National

Distracted GOP lawmaker accidentally OKs California budget


Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, uses his cellphone during session in the Assembly chambers in Sacramento, Calif. on March 11, 2013.
Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, uses his cellphone during session in the Assembly chambers in Sacramento, Calif. on March 11, 2013. The Sacramento Bee

A Republican lawmaker accidentally cast his party’s first vote for the California budget in years because he was distracted by Facebook.

Assemblyman Scott Wilk was the sole Republican to vote for California’s record $117.5 billion spending plan Monday.

The Santa Clarita lawmaker later clarified he accidentally supported the bill in the Capitol while opposing it on Facebook. He posted on Twitter “My wife is right – I can’t multitask!”

California’s budget is being negotiated between Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders. They have yet to reach a final deal.

Wilk’s blunder won’t show up on the official legislative record because the Assembly allows lawmakers to change their official votes.

He did so after session ended, receiving applause from fellow Republicans and boos from Democrats.

This story was originally published June 15, 2015 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Distracted GOP lawmaker accidentally OKs California budget."

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