SENATE DEMOCRATS RETREAT TO COMFORT ZONE OF NAME-CALLING, PUBLICITY STUNTS, AND SCARE TACTICS

"The partisan mudslinging by State Senate Democrats highlights their unwillingness to have an open, honest, and respectful dialogue on balancing the state budget.  Rather than candidly evaluating the state's fiscal capacity, Democrats are content with continuing their back door financing schemes and saddling Californians with immediate and future debt.   

"With a projected $5 billion deficit in 2008, Senate Democrats have retreated to their comfort zone of name-calling, publicity stunts, and scare tactics, rather than dealing with the tough decisions of balancing the state budget.

"The flagrant lack of respect and civility shown by California Democrats should not be surprising.  A few years ago Speaker Fabian Nùñez and several Democrats purposely conspired to hold up budget negotiations in an effort to impact the poor for political purposes.  In the Senate, Pro Tem Don Perata has purposely locked out legislators and has ordered the lockdown of the capitol when budget negotiations seemed to be cutting into the Senator's travel plans.

"Republicans have presented real answers to hard questions and real solutions towards an end to the debt and spending-spree of the last six years.  Democrats need to end their political posturing and childish name-calling as there is still work to be done- the difficult but necessary task of balancing the budget while honoring our commitment to protect California taxpayers, the disadvantaged, and poor will not resolve itself." 

Hector M. Barajas, Communications Director, California Republican Party

Unwilling To Modify His Vacation Plans, Nùñez Spokesperson Calls Republican Senators Terrorists

"But that is a nonstarter because the Assembly has already left town -- and Speaker Fabian Núñez has no intention of bringing his members back until after summer recess is over on Aug. 20. That raises the possibility that the stalemate could drag on for several more weeks, with only negative consequences for the state. Understandably, passions are running high. ‘We don't negotiate with terrorists,' Núñez's spokesman...referring to Senate Republicans." ("Cleaning Up The Budget Mess," San Francisco Chronicle Editorial, 7/24/07)

Senate Pro Tem Don Perata's Childish Name Calling

"‘Don't ask me about the end-game.  I have no idea.  All I know is I'm not going to be terrorized by a small group of ideologues,' Perata said." ("Compromise Elusive As Calif. Republicans Seek Budget Cuts," NBC 11, 7/25/07)

"Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, accused the Republican holdouts of ‘fiscal terrorism' for delaying serious negotiations on spending." (Tom Chorneau, "GOP Offers Spending Cutbacks," San Francisco Chronicle, 7/26/07)

Speaker Fabian Nùñez Debates Prolonging California Budget Crisis

"In meeting that was thought to be private but was actually broadcast around the Capitol on Monday, 11 Assembly Democrats debated prolonging California's budget crisis to further their political goals. Members of the Democratic Study Group, a caucus that defines itself as progressive, were unaware that a microphone in the Committee Room 127 was on as they discussed slowing progress in an attempt to increase pressure on Republicans to accept tax increases as part of a deal to resolve the state's $38-billion budget gap.... Fabian Nunez, also of Los Angeles agreed, ‘If you don't have a budget, it helps Democrats,' he said.  While a delay might serve the tactical advantage of Democrats, its consequences are already being felt by students, vendors and the poor: Since the new fiscal year began July 1 without a budget, the state has already begun to cut off money to some programs." (Evan Halper and Nancy Vogel, "Democrats Discussed Extending Budget Crisis," Los Angeles Times, 7/22/03)

Speaker Fabian Nùñez Wanted To "Precipitate A Crisis" Over The Budget

"Members of the Assembly Democrats' progressive caucus were heard making candid, if not intemperate, statements such as one by Los Angeles Assemblyman Fabian Nunez that they may want to ‘precipitate a crisis' over the budget this year.  That might persuade voters to lower the two-thirds vote threshold needed to pass a spending plan, he reasoned." (Lynda Gledhill, "Demos Caught In Budget Gaffe," Sacramento Bee, 7/22/03)

Senate Pro Tem Don Perata's Scare Tactics: Locks Out Legislators "As Punishment"

"Three Democratic senators arrived in the Capitol on Monday morning to a rude awakening: The keys to their offices no longer worked.  Over the weekend, Senate leader Don Perata had ordered the locks on the offices of newly elected Sens. Ron Calderon, Lou Correa and Gloria Negrete-McLeod as punishment for attending a fundraiser dinner Thursday, hosted by the Assembly moderate caucus." (Shane Goldmacher, "Perata Punishes Three With Lockout," Sacramento Bee, 3/14/07)

Senate Pro Tem Don Perata Locks Down Capitol Over Budget Impasse

"A stubborn disagreement over whether to cut a tiny fraction of California's $145 billion budget proposal led to a rare legislative lock-down that left state senators stuck in their chamber Saturday.  The Senate's leader, a Democrat, took the unusual step after Republicans refused to reconsider their demand for a balanced budget and Democrats said they would agree to no more cuts.  Lawmakers needed permission to exit the chamber. Some slept at their desks, listened to iPods or read. Others huddled on the Capitol balcony drinking wine and beer from plastic cups as the grueling, late-night session churned into Saturday morning."  ("Calf. Senate Locked Down Over Budget Impasse," Associated Press, 7/21/07)

Back to News and Press