I just spoke with a friend of mine up in Sacramento who told me that today the Governator expressed an interest in a Constitutional Amendment to our State Constitution. This amendment would withhold the pay of Legislators when their is a standoff on the budget and make it so that they would never be able to receive the money that has been withheld.

The way I understand it now a Constitutional amendment would have to be approved by the voters but this seems to be something that I think most people will vote for. I have to do a little bit more research but I want to know how this will affect those who work for the Legislators as they really have very little control over whether or not the budget passes.

As Assemblyman Chuck DeVore told us yesterday this is a man that already broke his no new tax pledge. I have a tough time supporting somebody that goes back on their word so I am still questioning this idea by Governor Schwarzenegger. I feel like he is almost trying to force Republicans into passing a budget that they feel is flawed. I respect the Republicans that are holding their ground based on principle because it is not easy to stand up when you are in the minority.

I will look into this issue more in depth when I get a chance, and hope to follow up with more information at a later date here on Red County.