Outside the capitol today, a small group protested against the governor’s recent line-item vetoes to the state budget.
The rally was held a day after the legislative counsel said the vetoes, which cut health and welfare programs, were illegal. Democratic Assemblymember John Perez of Los Angeles joined the protesters. He says the governor can’t make cuts now to programs that were covered under the February budget deal.
“Clearly the Governor is doing something that is outside of law and quite frankly outside of human dignity in the way that he’s trying to punish the most vulnerable people in the state for his own political grandstanding instead of solving the real problems of the state,” said Perez.
He said Democratic lawmakers will try to reinstate some funds the governor has cut. A few groups that provide state services say they may file lawsuits challenging the vetoes. But, H.D. Palmer with the Department of Finance, said Schwarzenegger did not violate the law. Palmer said the governor has the authority to make such line-item vetoes. He is confident the governor could beat any lawsuits challenging that.
