Democrat Assembly Budget writers continue to be tone-deaf to the needs and desires of everyday Californians. The Democrat-controlled Legislature canceled a day of public hearings to negotiate behind closed doors and then emerged in the morning to announce a budget deal.

Vice Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement:

“The spending of taxpayer dollars is one of the most important things the Legislature does.

“The lack of transparency in the handling of this year’s committee hearings is dysfunctional at best.

“Lawmakers are voting on mocked-up words, not legal language.

“This is a manipulation of the budget process whereby the public and their representatives are completely shut out.

“This year’s mismanagement of the committee hearings is done by design – to keep the public in the dark.”