One Republican Holding the Budget Hostage

"This budget is late 31 days and I think it is time we start moving forward," said Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), who was under pressure from his caucus to continue holding out but voted for the measure. "We are getting more than we asked for with this budget."

Maybe it isn't the greatest frame to lead this post with a quote from a Republican, but you know what, Maldonado deserves some props for his vote last night to approve the budget. He broke ranks from the gang of 15 Republican Senators who had vowed to stick together in a suicidal pact to hold out for gaping cuts to essential state services, tax cuts and limiting the power of Attorney General Brown to go after polluters.

Robert has a great five point post up at Calitics and I am going to paraphrase right now, because he is just so completely right on.

1. It is the Republican Senators and the Republicans alone that are holding up the budget. The "Republicans are being irresponsible and reckless" in holding this up."
2. The budget that passed the Assembly and is now in front of the Senate is balanced.
3. What the Republicans are demanding are "unnecessary and spiteful cuts to public services. Cal-WORKS was was a bipartisan reform program that has been a proven success. Child health care - who in their right mind would oppose this? Aid to the elderly - why do Republicans want to cut that?"
4. One of the main motivations for this obstruction is an attempt to gut the landmark global warming legislation that the legislature passed last year. "hey're using hostage tactics to gut AB 32. They want the state to be totally unable to act to save our environment and mitigate our carbon output."
5. "Their delaying tactics are financially irresponsible, leaving workers unpaid, schools without money on the eve of the new year, and families without health care as a result of the Republicans' unwillingness to do their job and pass a budget."

One vote away and there is no end in sight.

"It seems like every time we take a step forward, they ask us to take two steps back," Perata said. "The state budget is being held up by Republicans."

The stalemate threatens to drag on for several weeks. The Senate adjourned Wednesday night with no plans to return.

Already, some $1.1 billion in payments have not been made to schools, hospitals, community colleges and social service programs.

A prolonged impasse could trigger a financial crisis at any number of smaller healthcare and social service institutions that do not have reserve funds and are unable to access bridge loans. Vendors are not getting paid. Some have already refused to supply services until a budget is in place. The state also could see its credit rating downgraded.

"I was prepared to eliminate the operating deficit as requested, therefore the Senate should have approved the budget," the governor said. "My job now is to make sure this does not shut down state government."

Arnold had offered to "blue-line" about $700 million extra out of the budget. His recent efforts to persuade two Republicans to play ball have not been successful. They are now severely damaging the state, with long term implications. Californians are suffering as a direct result of the inability of Controller Chiang to be able to pay the state's bills. I feel like I write it every day, but it's true. This thing just gets worse for hardworking Californians each day that this stretches on.