Obstructionist Republicans

San Diego Union Tribune:

A rare attempt by Democratic legislators to pass a $116.6 billion state budget on time was blocked by Republicans yesterday, raising the specter of a lengthy deadlock that could influence voters in this fall's special election.

Democrats argued that their spending plan was similar to one proposed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after the most contentious issue, a push for a $2.2 billion tax increase to aid schools, was isolated in a separate bill not linked to the budget.

(snip)

"This little game here today is about the November ballot," Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, D-Los Angeles, said during a lengthy budget debate in the lower house. "It has nothing to do with the budget."

Democrats in the Assembly withdrew support from almost all of their proposed changes in order to get something done in this state, and the Republicans decide to hold up the state budget to try and save their floundering Governor's 40% approval rating. Nice to see where Republican priorities in the state lie.