Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg expressed frustration at the pace and status of budget negotiations today, saying he feels "prepared to pull the plug" and move forward with floor votes on a June tax election if a deal does not emerge in the coming days.
"We are going to get to our floor, we are going to put up the vote and if the vote isn't there then we are going to consider the other pathways," said Steinberg, adding he will support the direction the governor chooses. "It is high time that this come to a close here."
Steinberg's comments, posted at this link, come as time is running out for lawmakers to set a June special election to ask voters to continue higher tax rates for five years to help plug a projected $26.6 billion budget deficit.
Talks continue between Gov. Jerry Brown and Republicans whose support he needs for a two-thirds vote to put the proposal on the ballot, though attempting to call the election with a majority vote and launching an initiative campaign are two other possibilities now under consideration.
Budget Committee Vice-Chairman Bob Huff as well as several members of the so-called "GOP 5" group of senators confirmed today that Huff and Senate GOP leader Bob Dutton are now taking the lead roles in negotiations. The two were seen entering the governor's office late this morning.
Steinberg slammed Republicans' negotiating tactics, complaining that despite weeks of talks GOP lawmakers have yet to release a "term sheet" outlining what it will take for Republicans to put up the necessary votes.
"Whether it is fear or just sort of the inability to negotiate in a way that narrows differences as opposed to a way that continually expands them, this is ridiculous," he said.
Members of both houses were told after morning floor sessions to remain within several hours of the Capitol this weekend in case floor votes are called.
But comments from Republicans seemed to reinforce notions that an agreement is not yet imminent. When asked after the session whether he thinks a deal will be reached this weekend, Huff said, "That remains to be seen."
"I don't think we're at a point where trying to describe the state of negotiations is a terribly fruitful exercise," GOP Sen. Sam Blakeslee, a member of the GOP 5 said during the floor session.
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