal from years of steadily increasing numbers in the badly overcrowded prison system.</p>

Open mike picks up faction's talk of profiting from a crisisSacramento -- The state's budget crisis took a surreal turn Monday after a frank discussion by a group of Democrats on the budget and its impact on their re-election was accidentally broadcast throughout legislative and reporters' offices. Members of the Assembly Democrats' progressive caucus were heard making candid, if not intemperate, statements such as one by Los Angeles Assemblyman Fabian Nunez that they may want to "precipitate a crisis" over the budget this year. That might persuade voters to lower the two-thirds vote threshold needed to pass a spending plan,...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (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. Some members of the group, including Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, said if the budget crisis...

<p>Legislation that would offer California teachers immediate "golden handshakes" to help ease the prospect of layoffs got snared Thursday in interparty political bickering.</p> <p>The measure, AB 1207, would give public school systems and community college districts two options to entice teachers who are near retirement age to leave this summer.</p>

<p>An electricity supplier has filed a $5 billion claim against California, saying the state's efforts to break the company's power contracts harmed its finances and hurt its stock price.</p> <p>The claim represents an escalation of a feud between the state and Allegheny Energy Inc., a troubled power conglomerate based in Maryland. The state sued Allegheny over the power contracts in January.</p>

SACRAMENTO – Joined by Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully, Assemblymembers Todd Spitzer (R-Orange), Jay La Suer (R-La Mesa), Ken Maddox (R-Garden Grove) and John Benoit (R-Palm Desert) said today that the unintended consequences of a Democrat-sponsored budget bill will lead to the early release of criminals convicted of serious offenses. The GOP legislators, who between them have more than 90 years of service in law enforcement, discussed the potential effects of AB 12x at a press conference outside the State Capitol. AB 12x passed on a Democrat-led party-line vote January 28th by a vote of 43-33 and is currently...

<p>Everybody knows that the floor of a state Legislature is no place to look for people who are in touch with reality. But the Assembly's version of the state budget, passed last weekend after a two-month delay, amounts to a fantasy on top of a pipe dream above a flight of fancy.</p>

<p>SACRAMENTO (AP) - Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson proposed Tuesday to abandon a plan to raise California's car tax and instead increase cigarette taxes to $3 a pack -- the highest in the nation.</p> <p>"This tax is a voluntary tax. If you don't smoke, you don't pay the tax," said Wesson, D-Culver City.</p>