This Week Inside the Capitol

As of last Friday, just over 300 legislatives bills had been submitted in California’s Assembly and Senate. Four weeks remain before the deadline for submission, but don’t be fooled by the word “deadline.” Many bills now being submitted are simply “spot” or “placeholder” bills; in other words, some bills being submitted are quite vague, and are only holding a “spot” for content that is later added, which is often much more aggressive.

California’s budget is receiving more attention, and Democrat leadership has given a “thumbs up” to Governor Jerry Brown’s plans to take the extended timeline of higher taxes – and tax raises – to a vote of the people. 

Governor Brown is also making plans to push for significant cuts in social programs and to the University of California and California State University systems. Brown verbalizes bi-partisan decision-making, and perhaps to his credit his decisions are receiving bi-partisan derision.

However, pro-life and pro-family voters beware, as Brown shows no willingness to honor your perspectives and opinions. With openly homosexual Assembly Speaker John Florez and anti-Prop 8 Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, legislative bills regarding same-sex marriage, hate crimes and bullying (AB 9), employer “discrimination” (SB 117), pro-homosexual curriculum (SB 48), and enhanced legal protections for Planned Parenthood are already submitted or in the draft stages. 

Please pray for the Legislature and the governor to give their time and attention to long-term, sacrificial solutions to the state’s budget deficit. But be prepared to speak loud and often to your elected representatives, and to enlist the voices of others, in opposition to “progressive” and immoral legislation.