Some ironies in GOP budget blueprint

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For months, the favorite Republican talking point to dismiss Gov. Jerry Brown’s call for an election on taxes has been that the voters have already spoken. Back in 2009, more than 65% of voters signaled thumbs down on extending the same taxes that Brown now seeks.

Why, Republicans have asked repeatedly, should the public have to say no again?

But in the Assembly GOP budget plan released Thursday, Republicans propose to ask voters to reconsider two measures they also rejected in that 2009 election: taking money from mental health and early childhood programs.

In their budget plan, Assembly Republicans also list the elimination of redevelopment as a potential budget-balancing move. But legislation to do just that faltered on the Assembly floor two months ago, a single vote shy of passage and with all but one of the GOP Assembly members opposed.

Eliminating the program, which Brown has proposed, remains an option in the plan because Assemblyman Chris Norby (R-Fullerton) has been an outspoken opponent of redevelopment and insisted it be listed, according to Republican caucus staff.

-- Shane Goldmacher in Sacramento