THE NEW FACES OF "BIG GOVERNMENT" CONSERVATISM?
(Pictured from left to right on the top row:
Greg Aghazarian, Russ Bogh, Lynn Daucher; Second row: Bill Emmerson, Shirtley Horton; bottom row: Kevin McCarthy, George Plescia, Sharon Runner.)
How did Assembly Republicans lose their resolve?
I have now had a few days to stew on the passage by the legislature last week of the four very large bond measures (in aggregate, they call for $37.3 billion in borrowing, which makes it the single largest package of bonds ever to be considered by the electorate.).
Like many, I kept an eye on the progress of the bond negotiations. And, like many, I assumed that the same paradigm existed for these latest negotiations as was in play in the bond talks a few months ago, mainly, that the Assembly Republicans would hold the key to driving any real reforms.
The Senate was the weak link, because our Republican minority in the Senate is too small, where only two GOPers would need to be pressured/cajoled into supporting a package. This leaves Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman, a strong conservative, in a weak position. He did what he could to inject Republican principles, but could only go so far before his own members would override him. Thus, the dynamics of whether or not true taxpayer protections would be present in the package would have to be worked out in the State Assembly.
**There is MUCH more – click the link**
May 9th, 2006 at 12:00 am
It there any chance or strength to mount and carry forward a ‘spilt the package’ campaign? CAn we hope to get the real infrastructure bonds passed whilst killing the socialism parts?