Dateline Sacramento (6/25/2009)
Dateline Sacramento
News with a View from the California Capitol
June 25, 2009
Budget Dance Jitterbugs Along…
With California facing insolvency, the Legislature continues its annual budget dance. On Wednesday both houses of the Legislature – Assembly and Senate – met for the express purpose to reject the Democrats’ alternative to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget plan. Consistent with past practices the Democrat leadership, who control both houses of the Legislature, asserted that Wednesday’s vote was not a drill, but an opportunity for members of both parties to discuss the proposed budget measure. However, the Republican minority, opposing the plan, believe Wednesday’s actions were clearly another drill.
Mired in their rhetorical two-step, the Legislature is no closer today to solving the state’s projected $24 billion deficit than it was weeks ago when the governor first proposed his budget remedies. After weeks of budget hearings, where Republicans and Democrats alike were able to review the governor’s proposals and put forward their own plans, very little compromise has taken place between the parties involved. The conference report, which failed in both houses on Wednesday, was approved by the committee on a party-line vote – Democrats approving and Republicans opposing. However, this symbolic dance occurs annually. Each year Democrats approve their budget plan, without the support of their Republican counterparts. Failure to secure Republican support in the committee process inevitably leads to eventual failure on the Assembly and Senate floors.
In Wednesday’s floor sessions both Democrats and Republicans stressed the need to solve the state’s budget deficit before the end of the week. They explained the dire situation before them, referenced the unenviable position in which they have found themselves, and claimed to understand the expectations that the voters had placed on them. They even shared their mutual disdain for the budget proposal before them and agreed that it was an inadequate answer. Nonetheless, they could not come to agreement, and the budget measure failed as expected.
Today, with the Democrat budget plan rejected, members of the state Assembly approved “stop-gap” measures that would prevent the state from having to issue IOUs to state vendors, of which State Controller John Chiang warned if the state did not solve the budget situation. With bi-partisan support, the Assembly approved these measures. Unfortunately, the Senate was not able to secure similar bi-partisan support and the measures failed. Democrat leaders were hopeful that the passage of the “stop-gap” measures, which could raise $5 billion for the state, would give additional time for legislators and the governor to find a solution.
However, upon passage in the Assembly, Governor Schwarzenegger immediately threatened that he would veto the measures. In a written statement, the governor stated, “Since the first day we (the Governor and the members of the Legislature) began working to solve this $24 billion deficit, I have been clear: the legislature must solve the entire deficit, must make hard decisions now, and must not ask California taxpayers to foot the bill. The current proposal in the Legislature amounts to nothing more than a piecemeal proposal and a second day of drills and if passed, I will veto it because it doesn’t solve the problem.”
The governor’s stated intention to veto today’s measures and the Democrat budget-alternative means the budget dance will continue. The Legislature is set to continue meeting throughout the weekend, as their leadership and the governor attempt to choreograph a workable solution.
A Third Initiative Filed to Challenge Traditional Marriage
The passage of Proposition 8, and the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the vote of the people, has not slowed opponents of traditional marriage in their efforts to undermine our historical and cultural norms. Now, opponents have brought suit in federal court against the state’s constitutional limit on marriage. The first hearing takes place on July 2, and will consider whether plaintiffs’ arguments warrant issuing a preliminary injunction against the constitutional amendment remaining in effect.
While some have chosen the legal route to undermine marriage, others have sought change through the initiative process. In March, two independent initiatives entered circulation from the Secretary of State, for potential placement on the ballot in 2010. Although either of these two measures could repeal Proposition 8 if passed, there has not been significant action behind them. The first measure (#1356) seeks to substitute “domestic partnerships” for all marriages in California law. The second measure (#1357) restores the Supreme Court’s action when it overturned Proposition 22 and redefined marriage. Proponents of each measure must gather 694,354 valid California signatures by mid-August.
Last week, a third initiative was placed into circulation for signatures – a Constitutional Amendment that would repeal Proposition 8 (#1364). This measure has until November to collect the required signatures in order to appear on the 2010 ballot.
NEA Convention: What Role Will They Play?
The National Education Association (NEA) convention takes place July 1-6 in San Diego. Reported to be the strongest political lobby in the country, the NEA has developed a reputation for supporting candidates with liberal agendas, and pushing issues unrelated to public education or educator rights. Volunteers are needed on July 1 and 2 to assist at several exhibit tables hosted by conservative caucuses within the NEA. In particular, four groups are bucking the trend of the socially liberal lobby with exhibits on creation science, leaving homosexuality, saving the preborn, and conservative issues. If you live in the San Diego area and are willing to volunteer a block of time on either day, please contact Trudy Thomas at the CFC offices (951/354-8362).
In addition, pray for the NEA convention and this band of committed teachers. Policy discussions will take place beginning the afternoon of July 3 through the event’s closing on July 6.
Jeralee Smith, a Riverside, CA teacher, asked for specific prayer: "Our Conservative Educators Caucus has put an item on the agenda that would necessitate that the union breaks ties with the abortion industry. We invite everyone to pray that the NEA follows its own rules to treat this item fairly. We already have communication from top-level union leaders that they may break their rules which will eviscerate our proposal." Pray that voting members will be motivated by ultimate truth rather than any political agenda as they consider foundational positions on life and sexual and emotional health.
Local Links
Local Links
MOUNTAIN VIEW – In the midst of budgetary uncertainty, school districts continue to search for revenues to fund their educational programs. A Mountain View Voice staff writer looks at the unnecessary costs (financial and procedural), and challenges school districts to terminate bad teachers. Read more in the Mountain View Voice.
NEWPORT BEACH – The battle over California’s culture and same-sex marriage has also splintered some Christian denominations. St. James Anglican Church, who voted to separate from the National Episcopal Church over disagreements on biblical doctrine and the Episcopal Church’s acceptance of the ordination of gay bishops, has requested the Supreme Court to settle a property dispute. Read more in the Modesto Bee.
Opportunity “knocks”
RIVERSIDE – California Family Council continues to expand its offerings of the acclaimed The Truth Project group leader training seminars. Training in biblical worldview is a prerequisite to living out authentic Christianity in today’s postmodern culture with its subjective claims of truth.
Make plans now to attend one of the upcoming seminars to learn about matching your belief system, your actions, and your biblical worldview; equip yourself to lead others through this DVD series that asks, “Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?” Find out more!
*June 27 at Diamond Bar Evangelical Free Church in Diamond Bar
*July 18 at Peoples Church in Fresno
If you are interested in hosting a Truth Project training seminar in your area, please call (951) 354-8362 and ask for Trudy Thomas.
