Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is upset about the lack of progress on a budget deal with Republicans:
"If these guys don't start moving and moving fast, I'm prepared to pull the plug."
Steinberg says if an agreement can't be worked out to send a series of tax extensions to the ballot, he's ready to try other options. Those could include Democrats putting the taxes on the ballot without Republican support or a November ballot initiative. GOP Assemblyman Jim Nielsen says Republicans should continue to stand their ground:
"If the Governor wants to do it by other means or challenge legally and try to force taxes with a majority vote I'm quite sure they're going to lose at the court, but that does not dispose us to go along with it."
Negotiations continue between Governor Jerry Brown and GOP
lawmakers. Legislators are on call all weekend.
