Politics & Government

Harkey Vs. Brown

At a budget committee hearing Thursday, the governor asked Assemblywoman Diane Harkey to compromise on tax extensions to get pension reform.

Assemblywoman appears to be sticking closely to the Republican vow to slash spending—not raise taxes—as the solution to turn $28 billion in budget red ink black.

“I have no problem saying I won't raise taxes. My people have told me time and time again that's what they want to hear,” she said last week.

It was reported Friday in numerous media that cover the Capitol, including the Los Angeles Times and Sacramento Bee, that she and Gov. Jerry Brown “sparred” Thursday during Brown’s testimony at a budget committee hearing. When she asked why he wasn't tackling pension reform or regulatory relief, he countered that he wants to do both. In fact, he said, he'd be willing to put those two items on the ballot if she approved his special election to extend tax increases on motor vehicle, income and property taxes.

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Harkey was not available to comment last week, but on Tuesday she sent out an e-mail blast with the video of the testimony.

“This is your chance to make [Democrats] do something they don't want to do. All you've got to do is step up and do something you don't want to do,” said Brown.

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“It is my chance," she responded. “Unfortunately, we have raised taxes before [but] we have implemented mild, mild little pension reform that doesn't do anything for us now.”

The Democratic governor will need some Republican votes to approve the special election with the required two-thirds majority. He told Harkey he wants to give Californians the ability to choose between the taxes and about $25 billion in cuts across the board, even . 

The assemblywoman is a significant player in the budget talks. She’s a member of various related committees, including budget, CalPERS and revenue and taxation.


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