California GOP launches statewide political tour

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Republicans want to be known as the ‘party of yes’ in Sacramento. And one of the first things they want to do is convince Californians to vote no on Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax hikes.

‘We think that’s the wrong way to go,’ said California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro at a Thursday news conference outside the Capitol. ‘There is an alternative to simply raising taxes.’

Del Beccaro is launching an old-fashioned whistle-stop tour by riding the train around the state to push Republican policies. His first stops are Martinez and Bakersfield.

He was joined at the news conference by GOP lawmakers including Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) and Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway (R-Tulare). They criticized legislative Democrats for not pushing Gov. Jerry Brown’s pension proposals, which Republicans have endorsed.

Assemblyman Jim Silva (R-Huntington Beach) also expressed concerns about spending on welfare, saying, ‘The people that work should live better than the people who don’t work.’ He said that there are ‘Cadillac welfare programs in California.’

Anthony Wright, who advocates for affordable healthcare, said Silva’s claim is inaccurate.

‘He hasn’t been paying attention to the cuts that have been made,’ Wright said.

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-- Chris Megerian in Sacramento
twitter.com/@chrismegerian