California: Mike Villines

Lawmakers are considering a last-minute change in the budget package that would eliminate the 12-cent per gallon tax on gasoline as part of negotiations to secure the final vote in the Senate from Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria. The tax was expected to raise $2.1 billion through June 2010.

Legislative leaders are examining various ways to make up the difference, including a greater reliance on federal stimulus funds, line-item vetoes by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a change in the 5 percent income tax surcharge, sources said.

Maldonado has demanded three constitutional amendments to secure his vote for the budget. He wants a ban on legislative raises during deficit years, no pay for lawmakers once a budget is late and a switch to a statewide open primary comparable to the top-two system that local governments use.

“Republican Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth of Murietta is the new Senate Republican Leader,
having deposed Dave Cogdill in a  late-night coup. Is this a good thing? What does it mean for the budget?"

The only difference between Hollingsworth and a caveman is that the caveman was smarter and better looking.

Bad for Reeps.  It’s pick-off time.

The Republicans just built a bonfire on the Titanic.

Usually I take glee when the Republican Party turns into the Donner Party, but the stakes are far too high in this case. The Senate Republicans are the laughingstock of California politics but, this time, their insistence on putting the parochial political ambitions of 15 over the interests of 37 million is having a devastating impact on our state.

From Shane Goldmacher

Sen. Abel Maldoinado said in a brief interview Wednesday that there was "a good chance" for a budget vote tonight and that he wants all three of the wish-list items he has put forth to secure his budget vote.

Asked if he would settle for one or two, he said, "I'm asking for all three," before rushing into a meeting with Assembly GOP leader Mike Villines. "We're very close on the details, and I just want to leave it at that."

Asked who he was close with, Maldonado said, "Darrell (Steinberg) and the governor and I -- I think we're close."

Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, could provide the crucial 27th vote necessary to pass a budget package that has been stalled since Saturday.

So there is going to be a reconvening of the State Senate today at 10am.  I know, that's what they said yesterday.  But the plan from Sen. Steinberg is to keep the Senate on the floor until 27 members vote for passage and the crisis is (temporarily) averted.  Meanwhile, 20,000 layoff notices and the closure of $3.8 billion in state public works projects will take place today.  Things like projects to eliminate arsenic in Live Oak in the Central Valley.  You know, dispensable things.  And the Times has a bead on the three Assembly members who plan to vote in favor - Roger Niello, Anthony Adams and Minority Leader Mike Villines.