FLASHREPORT

*EXCLUSIVE*
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER MIKE VILLINES

"Without a strict spending limit in place, legislators have shown that they will overspend without saving for the future. We cannot continue down this path without bankrupting the state. Never again should the Legislature be allowed to spend more than the state takes in."

*EXCLUSIVE*
SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER DAVE COGDILL

"There’s a misconception that Republicans have been the ones standing in the way of a budget deal. The truth is we’re the only ones standing in the way of government and the wallets of hard-working California families. Our opposition to raising taxes isn’t ideological – it’s logical considering the collapse of our economy. Tax hikes will simply prolong and exacerbate this historic economic downturn."

*EXCLUSIVE*
Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

"While Californians are losing their jobs in a tough economy, leaders of the legislative majority are refusing to consider having state workers take off just two unpaid days per month to help relieve the state budget deficit. Ask the formerly employed workers of Circuit City or Mervyns if they would have preferred a furlough of two days a month in place of their current status: Unemployed. The entitlement mentality of California’s public sector is staggering."