Brown and retail politics

15 February 2011 |permalink | email article

Now in the second month of his third term as governor Jerry Brown, 72, is decades removed from his leadership between 1975 and 1983 when California led the country in almost everything including the economy and environmental savvy. Along with every other state, Brown now faces staggering budget challenges. While he’s proposed slashing government aid for the poor, he argues the state provides more generous benefits than many others. 

Brown, a former Jesuit seminarian noted for his personal frugality, made his first trip on Thursday to Southern California since the election, traveling solo on Southwest Airlines last Thursday without security in the aftermath of Tucson, and drawing media attention. “I’m your low budget governor,” he likes to say. What’s new is his direct embrace of retail politics, avoiding the bubble to reach out to ordinary voters. 

Campaigning in Los Angeles Brown said he expects Republican lawmakers to make budget demands this week or next as he cautioned to watch for “a few compromises” even as a state Senate candidate’s victory would reduce the number of Senate Republican votes from three to two required for a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

If Democratic Senate candidate Ted Lieu of Torrance gets more than 50 percent of the vote Tuesday, he would win the seat outright, avoiding an April runoff and putting him in the Legislature in time for budget votes in March. Senate Republicans are weighing proposals including changes to public pensions, the state’s regulatory system and a cap on spending.

The party opposite also remains opposed to Brown’s attempt to extend temporary tax increases on vehicles, income and sales. Asked by the Sacramento Bee whether the number of Republican votes required is significant, the governor said, “Not really, because I want Republican votes. I want a California plan, not a partisan plan.”

Facing a budget deadline next month, Brown seeks to resolve a $26.6 billion budget deficit. Besides spending reductions his taxes plan will require special election voter approval in June.

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