Weekend Senate Budget Drill

by CalWatchdog Staff | June 9, 2011 10:36 am

Katy Grimes: The Senate will be working all weekend on the budget… meeting, talking, debating. Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg just announced that they are scheduled for session Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. as well as Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

The Assembly is on call, with a three-hour time period in which to arrive if called.

With budget trailer bills passed yesterday in budget committees, Steinberg said they are now ready to debate. “It reflects what is best about the process in the Senate,” Steinberg said about the weekend schedule, and explained that it is necessary in order to meet the constitutional deadline for budget passage.

However, some Senate staff members report that Steinberg’s fellow Democrats are not happy with the schedule and are calling it a drill. Staff members report that Democrats say are not holding up the budget, and blame Republicans.

Some members of the Assembly are making provisions for weekend work – just in case. Democratic Assemblyman Henry Perea (Fresno) said his family will join him this weekend in Sacramento.

Democratic Assemblyman Sandre Swanson (Oakland) mentioned a conference call taking place this weekend instead, with Assembly Democrats.

And with Senators working, so will staff. It’s time to fluff the pillows under the desk.

JUNE 9, 2011

Source URL: https://calwatchdog.com/2011/06/09/weekend-senate-budget-drill/