January 8, 2008

'Probably God saying something to us'

If you are into omens, then Monday's very brief Senate session didn't portend well for an easy, smooth year of bipartisanship.

No sooner was session gaveled in when the Democrats and Republicans split for their respective partisan caucuses.

They emerged to take up previously vetoed water legislation over Republican objections. Sen. Dave Cogdill, a Modesto Republican who has been the GOP caucus' lead water negotiator, called the move "imprudent."

"We need to continue to work toward that comprehensive fix," Cogdill said of water bond negotiations, which have stalled.

The Democrats didn't see it that way. Sen. Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento called the bill, which appropriates $610 million in voter-approved bond money, a "no brainer."

Then it was time to vote. Which didn't work.

The computer system for the special session for water was damaged in the recent rain storms.

To which Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata quipped, "Probably God saying something to us."

No matter. The vote went forward and they recorded the results by hand.

No surprise here: it passed strictly along party lines.

Posted by Shane Goldmacher on January 8, 2008 9:31 AM