Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) commented today on the reform package that was announced by Senate President Pro Temp Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speak John Perez (D-Los Angeles) this morning.  The package contains several pieces, including a proposal that would do away with the two-thirds vote requirement for passing budgets and replace it with a majority vote threshold.

"As someone who was elected in 1978 as one of the original 'Prop 13 babies', I am dismayed that the Democrats in the Legislature would proclaim as "reform" a package that strips away protections for California taxpayers.  Howard Jarvis, Paul Gann, and I campaigned up and down the state to help pass Proposition 13, and I can say that any proposal to amend our Constitution and penalize taxpayers is dead on arrival."

"California's budget crisis is not just the result of some lack of speed or ease of expedition in the legislative process, but rather the result of punishing regulations and anti-business legislation suffocating our economy and job-creation."

The California Forward proposals also include a number of legislative process suggestions that would limit the number of bills members can introduce, change committee names and structures, and prioritize how programs are reviewed and evaluated.

"As Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee, I have been advocating for a 2-year budget cycle, and I am happy to hear that proposal will be introduced.  I agree that this Legislature needs to spend more time evaluating programs, and less time introducing legislation.  I look forward to working with Democrats on sensible reform components that will make government more responsive to the people of California we were elected to serve.  However, I will not sacrifice hard-won taxpayer protections for some minor process reforms."