For those of you up late, there is still no update out of the legislature. There is a lot of discontent among GOP legislators over the SUBSTANCE and the PROCESS tonight. I’ve spoken personally with five members tonight who were quite frustrated at the ‘expectation that they would feel comfortable voting on something with which they are unfamiliar, and which they have not had an opportunity to adequately review.’
PROP 42 "FIX" PROBLEMS – NOT TIED TO BOND PASSAGE – AND OPPOSED BY CTA
Problems with the package abound — from the ten-ton gorilla, this multi-billion dollar ‘housing’ bond (this is code for government redistribution of wealth — borrowing from all of the taxpayers to subsidize one segment of the population), to factors such as the fact that the Prop. 42 fix is not in any of the bond packages, but, rather is introduced as a separate ballot measure. There is no language stating that the 42 fix must pass for the bond measures to go into effect. This becomes important because the California Teachers Association OPPOSES ANY Prop. 42 fix — see the attached letter, along with a one-page memo that was distributed to Assemblymembers that is a ‘quick summary’ of the proposed package.
CEQA REFORM FIXES WON’T APPLY TO ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION??
Also, in another game of smoke and mirrors, negotiated reforms (CEQA and others) have been put in the package as STATUTORY changes, not constitutional ones. This means that if there is ever a Democratic Governor, he or she along with a Democratic legislature can just ‘undo’ the reforms. Relative to the CEQA release for construction projects, the relief is limited to just earthquake retrofitting of existing bridges and highways, and for levee repairs (the latter already being free from CEQA requirements when a State of Emergency is declared, which is the case).
DEMS MAY HAVE LOST A VOTE ALREADY BY UNFAIRLY PENALIZING COUNTIES IN THEIR PLAN
I just heard that Democratic Assemblyman Juan Arambula from the Fresno Area is now saying that he will not vote for the proposed plan, showing that even Democrats are not united. His problem is allegedly with an area of the proposal that provides bond moneys to city governments, but does not provide the same funding to counties. At the same time, while funds are available to counties in another part of the package, it is only on a 50-50 matching basis. Of course, who REALLY KNOWS since this is all being pushed so quickly!
Of course, what is really missing here is that we have had no opportunity here at the FlashReport to really see what is inside of these billions in borrowing — and what the money goes toward. But then again, that is the point. A fair process should allow not only this in the capitol, but those of us in the cheap-seats, to be able to review the proposal and give our meaningful input.
We still urge legislators to vote no — on the grounds of an unfair process, and substantive problems with what little we know.