So here we are, in record-setting late-budget territory.  The good news is — we have a budget deal, right?  Or do we?

Last Friday it was announced that there was a budget deal.  It’s now Monday, and I am looking for word on what is in that budget deal?  Of course, there is no public document on what is in the budget deal because — well — because of the dysfunctional system.

Presumably last Friday the "Big 5" (Governor, Democrat and GOP leaders of each chamber) got together, with their key budget staff members, and hammered out something they all felt comfortable (on the part of the legislative leaders) bringing back to their caucus.  (I should add that there is no doubt in my mind that the union bosses are so integrated on the Dem side that they will have been heavily consulted during the Big 5 talks, and thus were participants to that process).

So now we are in this "window period" where the budget deal is being taken to all of the legislators, and it is also being discussed with key constituency group leaders and I’m sure details are getting out now to those lobbyists and consultants who have close relationships with the legislators.  Also, during this time, I’m sure the the Democrats who control the process are actually writing up the actual language for the budget and trailer bills (which then gave to be combed over by Republicans to make sure that it matches up with the deal).

The big problem here is that, once again, the group that is left in the dark until the last minute?  The public.  I would imagine that at some point much closer to when legislators are expected to vote on what will be a big, fat and complex budget document, much of the details will be made public.  But there is never enough notice. 

I am trying to remember the last time budget text with substantive summary documents were released in time for them to be widely distributed and for legislators to gather feedback (besides from the interest groups wealthy enough to have lobbyists in their employ) from constituents — and then have a process in place to get good ideas that come from that exchange back to a place where they can be considered as potential changes.

I know, I am an idealist, and at this point we should just acknowledge the genius of our democratic republic, and rely on the good people we have elected to make their decision up there in Sacramento, free of armchair quarterbacking from taxpayers.

And from the 30,000 foot level, as a conservative, a no new taxes budget that includes a lot of cuts can’t be that bad (can it)?  We’ll see.  The challenge, of course, is if when the details do come out, if I have a problem with anything, will it matter?  The budget train will be steaming down tracks for a vote on final language…  Perhaps the bigger question is whether legislators with issues can do anything about it?   Then again, they already have.  The "Big 5" deciding the whole budget is a function of State Senators and Assemblymembers delegating their authority away.

Oh well, at some point in the next few days, the curtain will be pulled aside, and the public will see what the political elites already know — which is the details of a seemingly impossible to arrive at budget deal.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 4th, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.