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.
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March 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Phil Paule says this about Robin Lowe not getting on the ballot:
“If you are the campaign manager YOU are the one responsible for getting your candidate filed. When it does not happen, you will be a laughing stock in the campaign world for many years to come. Just ask the poor guy who failed to qualify Assembly Candidate Robin Lowe in the 65th. I won’t be hiring him any time soon.”
Jon, however, seems to side with the manager.
I always thought the job of the candidate was to raise money and look good. Accordingly, I think Phil wins this debate.
March 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
The job of the candidate IS to raise money and to look good…as well as to hire staff that you have enough confidence in to carry out the basics. If staff can’t complete the basics, whose fault is it but the candidate?
March 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Here’s an axiom that addresses Dana’s thoughts…and Phils…and one that guys like Nygren and I live with every year: Candidates Win. Consultants Lose.
March 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
As usual, Joe Justin gets it right!
It’s the JOB of the paid staff to take the slings and arrows aimed at the client-candidate. As an attorney, I’m accustomed to suffering in silence when client says “my lawyer won’t let me” or some other such nonsense.
Those of us who get paid for our efforts owe it to our clients to take the hits.
Volunteers, however, should be protected at all costs.