I had an interesting interview today. After the reporter and I covered my views on the current budget standoff we started talking about the impact the internet is having on campaigns and public policy making.
YouTube, blogs, insta-web sites, email campaigns – – – it’s a whole new day.
I, for one, am all for it. The internet brings instant communication. Instant impact. And – apparently – it can instantly set some off. Case in point is today’s interview KCRA-TV had with Senate Pro Tem Don Perata. Watch it and you’ll find Senator Perata is rather put out by the Senate Republican Caucus. He calls our unwillingness to vote for an unbalanced budget "guerrilla tactics" and seems to especially be annoyed that we "blog each other and other right wing whackos" (ouch). He says we are "terrorizing" California by standing firm (it’s interesting to note the word "terrorize" was first used in a left wing whacko blog the other day – maybe Don’s been reading them – hmmm…..something to ponder).
Overall, it seems the FlashReport has a special place in hell with the Pro Tem. He certainly was wound up in the interview.
We don’t blog to make anyone mad. We don’t do it to "whip each other up" (another charge by Senator Perata). We do it because it’s the single fastest and most accurate way to instantly communicate with our constituents and others that care about public policy. And, by the way, so do the Dems.
I’ve read all the blog posts on FR. I haven’t seen anyone on this site – or any "conservative" site call the Democrats "terrorists" or "whackos" using "guerrilla warfare tactics". I have seen principaled arguments about why California needs a balanced budget and why Senate Republicans were withholding votes until that goal was achieved. All very respectful, calm and polite.
The most "extreme" comment probably was by me when I posted the other morning how embarassing it was for the institution for all the senators to be locked in over night with guards posted at every exit. If that offended any of my Democrat colleagues – I apologize – and besides I was sleep deprived (no wonder with all that Hollingsworth snoring :o ).
OK – now that everyone knows we’re not voting for the irresponsible Assembly budget and now that everyone knows we do have a plan to balance it – it’s time to stop all the name calling and threat making. It is time to start talking. It’s time all the senators acted like the adults we’re supposed to be and worked together to come to a reasoned solution. It’s really not that hard to do.
If not, then each side will dig in and nothing, nothing will get done. But hey, maybe Don and I can work on a Rose Parade float together! (you’ll have to watch the KCRA clip to get that one!)
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
“Time to start talking”? With all due respect, the conference committee — on which the Senate Republicans were are part of — “started talking” four months ago. Then, after that conclusion of that public process, Senate Republicans offered a list of cuts, most of which were rejected by the conference committee. Senate Republicans refused to share them with the press or the public.
Now, more than five weeks after the constitutional deadline for the budget, Senate Republicans want to “start talking.” Amazing.
The Assembly budget was negotiated in good faith with the Republican Governor, Republican Assembly leader, Democrat Assembly Speaker and Democratic Senate leader. What’s “irresponsible” is the Republican Senate’s action to hold hostage the State of California’s budget. Senator Perata, as well as the Speaker, Republican Assembly leader, and Governor have negotiated in good faith for months. Perhaps it’s time the Senate Republicans do so as well.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Steve, the reality is that state government is way too big and spends too much. Being a liberal New Englander (is it true there is a poster of Teddy Kennedy in a speedo on your garage wall?), I know that you cannot even imagine such a thing.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Steve,
First off, I thought all you guys were on vacation and refused to come back and work on the budget no matter what. (or maybe that’s just those on their fancy European vacations) I’m surprised you’re even reading the FR.
Second,I know this just drives liberal Democrats nuts, but the California constitution requires a two-thirds vote of EACH house to pass a budget. Just a few years ago the public employee unions tried to change this with a constitutional amendment and the voters overwhelmingly rejected it (OVERWHELMINGLY).
So, with that history lesson – the budget did not pass the Senate. It was rejected by duly elected members and did not receive the two-thirds vote required.
All we want is a simple balanced budget. Californians deserve it. They expect it. They demand it.
Come back from vacation and get to work. There is no budget and the Assembly being on vacation makes the Assembly look a little foolish.
In all good faith…..
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Hey, this looks like a place for serious discussion.
:)
Better yet, come over to New West Notes, where there is a large audience with much discussion.
And where I insist on specifics.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Jim, keep it up. Your comments regarding senators’ sleep habits are toothless…
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Finally … a blog where all of the states budget problems can be resolved … db
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Well, Senator Battin, I was thinking of sending you a postcard saying “Wish You Were Here”!
The Assembly, the Senate/Assembly Conference Committee, and the Governor has done its job with the budget. If there’s anyone looking “foolish,” it’s your caucus (perhaps you should look at the tv coverage of your caucus over the past few days rather than this website).
The Constitution also says a budget should be passed by June 15th, and yet your post suggests the we “start talking.” Perhaps if the Senate Republicans would have negotiated in good faith, stopped “moving the goalposts,” and joined our Republican Governor, Republican Assembly leader (not exactly a liberal in anyone’s book), as well as Democrats, then the state would have the balanced budget you say you want (btw, the budget the Assembly passed is balanced with the largest reserve in history).
My point was that there was a process that began in January when the Governor submitted his budget. To suggest we “start talking” about the demands of a minority of the minority party in one body is absurd.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
OK – my turn in our comments ping pong game.
I have been watching the press – all over the state. Here’s what I’m seeing, hearing and reading:
Republicans say we want a balanced budget. Republicans say we can do this by eliminating VACANT state jobs, reform welfare by moving ABLE BODIED recipients who have already been on welfare for FIVE YEARS and never bothered with getting a job off of welfare – LIKE 48 OTHER STATES DO, and by cutting out other wasteful, unnecessary state programs.
Democrats (including you, my friend) have been calling us terrorists and whackos that are holding the state hostage (that’s not really productive). Nowhere have I seen Democrats defending their budget (with one exception – Senator Ducheny did an admirable job in the Desert Sun today).
We put forward real, responsible cuts – you name call.
Next point.
So I take your comment as an admission Assembly Democrats ignored the constitution when you passed your version of the budget 35 days AFTER the June 15th deadline. Why, after you ignore it, is it so important to you suddenly? Glass houses……
Pah-leeze – the Assembly budget is NOT balanced – not even close – and just saying it is doesn’t make it so. Pretty much everyone agrees the working deficit is $700 million. Senate Republicans find this unacceptable and will not support an out of balance budget.
The reserve you reference ($3.6 billion) is BORROWED MONEY. It is a reserve of borrowed money. I know that sounds like an oxymoron – because it is.
Again – I refer back to my original post. We are not going to pass the Assembly budget. Name calling and threat making won’t change that. We call on the Senate Democrat leadership to work with us and balance the budget.
It’s time for the Assembly to end their vacations and get back to work.
Steve – your turn.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Senate Republicans. Productive, hard-working CA taxpayer’s thank you for standing up and saying, “enough is enough!!” All the familys and business in the real world know how to live within their means, now it is time that the CA government learns to not spend more than it takes in. Hopefully the Governor and the Assembly Republicans also find a spine! Take it to the finish line and don’t compromise!
Again, thank you for interjecting some sanity.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Ah, so now I know what the Senate Republican Caucus is doing — watching TV and checking their clips!
The welfare cuts will affect 200,000 kids, you know that. 80% of the caseload is kids, and we’ve reduced it by 45% since 1998. General fund costs for CalWORKS have declined steadily. Do you think these kids and parents are going to go away? No. They’ll cost us more — both short term and long term (e.g. corrections). Heck, even Pete Wilson didn’t go that far.
As for cuts, this year’s (and last year’s and the year befores) had substantial cuts and no new taxes. Revenues are up 6% in this budget and expenditures just 1.3%.
As for the timing, the conference committee wrapped up its work prior to June 15th, and it was kept open in the hopes that their would be reasonable negotiation to close the budget by the constitutional deadline. Instead, Senate Republicans have hemmed and hawed, changed their minds, moved the goalposts, and we’re in the situation we’re in today.
In case you just missed the Governor, now is not the time to “start talking” as you insist, but conclude the seven months of discussions.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Honestly, staying in touch with our districts and the capitol by keeping tabs on the media is just about all there is to do right now. Senator Perata seems to be AWOL and there really aren’t any productive negotiations going on.
But we are waiting and willing to engage at any time. (hint, hint)
If you want to try and convince taxpayers its OK to stay on welfare when you are an able bodied adult – and have already been on the dole for five years without bothering to find a job – you go right ahead. Good luck.
Never mind that what we are proposing merely puts us in compliance with President Bill Clinton’s federal welfare reforms.
Never mind that if we don’t do this California will likely be fined $150 million in 2008 – 2009 for being out of compliance. (more on the deficit – ugh)
Never mind that 48 other states don’t offer benefits to people who are able to work, but don’t after five years.
Never mind that rather than providing better benefits to households that include drug felons, fleeing felons and undocumented immigrants, this proposal limits their benefits to that of other CalWORKs recipients who are complying with the work requirements
Never mind any of that. Stick to your guns. Go make your case to the voters that this program is worth not having a balanced budget.
And, btw – Pete Wilson did go that far. All of this was part of California’s initial welfare reform. Just over the years Democrats have chipped away at it and now we’re back to where we started.
All year long Senate Republicans have said we must have a balance budget. ALL YEAR. If you ignored us, or didn’t hear us – don’t blame us. We’ve been consistent and want to get it done as fast as we can.
To do that though – it’s time for the Assembly to come back from their vacations and get to work with the rest of us.
Come back – please – we need you!
July 27th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Not sure what part of “not coming back” the Senate Republican Caucus doesn’t understand. Assembly Democrats, Assembly Republicans, Senate Democrats, and the Governor have done their jobs.
Last time I checked candidates that embraced the philosophy of Senate Republicans (whether its on cutting kids off from state assistance or weakening CEQA) have failed to win a single statewide office. The voters of California apparently seem to be on our side.
July 27th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Ack! I thought this post would finally drop off the main post page and our ongoing ping pong comments would fade away.
At this point though it might be just you and me reading it anyway.
OK – so here’s a question for you: If the Senate Democrats and Republicans negotiate a balanced budget and pass it to the Assembly does that mean the Assembly will place their vacations over passing a budget?
Don’t be so hasty as to say the Senate Democrats won’t do that – that they will never agree to negotiate with Senate Republicans. History says otherwise.
Remember, the tactic of one house passing a budget, dumping it on the other (without their agreement) and running off on vacation, is not new. The Senate invented it.
And the Pro Tem was not real pleased when the Speaker did it this year.
Only time will tell.
Enjoy your vacations – the public needs the Assembly to come back and be involved with a negotiated solution by all involved. But we know your priorites.