Governor-Elect Brown Reaches Out To Republicans
OAKLAND (KCBS) - The results of Tuesday's election still haven't been certified, and Governor-elect Jerry Brown and the state Senate minority leader have already started the discussion on how to help small businesses and spur job creation in the private sector.
Sen. Robert Dutton said he welcomed Brown's phone call on Wednesday.
KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:
"He's expressing an interest to want to work with us, and I told him he could count on the Senate Republicans, that we stand ready to start solving problems," Dutton said.
The Riverside lawmaker now in his second term sounded an optimistic tone about bipartisanship, noting that for all their differences everyone sees the economy as a top priority.
"One thing everybody can agree on is that we need to do something to get people back to work," Dutton said.
Brown said he and the legislature would first be looking for ways to improve cash flow and access to capital for small companies since that's where most hiring takes place.
"If there's any way I can find out how to get the banks to loosen up, I will certainly be open and willing to do that," he said.
The passage of Prop 25 may make it easier to pass a budget since now all it will take is a simple majority, something the Democrats now have.
The new governor's other priority is eliminating waste and cutting spending wherever possible, something Brown said can't be done without Republican support.
"I'll meet with as many Republicans as I can round up. There'll be a caucus group," Brown said.
Ironically he and top Democrats don't necessarily agree on which programs can afford more cuts. Legislative leaders have for months been talking about restoring spending on social services, health care and education, and they are also expected to push for higher taxes on businesses.
The 72-year-old is headed back to Sacramento for a third term. Brown pointed out that Republicans held key posts in his first two administrations, served in the days before term limits.
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