[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Assembly leader Mike Villines apparently is beginning to parrot Tom McClintock when it comes to partisan attacks from the ultra-right.

In an interview with Sanjoaquinvalleyfornia, Villines took aim at Democrats and environmentalists, pulling no punches in an angry interview with a Central Valley reporter. He blamed Democrats for the lack of a water deal and the budget stalemate.

"That's a liberal minority of people these environmentalists, who I call whackos, who are totally out of touch with reality (that) are controlling the legislative process," said Villines of his legislative colleagues who are blocking the large-scale construction of dams that Villines wants to make with taxpayer dollars.

Here's another olive branch from Villines in the interview, talking about Democrats and predicting the GOP would win seats if the redistricting measure passes: "They are totally out of touch with reality. Their main issues are gay marriage, no reservoirs, no taxes. This is not mainstream California. They are out of touch."

Way to win friends and influence people there, Mike, especially during sensitive budget talks.

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Where's Gov. Schwarzenegger been during the last two days as lawmakers sweat it out in Sacramento over the state budget impasse? Arnold has been in southern California, not talking about the state budget, but pimping a dead in the water (excuse the pun) plan to build expensive new dams and water systems around the state. (Note: the Governor's water plan has been rejected in the State Senate).
 
In fact, yesterday the Governor didn't even talk about the budget yesterday. And what's worse, the mainstream press is letting him get away with it. Only one question was asked yesterday by a reporter after the Governor concluded his remarks.
 
Schwarzenegger has been AWOL from the budget process this year, despite pleas from State Senate leader Don Perata to engage. The last "Big Five" meeting actually set budget talks backward, and the Governor has spent most of the last month in other parts of the globe and nation rather than rolling up his sleeves in Sacramento.

There's more...
 

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

No, there is no deal to pass the budget, but the Democrats are scheduling a vote anyways. It will put the Republicans on record opposing and put some more public pressure on them to play ball in the negotiations. SacBee:

"Hopefully, the Republicans will have enough sense to vote for it because it's going to be a very strong budget," Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, said after participating in budget talks on Thursday. "They're going to have to defend their opposition if they decide not to vote for it."

With a monthlong legislative recess scheduled to begin July 20, Núñez said he canceled his vacation plans and warned lawmakers to brace for a long summer that will require them to stay within two hours of the Capitol.

The Democratic leadership continues to find multiple pressure points on the Republicans.

Democrats, who refuse to cut social welfare programs, say the GOP governor should resolve problems with the Republican lawmakers.

"This is a fight between Republicans and Republicans," said Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland.

Arnold's response was to fire right back and blame the legislators.

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

Earlier this week, much of the verbal bomb throwing on the budget was taking place online. It has now progressed into the media. The sharp retorts are a sign of deteriorating talks. SacBee:

With state budget talks at a standstill, party leaders in the Assembly are upping the rhetoric, trading verbal jabs over who is to blame.

In separate interviews this week, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez accused Republicans of having a "lackadaisical attitude" about reaching a deal while Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines shot back that "Fabian is frustrated he can't get everything he wants."

Deals can come together relatively quickly in the Legislature, and both sides are still talking. But at this point -- nearly two weeks past the start of the fiscal year -- there are few signs of a breakthrough as the two parties fight over about $2 billion in spending that Republicans want cut.

Things took a turn for the worse Monday when, by most accounts, a meeting among legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger went very badly.

It is increasingly looking like the budget will not be done by the 20th, when legislators are scheduled to go on their monthlong summer recess. Legislators may just have to stick around.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Why are legislative Republican leaders holding out on this years budget? Because they care about the state's spending? Because they worry about future deficits? Guess again. It's because the GOP leaders in the Assembly and Senate are afraid of losing their jobs.
 
In the Senate, Republican Leader Dick Ackerman has been hanging on to his post by a single vote or two for the past year. Senators George Runner, Dave Cogdill, and Jim Battin are among those who have been eyeing his post.
 
These hard-right Republican senators coveting his job have been laying in wait for Ackerman to fold early in the budget talks. So, as a result, Ackerman has to talk tough to hang onto his job, or else he'll be spending lots more time on his yacht.
 
Ackerman is under immense pressure to show his caucus he can be as mean-spirited as they are. And that's no easy task. The GOP Senate is dominated by anti-tax conservatives who despise the Governor. Two weeks ago, the ultra-right Senate GOP flashed its colors by tanking a bill that would have provided transitional housing for foster kids -- even though Assembly Republicans had unanimously approved it and it had the support of Gov. Schwarzenegger. That's the crowd that Ackerman is dealing with.

There's more...