Brown: Unions should be open to GOP concessions

[The Northerner]

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Gov. Jerry Brown said on Thursday that he has told his labor union allies they should be open to concessions that Republican lawmakers are seeking on public employee pensions in exchange for GOP votes on the budget.

The Democratic governor has warned that if Republicans fail now, conservatives could try for even bigger giveaways with a future ballot initiative.

A group of GOP lawmakers wants pension reforms, looser business regulations and a state spending cap in exchange for their votes to call a special election. Brown wants to ask Californians to extend temporary increases enacted two years ago on the personal income, sales and vehicles taxes for another five years. The tax hikes are scheduled to expire this year.

Republican lawmakers who have been negotiating with Brown say he has not considered their suggestions seriously because he is unwilling to confront public employee unions, which contribute heavily to Democratic candidates. Brown points the finger at Republicans, saying they are holding up budget negotiations with unrealistic expectations.

Nevertheless, he said on Thursday that he remains open to their demands and has warned unions about the possible consequences of resisting change.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17692438?nclick_check=1

[Bozita]

1. All in favor of finding middle ground, take a step to the right.

Isn't that part of the reason we're where we're at now?

[CountAllVotes]

2. Tread lightly Jerry Brown

<snip>

Brown said he's willing to work on some of the reforms, such as changes to state pension benefits, that GOP lawmakers have called for, "but I don't think you can solve disputes on all these subjects in next week or two," he added.

and ...

>>Brown needs at least two Republican votes in each house of the state Legislature to get a special election on the ballot, but time is running out to have an election in June, as he had hoped.

Message to Gov. Brown: Who do you think was responsible for seeing to it that you were re-elected as Governor of the State of California?

[county worker]

3. How the hell do we get into these positions when we have a majority?

Just pass a law making unions safe from the legislature. Take the ace out of their hand!

In repub states they pass any kind of stupid law because they have a majority!

Dems are so fucking spineless!

[TheKentuckian]

4. Fuck what the TeaPubliKlans want because they want nothing remotely good or beneficial.

My "compromise" with them is they are breathing my air.

Democrats are fucking dimwits with the "middle ground" with evil, insane, greedy, willfully stupid, theocratic, anti-social, racist, dishonest, ideologically bankrupt, warmongering, and traitorous.

We are playing the game on their side of the field, "compromise" just advances the ball for the opposition.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. Nice way to wuss out there.

Did he learn nothing from Wisconsin?

Maybe it's time for the other side to compromise and for us to draw a line in the sand?

[Brickbat]

6. Illustrating, once again, the need for labor to rely on itself and to stop thinking either party has

its best interests at heart.