Democratic leaders back majority-vote budget initiative

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As thousands of ‘tea-party’ protestors rallied outside the state Capitol on Thursday demanding spending restraint, the top two Democratic leaders of the Legislature sought to boost an initiative drive that would allow future budgets to be approved by majority vote.

Assembly Speaker John A. Perez of Los Angeles and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento said the measure would avoid the stalemates that have plagued past budgets, when Republicans refused to vote for Democratic plans. “It’s time to end the gridlock, backroom deals and political games that come with being one of only three states that requires a two-thirds vote to pass the budget,’’ Perez said.

Backers of the measure have until May 11 to collect enough signatures to qualify the measure for the November state ballot.

— Patrick McGreevy