The Senate has adjourned for the evening and they seem no closer to a deal than before. The fact of the matter is Abel Maldonado (love him or hate him) did not vote for the deal. Even if he had they would still be another vote short of what is needed to pass the bills in question. The midnight deadline means that the Prop 98 guarantee for school funding increases by $3 billion for Fiscal Year 2009-10. We will see if anything new develops as the session is set to begin at 10:00 AM tomorrow.

The State Senate just adjourned its 12.5 hour session shortly after 10:00 PM.  The bad news is that no budget and no spending cuts were approved.  The good news is no tax increases were approved.

They will reconvene at 9:00 AM tomorrow.  The fiscal year ends at 11:59 PM tomorrow.  At this point, 25.5 hours remain to make any cuts to fill the multibillion dollar deficit from this fiscal year.  They will have to separately cut spending from next fiscal year's budget to match that budget's multibillion dollar deficit, which they adopted in February to take effect on July 1, which starts 25.5 hours from now.

The California State Assembly and State Senate is convening for a rare Sunday session to take up the 2009-2010 State Budget.

Thanks to Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine, District 70) who is making his posts via Facebook and Twitter on three of the four tax increases that are being proposed by the Democrats, because the tax language proposals are not available at either the State Assembly or State Senate homepages:

1)  SB 76 - $1.9 Billion Crude Oil Tax

2)  SB 77 - $15 Vehicle Tax to fund State Parks

3)  SB 78 - 4.8% tax on Property Insurance Policies to fund firefighting.

Governor Schwarzenegger has vowed that he will veto any tax measures when it reaches his desk.

State Senator Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar, District 29) comments on his Facebook about today's Sunday session, "The Dems are going to put up tax increase votes on Sunday evening. Do you suppose that is to avoid scrutiny from the press?"

Now, the scrutiny begins here on RedCounty, because every California taxpayers deserve to know what the Democrats are up to with these tax increases.

Update 7:30 PM PST - The 4th tax is a doubling the drivers license fees from $28 to $56 connected to a shift of $300 million in welfare costs to counties.  (Source from Assemblyman DeVore.)

Update 10:00 PM PST - Assembly passed the tax increases by a vote of 44-30, all GOP Assemblymembers  voted No along with 2 Democrats Assemblywoman Alyson Huber (D-El Dorado Hills, District 10) and Assemblyman Manny Perez (D-Coachella Valley, District 80), both are from marginal districts...Surprised they voted NO.

A breaking exclusive from the FlashReport...

This is a FlashReport blog exclusive.  The word is that 10News will run a story at 6 pm.  If so, I'll add it to the post, but -- thanks to great sources...

Francine Busby 2.0: Loud Music, Resisting Arrest, Pepper Spray, and Battery on a Police Officer

Erstwhile and announced future candidate for Congress Francine Busby sure knows how to toss a party.  The supposedly "centrist " Democrat and her followers don't seem to respect authority too much either.  Last night's event to raise funds for a challenge to Rep. Brian Bilbray would have only been more complete with a good old fashioned flag burning.

--- BEGIN POLICE REPORT ---
 
On 6/27/09, at about 2112 hours, Deputy ***** and *****, Clinician ***** responded to 1366 Rubenstein Avenue, Cardiff, Calif, regarding a Loud Democratic Rally with Loud Speakers.
 
The reporting party's residence is located on Summit Avenue just west of 1366 Rubenstein Avenue.  The reporting party told dispatchers he was willing to sign and wanted deputy contact.  It was later learned that the rally was a fundraiser for Francine Busby who is running for Congress.
 
Upon arriving at 1366 Rubenstein Avenue, Deputy ***** and Clinician ***** walked down a long driveway and found an open front door.  They noticed that some type of rally or party was taking place.  Deputy ***** asked someone outside where the homeowner could be found.  The person told Deputy ***** they were somewhere inside the house.
 
Deputy ***** and Clinician ***** walked inside and asked another person where the homeowner was.  That person pointed at a female later identified as Shari Lynn Barman.  Deputy ***** approached Barman and attempted to inform her that the rally was causing a disturbance for one of her neighbors.  Deputy ***** noticed Barman wearing a name tag with the first name of Shari written on it.  Deputy ***** asked Shari what her last name and date of birth was, so he could document the contact with her and complete his first responder notification.
 
She refused to tell Deputy ***** her last name or D.O.B. and walked away from him several times.  Deputy ***** followed her and continued to ask for her last name and D.O.B. and she refused his request.  As Barman walked away from Deputy ***** again he grabbed her wrist to prevent her from walking away.  She resisted and tried to break free of his grasp.  Deputy ***** attempted to handcuff Barman as she screamed to the crowd of about 25-40 people.  The crowd surrounded Deputy ***** and began pulling Barman away from him.
 
The crowd was successful in taking Barman away from Deputy ***** and they continued surrounding him.  Clinician ***** was pushed out of the way by the crowd and kicked on the back of her leg by an unknown suspect.  Deputy ***** took out his pepper spray and used it on the crowd which effectively stopped them from advancing on him.  Additionally, it gave him an opportunity to go into the crowd and take Barman back into custody.  He attempted to handcuff Barman as she struck him several times on his arms and upper torso with her hands.
 
Another female later identified as Pamela Ann Morgan began pulling at Deputy *****'s arms trying to prevent him from arresting Barman.  Deputy ***** arrived and took Morgan into custody which allowed Deputy ***** time to handcuff and secure Barman.  Barman was arrested for 243 (b) P.C.-Battery on a Police Officer and 148 (a) P.C.-Obstructing a Police Officer and was later booked into the Vista Jail.  Morgan was arrested for 148 (a) P.C., issued a citation and released from the Encinitas Station.  Deputy ***** sustained several scratches and minor swelling on both of his arms.
 
Source of information: Sgt. Jack Reynolds, Encinitas Patrol Station
 
--- END POLICE REPORT --- 

Additional info in the links below. Screen shots have been produced in case the links "change"....
 
http://www.busbyforcongress.com/
 
https://www.completecampaigns.com/public.asp?name=Busby&page=28
 
http://www.busbyforcongress.com/pdf/barman_stratton.pdf
 
http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/neighbors.php?type=name&lname=BARMAN
 
http://www.bieltd.com/about_us/bio1.html
 
http://www.bieltd.com/contact/index.html

I just got the following press release from Senator George Runner's office regarding a video that he released regarding the California versus Nevada business climate. I have posted the links to both of the videos right underneath here so that you can see what is being questioned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTVOSNr1RI8 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqSFGZpgLf8

Republican’s First Amendment rights
quashed by California Liberal Leadership

GOP Senator forbidden to post anti-tax video on state website, even though Democrats release pro-tax video on state dime

SACRAMENTO – Sen. George Runner (R- Antelope Valley) today decried Democrat leaders’ censorship of a Runner-produced video that deals with California’s high taxation and poor business climate. Specifically, the Senate and Assembly Rules Committees, chaired by  Democrats with a majority Democrat membership, forbid Runner from posting a video with an anti-tax message to his state website or emailing it to constituents.

“Clearly, the Democrat-controlled Rules Committee has two standards for senators and assembly members when it comes to corresponding with our constituents,” Runner said. “One standard denies First Amendment rights to GOP elected officials and effectively censors the voice of one party; the other standard grants Democrats the American right to unabashed freedom of speech.”

The Senate and Assembly Rules declared Runner’s video "too political", "looks like a campaign ad,” and "…creates a mood against taxes" and therefore cannot be sent out on state emails or posted on state websites. In the meantime, legislative Democrats post and email video segments that declare the Governor's proposed budget cuts will kill children and other propaganda in an effort to create a mood for tax increases. 

“If we view the world the way Democrats do, and develop video that agrees, we can get approved,” Runner said. “But if we disagree and show a different view of the world we will be denied. 

Runner said the decisions smack of totalitarianism.

“This reminds me of China, the old USSR, and the current Islamic regime in Iran,” Runner continued. “This should not happen in the United States with its First Amendment guarantee in the Constitution.

”Runner said he is reminded of a statement made by former Israel Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion: “The test of democracy is freedom of criticism.”

“The liberal leaders of the California legislature have failed the test of democracy by censoring the opinions of Republican legislators,” Runner said.

( I won't hold my breath waiting for Whitman to accept a debate)

Wow - some fireworks on the Sacramento Bee's Capitol Update...

Senator Jim Brulte decided to remind voters that we are electing a Governor, not a created image.

Brulte points out in his missives the serious dichotomy between the approval ratings of Entrepreneurs and Corporate CEO's as illustrated by recent Rasmussen polling.

"Like Democrat Steve Westly, Meg is running based on her experience at eBay. Voters were unmoved by the millions of dollars Westly spent touting eBay's success (in a 2006 gubernatorial run)...as Republicans will be too. Voters simply don't buy the connection that running an online auction company is the best training ground for our next governor. And never in modern history has there been a worse time to be running on the 'corporate CEO' brand."

Now, Mitch Zak - never one to back down from a challenge issued the following retort (just like an American Bulldog would) -  "...If they're interested in a side-by-side, Steve Poizner vs. Meg Whitman, we'll take that discussion every day of the week and twice on Sunday."

COOL!!! - DOES THIS MEAN WHITMAN WILL DEBATE NOW??? Maybe that's too much to ask, but maybe she'll start talking to local media instead of her establishment friends back east... But when you remember Whitman Principle number one - Campaign Nationally, there go the local media appearances, when you recall Whtiman Principle Number two - when you can't, script it... there go the debates...

Undeterred - Jim Brulte asked the same thing of Mitch Zak: "I would like to thank you for proposing a debate between Meg Whitman and Commissioner Steve Poizner. In response to your challenge issued in yesterday’s Capitol Alert, “If they're interested in a side-by-side, Steve Poizner vs. Meg Whitman, we'll take that discussion every day of the week and twice on Sunday," I would like to say – Steve is free this Sunday. Or any Sunday for that matter.

Steve welcomes the two debates you have proposed. In fact, the first can be on how we create jobs and revitalize California’s economy, while the second can be on how we make California’s education system the best in the nation. I know Steve is looking forward to presenting his vision in both of these areas. I’m sure, based on your recent challenge, that Meg is too."

Is Meg Whitman Ready for Prime-Time? My good buddy Mitch tossed the gauntlet and Poizner has picked it up - will Whitman answer the bell?

I'll let Senator Brulte Close - "I look forward to the debates. I was disappointed by the fact that Meg declined the invitation from The Sacramento Press Club to debate the propositions prior to the May 19th special election. But this news that your campaign has changed its stance on debates and is now open to discussing the issues affecting California is very much welcome.

We look forward to hearing from your campaign to set up the exact time and location for the debates. See you on Sunday.