Jerry Brown’s budget tour stop to include GOP lawmaker

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After weeks of rejected travel invitations, Gov. Jerry Brown finally found a Republican willing to join him on his state budget tour: Assemblyman Cameron Smyth will join the governor at a Thursday forum in Smyth’s hometown of Santa Clarita.

Smyth, who is opposed to the governor’s plan but is considered more moderate than many of his colleagues, said he agreed to be the first GOP lawmaker to accept Brown’s invitation because he is interested in hearing his constituents speak.

“I’m just as curious as the governor is to hear what people in my district have to say about the budget and the governor’s proposal,” he said.

Brown has invited local lawmakers to join him at town-hall-style events in Stockton and Riverside over the last couple of weeks; but except for Smyth, Republicans have so far refused. Brown is trying to persuade some in the GOP to support his plan to extend certain taxes that are set to expire to avert further budget cuts.

Smyth said he expected to appear with the governor in his district Thursday. “I’m actually glad that he’s coming to a Republican district,” Smyth said. “There are a lot of governors who would just isolate themselves with people who share their views. I respect the fact that the governor is going to areas like Santa Clarita and Riverside where he may not have a natural constituency.”

-- Anthony York in Sacramento