Over the weekend, we actually though there was progress up in the Capitol. The Governor had backed off cuts to a couple key health and welfare programs, while legislators worked extensively over the holiday. Now, word is out that Assembly Leader Karen Bass is "boycotting" the Big 5 meetings, where legislative leadership meet with the Governor to hammer out deals. Bass, backed by labor leaders, called out Schwarzenegger on focusing on issues "unrelated" to the budget. Talk of suspending Prop 98 also has Bass and many Democratic lawmakers wary of the current direction of talks.
Meanwhile, the State's Bond Rating plummets. Fitch Ratings downgraded the state's long-term bond rating to BBB from A- Monday. This will cost the state billions over the life of bonds issued at that level.
And special thanks to CCN reader J.M. for sending in the image at right, taken at a SoCal ATM Monday. A sign of the times indeed.
Arrest the whole damn bunch of legislators for violating state law.
Posted by: Mickey Settlemire | July 07, 2009 at 01:42 PM