Sacramento Democrats Govern While Republicans PoutPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Dec. 19‚ 2008EDITOR'S NOTE: After I wrote this piece yesterday afternoon, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he intended to veto the new budget package. If he follows up on this threat, he is as bad as the obstructionist Republicans in the state legislature. Ideologues never let the facts, the times or the circumstances intrude on their dogma – but it’s easy to be that way when you’re not in the majority. For years, Republicans in the state legislature have pledged never to vote for a tax increase whatsoever. No matter if it’s 2008, 2005 or 2003; the state could get hit by a meteor, an avalanche or even a tsunami – but the Republican minority still won’t vote to raise taxes. Now the state is facing a real tsunami: a $40 billion budget deficit that has forced us to cease public works projects, and will deplete the state coffers by February. So the Democrats – led by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and State Senate President Darrell Steinberg – have taken upon themselves to pass an $18 billion rescue package, with clever manipulations of the state constitution to skip the two-thirds vote requirement. Republicans are screeching bloody murder, and it’s no guarantee Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will go along. But if you’re serious about actually governing, passing it is essential. |