Budget Fallout Begins

Not surprisingly, the budget released by Jerry Brown has produced responses. The prior post contains UC President Yudof’s letter of disappointment. The Brown strategy is to put tax extensions on the ballot before June. Normally, given the late date, putting something on the ballot would require a 2/3 vote and the Democrats – while a majority – do not have 2/3. Republicans have now announced they will not provide the missing votes.

There has been a hint of some way of avoiding the need for a 2/3 vote by modifying a proposition that was previously passed. Whether the legal issues can be overcome remains to be seen. There would also be more political opposition unless there is some bipartisan support for the plan. On the Republican position, see

http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/01/legislative-republicans-on-put.html

http://californiascapitol.com/blog/?p=4922

Can we just go underground for the next couple of weeks as the fallout continues?