Gov. Brown Debates Lawmakers In Rare Budget Exchange
SACRAMENTO (KCBS/AP) - In an unprecedented move, Gov. Jerry Brown appeared before a joint legislative committee on the state budget in Sacramento Thursday to make the case for letting voters decide how to balance California's books.
Brown told the legislature's budget conference committee, made up of lawmakers from the Assembly and Senate, that the state faces "drastic" choices. Either cut $12 billion in spending and extend tax increase, or cut $25 billion, he said.
"If we don't get the tax extensions, I am not going to sign a budget," he said.
KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:
The Democratic governor tried to sell lawmakers on his proposal for a June special election that would allow voters to decide on a five-year extension of tax increases.
The hour-long hearing was remarkable for the frankness of the exchanges between the governor and lawmakers, giving the public a wide-open look at what typically is a closed-door process.
Brown told Democrats they would have to accept more cuts and told Republicans that authorizing a special election is not the same as voting for taxes.
Brown said it is "absolutely mandatory" to call a special election, a move Republicans so far refuse to do. He also pushed GOP legislators to get specific about what cuts they would make without the tax increases.
"It's so painful that I don't think you ought to do it on your own. Let's check in with the people. Let's hear what they have to say," he said.
A sitting governor has never testified before the joint budget committee in modern state history.
KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier said the political theater underscores the urgency of getting the tax extensions onto the June ballot.
KCBS and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier:
Brown said the biggest hurdle to eliminating the deficit was a partisan divide had grown considerably since his second term ended in 1983.
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