[Vision2020] California Democrats Overheard On Budget: Milking Crisis

[Donovan Arnold]

What? No missing minutes on the tapes? I think all meetings should be 
publically broadcast. That would keep the government honest. Imagine, if 
that is what they Democrats say, I wonder what the Republicans say?

Donovan J Arnold


>From: "Dale Courtney" <dale@courtneys.us>
>To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
>Subject: [Vision2020] California Democrats Overheard On Budget: Milking 
>Crisis
>Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2003 08:13:52 -0700
>
>California Democrats Overheard On Budget
>GOP Cites Talk Of Milking Crisis
>
>
>
>Associated Press
>Wednesday, July 23, 2003; Page A03
>
>
>
>SACRAMENTO, July 22 -- Unaware that a live microphone was broadcasting 
>their
>words around the Capitol, Assembly Democrats meeting behind closed doors
>debated prolonging California's budget crisis for political gain.
>
>A microphone had been left on during the closed meeting Monday, and the
>conversation was transmitted to about 500 "squawk boxes" that enable staff
>members, lobbyists and reporters to listen in on legislative meetings.
>
>Some members of the group, including Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, said if
>the budget crisis were extended, it could improve chances for a ballot
>initiative that would make it easier for the Democrats to raise taxes. It
>would lower the threshold for passage from two-thirds to 55 percent.
>
>"No one is running" for reelection, she said, according to a transcript 
>made
>by Republicans. "And maybe you end up better off than you would have, and
>maybe you don't. But what you do is show people that you can't get to this
>without a 55 percent vote."
>
>Assembly Republican Leader Dave Cox said he is disappointed that Democrats
>would consider using the budget crisis to their political advantage.
>
>Goldberg said her comments were part of a larger discussion about whether 
>it
>would be better to make deeper cuts this year to give taxpayers a taste of
>how bad things would be without a tax increase.
>
>"It meant whether or not we do the things this year or next year that let
>the public understand how serious the situation is," Goldberg said.
>

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