cannabisnews.com: Democrats Accuse Davis Of Usurping Their Authority





Democrats Accuse Davis Of Usurping Their Authority
Posted by FoM on July 15, 1999 at 08:21:48 PT
Governor has snatched legislative reins, they say 
Source: SF Gate
Weeks of behind-the-scenes grumbling among lawmakers about Gov. Gray Davis erupted into a public feud yesterday as top Democratic legislators attacked the administration for trying to dictate their agenda.
Legislative leaders were sputtering after the governor's lobbyists made several attempts to delay or defeat legislation without consulting with the Democratic leadership or with authors of bills. ``It's totally an improper intrusion in the legislative process,'' Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D- San Francisco, said in an interview. In a memorandum yesterday, Burton and Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, D-Los Angeles, took the unusual step of ordering legislative committee chiefs to ignore requests from the governor's staff to delay action on key legislation. ``We are not going to allow the legislative process to be dictated by executive department heads or administration staff,'' Burton and Villaraigosa wrote. ``You are to pay absolutely no attention to any requests until it is cleared'' with the leadership. Burton said that if the governor consults directly with leaders, he would be afforded full respect. ``He would be shown the due deference he should be accorded,'' Burton said. Davis' press secretary, Michael Bustamante, declined to comment on the memo. ``Strange things happen in Sacramento when the temperature gets over 100 degrees'' was all he would say, referring to this week's heat spell. As the Legislature today begins its monthlong summer recess, the rift between the new governor and his fellow Democrats threatens dozens of key bills that await final action in August. The confrontation may have been inevitable. Majority Democrats are eager to pass bills that had been routinely vetoed by Republican governors for the past 16 years, while Davis, the most cautious of politicians, is desperate to maintain his image as a pro-business moderate. For weeks, lawmakers have privately complained that during Davis' first seven months he has failed to focus on the Legislature's ambitious agenda. For months, he took no positions on bills until they reached his desk. Davis' staff says that the governor has been occupied with other matters. Davis cleared his schedule of public events this week so he could work on much-delayed appointments. Dozens of key posts are still unfilled in the new administration. Yet Davis was scheduled last night to go to Monterey for a $3,000-a-head fund-raising golf tournament -- ``The Governor's Cup'' -- hosted by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, one of his most generous campaign contributors. The prison guards' union spent more than $1 million last year to elect Davis. ``Proceeds from this year's tournament will go to support our newly elected governor, Gray Davis, who we are excited to have as a participant at this year's tournament,'' said the invitation letter from peace officers association president Don Novey. The feud with top Democratic lawmakers was ignited when Davis administration officials, on at least three occasions in recent days, made last-minute requests that legislative committee heads delay action on bills the governor opposes or is worried about. Assemblyman Martin Gallegos, D-Baldwin Park, chairman of the Assembly Health Committee, said Mike Gotch, Davis' chief lobbyist, asked him Tuesday to hold two bills on medicinal marijuana. ``I was asked to hold a couple of bills in committee. Essentially, the governor had some concerns and he wanted to work with the author on those concerns,'' Gallegos said. ``The memo didn't map out what those concerns were.'' Both bills by Senator John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara, were approved by Gallegos' committee. ``I'm sure Mike Gotch realizes that when you come at that late hour to a committee where bills are already set, the committee has already convened, it's very difficult to stop bills unless the author wants to,'' Gallegos said. Davis lieutenants also persuaded Assemblyman Jack Scott, D-Pasadena, to postpone a hearing today on a bill sought by labor unions to increase workers' compensation benefits. The bill would cost $1.7 billion over three years, according to supporters. Opponents, led by business groups, say the costs are closer to $3 billion. For more than a month, Davis administration department directors have asked Sen. Hilda Solis, D-La Puente, to slow down the progress of the bill. The administration has specified its objection to the Solis measure. Also exacerbating the situation was a meeting on Monday with half a dozen legislative committee heads that Davis called to discuss which health care measures the governor wants to see reach his desk -- and when. Not invited were Villaraigosa and Burton. Villaraigosa learned of the meeting only after it took place. Robert B. Gunnison, Greg Lucas, Chronicle Sacramento BureauThursday, July 15, 1999 ©1999 San Francisco Chronicle ©1999 San Francisco Chronicle Page A1 Davis Moves Away From OK of Card For Marijuana Use-7/14http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2041.shtml
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