July 16, 2003
| TO: | Cla Members/ Systems/ Network Contacts |
| FROM: | Mike Dillon, Lobbyist Christina Dillon, Lobbyist |
| RE: | News From The Capitol |
LIBRARY CUTS FEATURED PROMINENTLY IN SENATE FLOOR DEBATE - REPUBLICAN BUDGET ALTERNATIVE FAILS PASSAGE
Yesterday afternoon, the Senate Republicans placed an alternative Budget proposal before the members of the Senate for consideration. You may recall that in previous memos, we indicated that the Senate Republicans were proposing to adopt the Governor's May Revise recommendation to eliminate all but $1 million in the Public Library Foundation as a part of their revised Budget package, to bring to the Floor for debate. The Senate Republican bill contained massive reductions in programs such as the PLF, health and welfare, the higher education system - cuts which the Democrats stated they would not support. Ultimately the bill failed on party lines, and now it is "back to the drawing board" for the Senate leadership.
Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte opened on the Republican modified measure, AB 1769-Oropeza, by stating, "We have before us Governor Davis' Budget, which was revised by the Budget subcommittees, and reflects over 100 amendments that we have incorporated. Fifteen amendments are recommendations by the Legislative Analyst's Office in how to reduce government spending. Twenty eight are suggested by Governor Davis in his January Budget or May Revise. Twenty one amendments are from Assemblymembers Richman and Canciamilla (in reference to a bi-partisan working group of two legislators in the Assembly who are attempting to break the Budget stalemate by producing their own Budget plan). The remainder are the product of discussions in the Republican caucus." Senator Brulte then added that the bill before the body is "not the February Budget plan of the Republicans. There is something in this Budget for everyone to dislike. There is a $1.166 billion hit to local government. It's what the Governor proposed and we are willing to give the Governor what he wants." Senator Brulte closed by indicating his displeasure with media reports that the bill was "dead on arrival" according to the Democrats, and that the Senate would not benefit from a full discussion on the bill.
Senate President pro Tem John Burton rose in opposition to the bill, stating that he was confused with the Republicans' contention that the bill before the house was not the Senate Republican plan, as the Republicans had been drafting amendments for three weeks, and ultimately produced "100 some-odd amendments&ldots;.it's your Budget!" Senator Burton then began highlighting, with disdain, some of the more egregious cuts to services, such as deep reductions in health and human services affecting the aged, blind, and disabled, and the proposal to all but eliminate the Public Library Foundation. Said Senator Burton, "You're cutting back the libraries? $14 million (reduction) to the libraries?" He added, "You took some of the Governor's May Revise proposals. It gave you cover for some of these things. But, you didn't pick on any of the big guys. Don't give me this thing about how you thought you had a real shot (to debate the bill.) How would you have a real shot when you're closing down the libraries and you are closing down the Coastal Commission?"
During his final remarks, Senator Brulte attempted to rebut some of Senator Burton's statements. Senator Brulte argued, "You say we don't care about poor people - that we're going to shut down the libraries. How irresponsible! We don't want to shut down the libraries. When we have had surplus money, we have funded the library foundation. The state shouldn't be funding libraries anyway. It should be a local commitment. But we have no money, so we won't fund the $14 million. Libraries aren't going to close because we don't fund something that we historically haven't funded. They have hundreds of millions in the Public Library Fund." (Note: It appears Senator Brulte is including local funding in his interpretation of the PLF.)
When the roll was opened on the measure, Senator Burton asked his members to allow the Republicans to put up their "aye" votes on the measure first in a tactical play, and then the Democrats subsequently added their "no" votes, and the bill was defeated. We spoke with Senator Burton today and thanked him for his comments in support of the libraries.
If the Budget is passed by this Friday, members of the legislature will be leaving on their annually scheduled summer month-long break. However, there does not appear to be significant movement to warrant a departure by the Senate and Assembly by Friday. Senators Burton and Brulte continue to work towards a compromise, and the Governor is scheduled to make an "important Budget-related announcement" today at 1:30. However, the Assembly still appears to be far from a resolution, and unfortunately no end is in sight.