Pledge to Grover > California Constitution

Pledge to Grover > California Constitution

Grover Norquist, Republicans and California's Future

Grover Norquist, Republicans and California's Future

Grover Norquist, Republicans and California's Future Down the Toliet

Grover Norquist, Republicans and California's Future Down the Toliet

Grover Norquist, Republicans and California's Future Down the Toliet

Grover Norquist, Republicans and California's Future Down the Toliet Continues

Victory for Grover Norquist and Republicans = Loss for California's Future

Victory for Grover Norquist and Republicans = Loss for California's Future

I am watching the California State Assembly debate AB 1781, Budget Act of 2008, on http://www.calchannel.com/.

I am infuriated by some members of the Assembly, particularly the current Republicans who seem 100% committed to fulfilling an anti-tax pledge to Grover Norquist. What kind of joke is that? Our representatives should be responsible to the people of their district and the people of California, not Grover Norquist.

As an assemblymember just stated, the current Republicans are the party of cut and run. Republicans cut taxes when times are good and run from accountability when times are bad. Republicans need to offer a counter-proposal, not continue to complain that one of their ideas was voted down and can do nothing more. Honestly?

"What is this for?"

"What is this for?"

"I could control spending with this, right?"

"I could control spending with this, right?"

Big $ Hole =

Big $ Hole =

Eureka!?

"Eureka!?"

Budget Bill is in La La Land

Budget Bill is in La La Land

A budget vote, only 48 days into the fiscal year — Cancel those Sunday plans: The Assembly and the Senate have tentatively scheduled floor votes on a budget bill that day. It does not mean a deal is imminent. Kevin Yamamura SacBee Capitol Alert John Myers Capitol Notes weblog JUDY LIN AP — 8/14/08

There has been no floor vote on the state budget yet. I do not understand why someone would choose to not use the public process to draw the public’s attention to a public matter of such critical importance as the state budget.

We are in the dark about the budget.

I have my family and friends calling me asking what is going on with the state budget? Have they voted on the budget yet? What’s holding up the budget? Any idea on when it’s going to be passed? I heared X about the budget, is it true? And a whole string of other questions.

There are 120 legislators. Two houses of the legislature: Senate and Assembly. Each house has a majority party and minority party leader. The 4 legislative leaders and the governor normally hammer out the budget and move on. But these folks are not even talking to each other. There has been a total breakdown in communication.

Lack of communication is the reason why we are in the dark.

12 days ago, I was excited and nervous to see my friend (and boss :-) ) announce that he is running for Governor of the Great State of California. The next day we woke up bright and early and drove to San Luis Obispo for the 7th Annual UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference; that sure was a long drive (~8 hours round trip). I wanted to be sure to post his announcement video here.