That’s why the Assembly has stalled, we’re hearing. The education part of the budget bill would statutorily put into language a payback of $11 billion in education funds denied to schools under the Proposition 98 mandate. The Yacht Party doesn’t want to pay it back. And that’s because they don’t want to pay for it in the future.
The result of not writing into language a payback of these funds will be that education interests will sue, and win, and it will likely cost the state more in the long run. But you can say “it will cost the state more in the long run” about virtually every aspect of the budget, so why should that trouble anyone?
…so the Assembly came back in session briefly to vote for permanent freezing of COLA in social services programs, and CalWorks and IHSS anti-fraud measures. It got 43 votes, and only needed a majority, so it passes. Still nothing on the Prop. 98 payback changes.
…Unbelievable. This is from Asm. Dave Jones:
Asm. Reeps holding up $24 B in budget solutions due to spat with Senate Reeps. Asm. Reeps kidding themselves if they think Senate returning
7 minutes ago from mobile webAsm. Reeps mad because Senate Republicans because Sen. Reeps sent over one bill not two on educ. cuts & Prop 98 repayment. Dont they talk?
10 minutes ago from mobile web
I’m guessing they’re pissed because they wanted to be able to vote against the repayment – which could pass by majority vote – and for the cuts to education. Complete political posturing. Too late, the Senate jammed them, and now they’ll either walk the plank or blow up the whole thing. Because they want to be successful thieves that don’t pay back what they steal.
while the uncertainty exists. Load up on that hand sanitizer, kids.
be the impediment that blocks the whole thing.
Republicans are doing so well on this budget that the Democrats ought to be able to include a provision that one of the Republican legislators will be chosen by lot and stoned to death — and still see the damned thing pass.
By the way, next Santa Barbara oil spill, I expect to see big headlines saying that the Democrats passed the bill allowing drilling with Republicans voting against it. Can anyone figure out whether the Democratic leadership disagrees — or whether this simply hasn’t occurred to them?