The budget in the balance

Re “GOP holdouts on state budget cite principles,” Aug. 17

The Times is just as dismissive of the Republicans’ concerns as the governor and Democratic leadership are. You report differences in the low hundreds of millions rather than the $7 billion that has been taken from the state’s reserve fund since last year. There is a $2-billion shortfall in the disputed budget. These numbers come from Republican estimates; shouldn’t their side of the story at least be included? Democratic leaders could not seriously dispute that they voted to adjourn without a budget -- in violation of legislative rules. Nor could they dispute that they prevented a vote on emergency spending (which would have helped the credit of local governments, mentioned in another accompanying article). Further, modest Republican amendments to reduce spending were not considered. These facts were not mentioned.

James Edward

Perron III

Chino

Once again, a stubborn minority Republican faction is holding up the entire state budget for purely political reasons. The Republicans claim that they are trying to uphold fiscal responsibility and don’t want to see a deficit, but we all know that this is nothing but a power trip. The hurt is spreading every day that we don’t have a budget. Those obstructionist Republicans need to wake up, stop fighting the governor and everyone else and get the budget passed so state business can proceed.

In the future, every obstructionist legislator should be fined $1,000 every day he holds up the budget; maybe that would get them to act responsibly.

Linda Winters

Culver City

While many of the 14 GOP senators are fanatics in safe districts, I blame Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for the budget impasse. Clearly a popular Republican governor should have the savvy and influence to persuade one senator to vote for a budget that he, the Assembly and the people of California support.

Martin Fiebert

Seal Beach

The unprincipled legislators claim to stand on principle. However, as in other years, after holding hostage the entire state, they will eventually trade their vote for some project. Therefore, it’s not a question of principle; they’re just dickering about the price.

Margo Kasdan

Seal Beach

Re “One reform at a time,” editorial, Aug. 19

You have to love the tortured logic that determines the solution to the current budget crisis is to have more Republicans in the Legislature. It worked out so well on the federal level. Yes, those poor Republicans who weren’t “listened to” in February are just showing that mean old Democratic Legislature and Republican governor a thing or two -- by extorting a deal that they could not honestly get through the legislative process.

Redistricting is a fine idea if you write the plan and a bad idea if you didn’t. Eliminating the ability of a band of radicals to hold up the budget is just common sense. More Republicans? Throw the bums out!

John Grace

Huntington Beach