Whitman blasts lawmakers for budget delay

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Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman blasted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature on Thursday for failing to pass a state budget. And she promised to use a firm hand with lawmakers if she’s elected.

“Once again, we are going to run out of money and we are limited in our ability to pay our bills,” Whitman said. “We have got to get a budget. The Legislature and the governor should have started in January. We should have been finished by June 30. And here we still are looking for a budget.”

The comments came during a short appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity.” Asked how she would overcome the Democratic-dominated Legislature that has thwarted some of Schwarzenegger’s efforts, Whitman offered the following: “I’ve got to get my own administration set up correctly. I gotta get the right people in the right job, because a lot of costs can be taken out in the context of your administration without the Legislature.”

Notably, Whitman, who has been attacking Democratic rival Jerry Brown in ads and interviews this week, did not mention Brown’s name during the appearance. Polls show the race in a dead heat.

--Michael J. Mishak in Sacramento