Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed Democratic budget bill

[Jeanfromfillmore]

Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed Democratic budget bill
WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed the Democratic budget plan, restarting negotiations over how to close the state's $9.6 billion deficit.
Brown said he vetoed the entire set of budget bills passed by majority Democrats on Wednesday in Legislature because he had a number of concerns about the package.
The plan included several provisions that would likely face a legal challenge, including imposing a $12 fee on vehicle registrations and an extension of a hike in the sales tax.
Brown said the plan sent to his desk reflects some positive work but does not go far enough.
"I am vetoing today because I don't want to see more billions in borrowing, legal maneuvers that are questionable and a budget that will not stand the test of time," Brown said in an online video message after announcing the veto on his Twitter account.
The plan was widely seen as a placeholder until Brown could compromise with Republican lawmakers over whether to extend a series of expiring tax increases.
Lawmakers passed the budget just a day ago for the coming fiscal year to meet a constitutional deadline for sending a balanced budget to the governor. Democrats said it's not their ideal plan but it allows Brown to continue negotiating with Republicans over extending expiring tax increases to fund schools for next year.
University of California president Mark Yudof and Board of Regents chairman Russell Gould said the plan was not acceptable for California's public universities and that they want to send a clear message to Brown and the Legislature: No more cuts to higher education.
The budget plan would have cut a combined $300 million from the UC and California State university systems.
Democrats said the plan would reduce the state's remaining $9.6 billion deficit and raises no new taxes.
"So like any budget, you've got some risks. This budget itself has many, many fewer risks than almost any budget in my memory," said Assemblyman Robert Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys). "It is a very solid budget without gimmicks we've seen in the past several years."
However, Republicans said it's all smoke and mirrors.
"It's filled up with a lot of gimmicks and borrowing and very loose-standing legal opinions on how we can do some of the things they're attempting to do," said Assemblyman Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills)."It's not a real balanced budget."
Under the budget plan, public schools would not receive $3 billion in borrowed money, UC and CSU schools will each be cut another $300 million, some online retailers like Amazon.com will have to start charging sales tax and rural residents must pay $150 a year for fire protections.
Some Californians said a budget deadline should not influence lawmakers.
"I would rather have them still stay and work it out, even if it has to be a late budget, because I think we need that money. Especially since they borrowed it, they need to pay it back," said teacher Kathy Skelly.
If lawmakers had missed the deadline, they would have had to forfeit their daily salary of $261 and also their $142 in per diem expenses they received.

[ilbegone]

It's a cynical distraction.

The Democrats were looking for a way to scam around the pay forfeiture for not putting out a budget. I don't believe anything will change until there is a meltdown and the rats who caused it all scurry off the ship.