Unfortunately, Senate Republicans, except for Sen. Maldonado, decided they would continue holding up the budget in an effort to address concerns they have with environmental regulations. Let me be perfectly clear - it is unacceptable to hold up the budget, and negatively impact the entire state, over a non-budget issue. Once the Republican senators achieved their promise to balance the budget, they should have joined Sen. Maldonado and passed it. The budget is now six weeks late, leaving one of the world's largest economies without a spending plan. The ramifications are real and far-reaching.