Breaking News:California Budget passed after long battle

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Breaking News:California Budget passed after long battle

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California lawmakers passed a long-awaited budget early Thursday morning after an epic battle that involved several all-night sessions and political concessions, sending the package to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is expected to sign it today.

During the late-night negotiations moderate Republican Abel Maldonado brought out a photograph of former Governor Reagan at a tax bill signing in 1972. He said he never thought he would have to defend California against members of his own party.

In passing the tax portion of the package, Republicans who broke from their party harkened back to former California governor Ronald Reagan's decision to pass tax increases during hard economic times."What would Ronald Reagan do? Ronald Reagan would vote yes," said Sen. Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield.

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State Sen. Abel Maldonado (L) (R-Santa Maria) jokes with Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield). Senate leaders were able to secure the final vote needed from Maldonado, a moderate, by agreeing to his demands for election changes, government reform and removal of a gas tax increase, giving them the two-thirds vote needed to pass the package.

Concessions made:
Legislators Leaders met Maldonado's demands to remove a provision to increase the gas tax, freeze legislators' salaries in deficit budget years and to eliminate new office furniture budgeted for the state controller.
Also Legislators agreed to ask voters to revise the state's constitution to allow open primaries for legislative, congressional and gubernatorial elections in order to win Maldonado's support.

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Thursday, February 19, 2009