A lot going on these days in the Capitol, with most
of the activity unfolding behind closed doors as rival
political forces try to hammer out a deal. But agreement
is elusive. And no matter how close both sides say
they are on the raw numbers, the political accord remains
off in the distance. This all sounds so familiar.
From the Bee's Dan Walters: "So what's different about the
2011 edition of the budget wrangle, vis-à-vis the spectacle of dysfunction the
Capitol produced in years past? Not much, as it's turning
out…Then (2009), as now, the governor had a deal with Democrats, hinging
on
new taxes, that needed a few Republican votes to enact
and an election to
ratify. Then, as now, a few Republicans were dickering
with the governor on
side issues as anti-tax forces threatened political retaliation on GOP
legislators who broke ranks."
"The deal was done in February 2009, but was then undone by voters
three months later when they rejected the package of
implementing measures.
Among other things, the election short-circuited the new taxes, which is why
Brown is now seeking Republican agreement to ask voters
to reinstate them."
The state Republican Party's approaching convention
isn't helping matters, notes Capitol Weekly's John Howard.
"Some of the toughest fighting over Gov. Brown’s fiscal
policies won’t be happening in the Capitol, it will be taking place
across the
street at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. That’s where Republicans gather at the end of next week
for their spring convention, and GOP lawmakers who
are perceived as too
enthusiastic about putting taxes before the electorate
may be in for a rough
ride."
“That’s one thing that’s driving the budget negotiations.
No Republicans want to go into the convention and get
hammered,” said a veteran
GOP strategist familiar with the inner workings of
the GOP."
Even with the $12.5 billion in cuts proposed by Gov. Brown, spending in California's budget will increase by nearly
a third over the next few years, reports Bloomberg's Michael Marois.
"Expenditures would rise to $111 billion by 2015 from
$84.6 billion in the fiscal year that begins July 1, under Brown’s plan. A
third of the increase is required by the constitution
to bolster education.
Much of the rest is for projected growth in health
care and welfare, and to
make up for lost stimulus funds, Brown’s office said."
"Republican
opposition threatens to derail Brown’s plan to repair the financial strains
that have left California with the biggest deficit
among the U.S. states and
the lowest credit rating. He wants to offset even deeper cuts
to
schools and the poor by retaining $9.3 billion a year in higher taxes and fees
that are otherwise due to expire."
The rush by cities to grab redevelopment agencies'
funds and property to head off Brown's move to abolish the agencies is
continuing at a frantic pace.
From the Bee's Robert Lewis: "Local government leaders across California are hurriedly
shifting redevelopment agency properties and money
into city coffers ahead of a
possible state move to abolish redevelopment and redistribute
unspent funds."
"It's unclear if such maneuvers will work. Gov. Jerry
Brown's proposed budget also contains language allowing
some of the transfers
to be reversed or at the least wind up in court.
"This is going to be lawyers' delight," said
John Shirey, executive director of the California Redevelopment
Association."
Talk about deep pockets: Billionaire Republican Meg Whitman's record-breaking spending during last year's gubernatorial
election didn't even put a dent in her wallet, reports the LATimes' Seema Mehta.
"Whitman’s wealth is estimated at $1.3 billion, the same
amount it was in 2010, 2008 and 2007. (Whitman saw her bank balance dip to $1.1
billion in 2009 because of a decline in the price of EBay stock)."
"Although Whitman’s personal fortune remains stable, her
ranking among the world’s billionaires dropped. She placed 938th, down from
773rd last year, according to Forbes."
And now from our "Collection Agencies Aren't That Bad, After All" file, comes the tale of Jack Herbst and the $80 debt.
"Jack Herbst, 63, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of felony criminal
mischief and booked into the El Paso County Jail on
$10,000 bond, accused of going on a rampage through Morphis'
property with a front-end loader."
"Morphis' sister, Loranne McLaughlin, said Thursday
the front-end loader carved a path of destruction at 36630 Bellemont Road that caused $250,000 worth of damage."
"The brick garage Morphis built was destroyed. The
two-bedroom addition to his home was destroyed. Six vehicles,
including a restored 1956 Willys Jeep and 1949 Chevy pickup owned by his father were overturned.
Two campers and a trailer were damaged. A propane tank
and farm equipment were destroyed. Electrical and phone
lines were ripped out."
This is when you need your sense of humor...
