No apology to Denham, says O'Connell

Tempers continue to flare as California ends its fourth week of the fiscal year without a budget.

Today, Jack O'Connell, in a letter responding to Sen. Jeff Denham's report that O'Connell called to apologize for the tone of a press conference earlier this week, denied he ever apologized to Denham.

"I write to take issue with your press release dated July 24, 2007, which incorrectly described a phone conversation we had," wrote O'Connell, the state superintendent of public instruction, in a letter sent to Denham today. "Your description of my phone call as an apology mischaracterizes our discussion."

At issue is a Tuesday press conference called by the Education Coalition in Modesto - in Denham's district - to put pressure on the Republican senator to vote for the state budget passed by the Assembly.

"The students in Sen. Denham's district and in all of California are counting on the adults to do the right thing here and to pass a budget that funds these schools," said the California Teachers Association's Lynne Faulks on Tuesday.

But Denham took issue with the event, issuing a statement saying he would not be forced to vote for an unbalanced budget because of

"partisan press conferences."

Denham was the only legislative Republican the teachers' union endorsed in 2006.

To strengthen his case that the Tuesday press conference was overly political, Denham's office reported that O'Connell had called to apologize for the partisan tone of the event.

But O'Connell said today there was never an apology.

"I called as a courtesy to let you know the press conference would be taking place and that the tone of the event would remain respectful. I extend the same courtesy to all members of the Legislature when I am involved in public events in their districts," O'Connell wrote.

Below is the full text of Denham's press release (emphases were his), followed by the letter sent by O'Connell.

DENHAM RESPONDS TO DAY 24 OF STATE BUDGET STALEMATE

"Does Not Appreciate Partisan Press Conferences Aimed at Pressuring Votes for Unbalanced Budget"

SACRAMENTO-State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) today continued to discuss the problems in Senate Bill 77, the proposed 2007-2008 State Budget. Denham wants the proposed budget to be balanced, but will not support cuts to K-12 education funding. Denham will also not support any tax hikes. However, he is willing to work with both Democrats and Republicans to achieve a balanced budget.

"My goal is to have a balanced budget," said Senator Denham. "It is not fair to the people of California for their Legislators to vote in favor of a budget that only increases the State's debt. A budget like this would force cuts to education next year. And, I do not support that."

This morning Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell called Senator Denham to apologize for the partisan tone of press conferences being held by some education leaders that he was scheduled to participate in. Senator Denham is happy to work with Superintendent O'Connell on this budget. However, he does not appreciate unproductive partisan press conferences held in his district aimed to pressure him to vote in favor of a bad, unbalanced budget.

On Friday July 20, Senator Denham, along with 13 of his Republican colleagues in the Senate, voted no on SB 77. The proposed budget bill failed to garner the necessary 27 votes (2/3's of the 40 member Senate) and was held on the Senate Floor by a 25-14 vote. The proposed budget is out of balance by at least $699 million. If the budget is passed in its current form, California will face operating deficits next year that exceed $5 billion and will continue to climb each year.

"It's unconscionable to take away the teacher's tax credit, particularly given that part of the budget proposal would also give tax breaks to Hollywood moguls and airline companies," Senator Denham continued. "However, there are several areas of pork that could be cut."

Some areas of waste that could be eliminated or reduced include the Cannery Business Park (Sacramento) replacement furniture for $1 million and the Labor Union Institute at UCLA, which would receive $6 million. Another waste of money is to give the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency $4 million, which spends its time discouraging homeowners from keeping their properties fire safe. The UC Mexico facility in Mexico City should not receive $7 million in this budget.