There hadn’t been that much to actually do about the budget mess.  Personally, I’ve seen as many cute web videos as I can take.  This is from today’s BearFlagBlue (thank you Sean):

Budget details are beginning to emerge and more rumors of a vote on Friday are floating around…but will it pass?

With Cogdill noncommittal, Correa a likely no, and Maldonado at least right now a definite no, there does not seem a strong change that the bill has the votes to pass the Senate.

The result of that is likely on Friday, the Governor firing 20,000 state employees. High stakes if Maldonado ends up being the deciding vote. In essence he will have put the lives of 20,000 state workers in turmoil over a petty dispute with Controller.

The GOP’s latest excuse for why they just can’t vote on the budget comes down to office furniture. The issue isn’t taxes or spending caps at all according to them. What’s important, is preventing Controller John Chiang from getting a new office chair…at all costs. 20,000 state employees be damned.

Seriously.

What the hell is wrong with these people?

 

And most specifically:  what the hell is wrong with Abel Maldonado?

Your state Democratic party helped reelect this guy.  He’s being a bad, bad dog.

Ideas for better discipline for Abel Maldonado after the flip.

And Abel is actually proud of this.

He’s playing this up to the hilt on his GOP nut job caucus web page:

State Controller is Out of Control

John Chiang wants to spend your tax return money on new office furniture

State Controller John Chiang has already spent $2 million on new office furniture in the past seven months. Now we’ve learned he’s asking for another $1 million in this year’s budget for more furniture!

John Chiang claims that he’s not responsible for the money because it was approved by the previous controller. The $2 million was requested in the last seven months! John Chiang has been in office for two years! Tell the controller to stop passing the buck and stop the spending now.

Help stop this insanity. Tell the controller that you want your tax refund. Tell him to stop spending your tax dollars on new office furniture. Click here to email the State Controller’s Office or call him at (916) 445-2636.

Well, yeah, it’s time to stop the insanity.  Only problem — calling Chiang would be barking up the wrong tree.

But Maldonado’s site helpfully tells us where the right trees are:

Capitol Office

State Capitol, Room 4082

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 651-4015

Fax: (916) 445-8081

San Jose Office

100 Paseo de San Antonio, #206

San Jose, CA 95113

Phone: (408) 277-9461

Fax: (408) 277-9464

Monterey Office

590 Calle Principal

Monterey, CA 93940

Phone: (831) 657-6315

Fax: (831) 657-6320

San Luis Obispo Office

1356 Marsh Street

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Phone: (805) 549-3784

Fax: (805) 549-3779

If you live near any of these places, consider getting a few friends together and raising some holy hell.  Be creative.  And consider inviting local media along for the ride.

I have been furious for the last year at Don Perata’s idiotic decision not to run someone against Maldonado in last year’s election.  We’re paying for that now.  And unless we really rub Abel’s nose in the mess he’s making, he’ll keep right on making them.

Abel’s been a bad dog folks.  Let’s see how well he does agility testing when folks start running at him.