Minority Republicans say Democrats must resist the temptation to spend California’s multibillion-dollar budget surplus.
Legislative Republicans don’t have the power to block measures — or even tax increases. However, they’re hoping Democrats — and especially Gov. Jerry Brown — will support some of their ideas.
Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff said lawmakers must resist what he calls a “tremendous pent-up desire” to spend the state’s multibillion-dollar budget surplus.
“Everybody’s got an idea about how to spend money, but the disciplined thing to do is just to hold it in reserve right now," Huff said.
Republicans also want to pay down budget debt and deal with long-term unfunded retirement liabilities.
Assembly GOP leader Connie Conway says despite Republicans’ legislative superminorities, she still hopes to work with Democrats.
“Yes, I know, some of my friends say, ‘You’re crazy Connie,’ but I still want to go with the premise that we have reasonable and sensible adults here that actually do care, and when there’s opportunity to work together, I’m always in favor of doing that," Conway said.
Especially, she said, rewriting the $11-billion water bond on the November ballot.
