On The Money: Wasted Words
California's budget is 90 days overdue - the longest delay in state history. But lawmakers are spending some of their time – and your money – on resolutions that don't even change the law. Critics call it a waste of words – and a distraction from the job of getting a budget done on time.
The state Constitution requires the California legislature to pass a budget bill by June 15th – but in fact, lawmakers have been late 25 times in the last 30 years
Lawmakers can't seem to get a budget done on time, but that hasn't stopped them from introducing hundreds of non-binding resolutions that don't carry any legal clout.
Resolutions are simply expressions of opinion by the legislature. But this year, elected officials spent time – and thousand of dollars of your money to recognize:
"The resolutions are frivolous. They're time consuming," said Assemblyman Chris Norby, a Republican from Fullerton.
The Legislature also took at swing at California Golf Week – a resolution to honor the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
But when the Assembly voted in late June, the tournament was already over.
"The week after Golf Week," noted Assemblyman Chuck Devore. The Republican from Irvine added, "You know what did that accomplish? Other than wasting taxpayer money on the floor of the Assembly."
But the bill's author defended the resolution.
"Oh I don't think it's a waste of time and money," said Senator Alex Padilla. The Los Angeles Democrat told CBS 13, "We have a whole state department focused on promoting California – not just as a place to do business – but as a place to recreate. This is consistent with that."
The resolutions may be free speech – but they are anything but free. Resolutions cost about two cents a page to print. Multiply that by 1,700 copies and it adds up to hundreds of dollars per resolution. But nailing down the true costs is tough – even for lawmakers
"I don't know exactly," said Assemblyman Tom Torlakson. The Antioch Democrat added, "But it's several thousand dollars for sure."
Add in reprinting costs and other services – and it could be more – much more.
"Probably about $25,000 in staff time and effort," said Irvine Assemblyman Chuck DeVore.
That's one estimate – but Capitol insiders we talked to say the costs are probably closer to $1,000 per resolution. Multiply that by 309 – the number of non-binding resolutions introduced last year by the California legislature - and it comes to over $300,000.
By contrast, the Maryland legislature introduced only 21 resolutions last year – and Ohio just 77 – according to a survey by the Council of State Governments.
Of course, not every California resolution is frivolous. Some honor local citizens with outstanding achievements. Back in June, Assemblyman Mike Davis, a Los Angeles Democrat introduced a resolution "to honor the pioneering women and men who founded the Black Stuntmen's Association in Los Angeles, California back in 1967 to combat racial discrimination."
Calvin Brown broke through racial barriers in Hollywood – and was brought to tears by the recent resolution honoring him in Sacramento.
"This is one of the greatest moments of my life," said Brown of the Black Stuntmen Association. Brown told CBS 13, "To have this prestigious honor and to get to meet the Governor…" he said before getting choked up with emotion.
But other resolutions have drawn criticism.
"There was another resolution declaring a certain week in March as Financial Literacy Week," noted Chris Norby, the Republican Assemblyman from Fullerton. Norby told CBS 13, "And I thought the Assembly are the last people to be talking about financial literacy. We should be setting a good example by passing a balance budget."
In response to the criticism, the author of the financial literacy resolution, Ted Lieu told CBS 13, "You know I like to say we can actually walk and chew gum at the same time." The Assembly Democrat from Torrance added, "So I believe we can do parallel tracks where we're doing bills and resolutions, as well as focus on the budget. "
But of course the budget is now 90 days late – the longest delay in the history of California politics. A new Field Poll released today shows the California legislature has the lowest approval rating ever – just 10% of California voters say state lawmakers are doing a good job.
If you see examples of questionable spending, send us an e-mail to onthemoney@kovr.com. You can also follow On The Money stories in progress via Twitter at http://twitter.com/mikeluery
