INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE
Governor Schwarzenegger continues to lead negotiations with legislative leaders towards the goal of putting a massive infrastrucuture bond proposal on the June ballot — it isn’t clear if today is actually the last day to get something worked out — the ‘last day’ keeps sliding, it was last Friday. Based on my math, I think a deal could be worked out as late as Friday, but that would create a real time-crunch. I was with Senator Tom McClintock for a few minutes yesterday, and he was recalling that with Props. 57 & 58, they had like less than 72 hours to put together and turn in the ballot arguments they submitted.
The primary sticking point in negotiations is stemming from the fact that legislative Democrats insist on loading up this bond package with billions of dollars in non-infrastructure spending, and are solidly opposed to spending reforms.
From my perspective, the most movement has come from legislative Republicans who, frankly, have good reason to be skeptical and opposed to a massive borrowing plan at all. But, despite this, they have come to the table with some very reasonable deal-points, the most significant of which is some sort of meaningful commitment on a pay-as-you-go formula. But so far, Democrat leaders have been acting as if Republicans aren’t negotiating, as if they don’t understand the huge compromise being made by most conservatives to have this kind of a spending plan in the first place. Legislative Republicans have come to the table because they want to see California’s infrastructure needs met, and because they want to see this Republican Governor re-elected.
Yesterday we saw bickering between the Democrat legislative leaders, as the Senate President and Assembly Speaker made public some of their disagreements.
We’ll see how this develops throughout the day. Sounds like there is a deal to be struck, but not if Democrats take for granted the significant effort it takes for Republicans just to consider a borrowing proposal of this magnitude. They shouldn’t. I met with over a dozen GOP Assemblymembers yesterday and it has been VERY difficult for them to get to the point where they are on this package. Very difficult.
GALLEGLY
I’ve posted the lastest articles on the wild story about long-term Congressman Elton Gallegly’s bizarre story on the close of filing. The upshot is that efforts are underway (apparently being led by Congressman Darrell Issa) to keep Gallegly in the race. This dynamic is interesting as the other candidate on the GOP ballot, Michael Tenenbaum’s consultant is none other than Dave Gilliard, who is VERY close with Issa. In the meantime, a lot of interesting feedback has been coming into the FR about Tenenbaum… As Matt Drudge says… DEVELOPING…
ROBIN LOWE – A NO GO?
Veteran GOP consultant Jim Nygren must be asking himself whether one of his own clients, Hemet Mayor Robin Lowe, needs help getting dressed each morning. Having worked many campaigns myself, it is Standard Procedure to get a heck of a lot more signatures on your nomination papers than you actually need. But Lowe only got a few extra, and it turns out that she has fallen short. Apparently she had already raised a good sum of money towards her goal of claiming the GOP nomination in Riverside County’s 65 Assembly District. Now she’ll be spending a chunk on that on legal fees as a lawyer tries to get her on the ballot despite bring short on signatures. Well, it is mandatory expense for her now, because if she can’t get on the ballot — well, the point is moot. In the meantime, Nygren must be rolling his eyes. Don’t worry Jim, we all feel for you.
Have a great day!
Jon
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