Follow Up on Close-Loophole-for-Tuition-Cut Bill

Yesterday, we noted the passage in the state assembly of a bill that closed a corporate tax loophole and used the money for higher ed tuition cuts.  The bill required a 2/3 vote and squeezed by with one independent vote (a former Republican who quit the party) and one from a renegade Republican – Brian Nestande – who deviated from the party line.

The renegade – depending on which story you read – either stepped down from chairing the Republican caucus in the assembly or was forced out.

The stepped-down version is at
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/15/4726584/california-republican-leader-gives.html

The forced-out version is at
http://www.camajorityreport.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&ptid=9&aid=4877

It probably was a case of “You can’t fire me; I quit.”  Another article has that version:
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/15/4726262/using-ceqa-as-bait-perez-muscles.html

In any event, passage in the state senate would also require a 2/3 vote and renegade votes.  The punishment meted in the assembly for deviant behavior will make it clear to any potential renegades in the senate what would happen to them. So passage of the bill there is unlikely.  But it is possible to prepare for being punished:

Note: There will be a similar closing-the-loophole initiative on the November ballot but that version does not dedicate the resulting revenue to higher ed tuition cuts.  So far, that initiative is not polling well.  There is support in parts of the California business committee for closing the loophole which benefits only out-of-state firms.