The Assembly started session at 9:00 this morning, and it was obvious from the start that Republicans are not going to let the Democrats get away any longer with putting off a budget vote. As soon as Speaker Pro Tempore Sally Lieber announced, as part of the regular order of business, that there were no messages from the Governor, Assemblyman Todd Spitzer jumped up to clarify. He inquired how the governor could announce, as he did yesterday, he would veto all bills that reach his desk before the budget is passed and yet there were no “formal” messages from his office. Lieber offered some parliamentary excuse. Moments later Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee moved the orders of the day to ensure the Democrats wouldn’t skip over file item #67—a budget vote. He was assured that the legislature would move in order of the file.
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore then rose to question why bills were being passed when the governor will veto them. Running the floor at the moment, Assemblywoman Lori Saldana stated the obvious when she responded, “The governor’s statement yesterday has no impact on this house.” Assemblyman Spitzer then succeeded in getting Democrats to go on record opposing a budget vote by motioning to suspend the rules for a budget vote. It was voted down.
It’s quite entertaining watching this drama unfold. At least one party understands passing a (balanced) state budget is the real business of the legislature. Keep it up Assembly Republicans!
August 8th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Problem is both parties do not want to put their agendas on the table.
When I read the conservative blogs, I hear about Democrats not putting their budget for a vote.
Then when I read the liberal blogs, I hear about how Republicans are not listing how they are going to make a balanced budget by cutting items from the budget.
All I am seeing is posturing with no results at all.