Aug 18, 2008 4:20 pm US/Pacific
Assembly Democrat Punished For Budget Vote
SACRAMENTO (AP) ―
A Democratic member of the Assembly was kicked out of her Capitol office Monday for not supporting the party's state budget proposal.
Assemblywoman Nicole Parra of Hanford said she was not surprised about being punished for abstaining from Sunday night's budget vote, but was "a little taken back" by Democratic leaders' decision to move her office across the street from the Capitol to another state building.
The budget package, which included $6.6 billion in higher taxes, fell nine votes short of the two-thirds majority needed for approval on a 45-30 roll call. All the no votes were cast by Republicans. Parra was the only Democrat present who didn't vote for it.
Parra, who represents a farm-heavy district in the Central Valley, said she wants lawmakers to approve a comprehensive water project package before she's willing to vote for the budget. She's backing a $9.3 billion water bond proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, which includes some money for dams and underground storage, as well as billions to clean up contaminated groundwater and improve conservation.
Office relocations have long been used by legislative leaders to punish members who stray. Last year, Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, said he was relegated to the "Doghouse," the Capitol's smallest office, for butting heads with Democratic leaders on prison and public safety issues.
And Assemblyman Juan Arambula, D-Fresno, occupied the 391-square-foot office for a time after he failed to vote for any of the 2006 infrastructure bonds.
But the move of Parra's office across the street from the Capitol to another state building is more rare. Assembly Chief Administrative Officer Jon Waldie said he's not seen a member move out of the Capitol in the 14 years he's been in the post.
Assemblywoman Patty Berg, one of the Democratic caucus leaders, said Parra should have stuck with Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, and not the interests of agribusinesses.
"There are two things you do when you're in the majority party in this Assembly," Berg said. "One is to vote on your leader and two, is vote on the budget."
Parra, who will be termed out of office in November, has run into conflicts with her leaders before. She has considered switching parties and has said kind words about the Republican candidate vying to fill her Assembly seat.
Berg said the Democratic Party has spent millions backing Parra in her three Assembly elections, but Parra said she worked hard to get herself elected.
"If anyone were to say that only the money helped me get re-elected, I'd like them to say it to my face," Parra said.
Two other Democrats missed Sunday's vote. Berg said Assemblyman Alberto Torrico of Fremont was stuck at an airport and Assemblywoman Nell Soto of Pomona was ill.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments