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Cavala: Dog Days of Summer Hit the Capitol in Sacramento

towashington 089.gif By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

As the Fourth of July weekend ends with no resolution of the State’s budget dilemma in sight, it might be useful to look at some of the non-ideological and non-institutional changes that lead to extended budget discussions.

As someone who has watched the budget dance for decades, let me point out two obvious culprits. Before (and during) the renovation of the old Capitol building that includes the two Legislative Chambers, there was no central air conditioning. (It’s why the Capitol has windows that open and close). While the height of the ceiling and the size of the Chambers kept them relatively cool most of the time, in periods of extended summer heat it provided truly awkward working conditions.

It’s why the old myth that no budget could be adopted in less than 100 degree heat was formed. With Sacramento temperatures due to exceed 105 all week, one could assume a quick finish to budget deliberations – in the old days. Today, temperatures wouldn’t matter – even if lawmakers were here to feel them.

The renovation of the Capitol coincided with the installation of television cameras and the broadcast of sessions over the Cal Channel. While it is unclear how many people watch sessions of the Legislature, it is clear that each lawmaker believes himself or herself to be on display to millions while the lights are on. In the days before term limits, most of the Members were at least aware they were posturing. Today’s Members are unaware of the difference. Can anyone recall a debate in Chambers having an effect on a Members’ vote?

Instead of talking to each other, Lawmakers talk to the cameras.

The opportunity of free publicity in air conditioned comfort certainly don’t serve as spurs to action.

Changed expectations have also helped delay budget breakthroughs. The June 15th Constitutional deadline used to be followed by a July recess. While the deadline never provided more than a news story, the recess used to be a real incentive. Members and their staffs used to plan July getaways – more important, again, when you were leaving an office fried in 100+ degree heat. These “summer vacations” were traditional – allowing families with kids out of school a chance to retreat together to mountain or beach environments.

I well remember the first budget deadlock that extended into July in the 1980’s. Then Speaker Willie Brown was concerned enough about upsetting recess plans of staff that he threw a capitol grounds “picnic” for Members, lobbyists and staff as all worked over the 4th of July. Sadly, as deadlocks became traditional, so did the “picnic” until the reason for it had been forgotten – and it was discontinued by subsequent Speakers.

Today, no one who works in the Capitol plans for a summer “recess”, so no pressure occurs when the Session is extended into July.

Finally, there was the pressure to complete work on the budget so that those dependent on state money for operations or salaries would not suffer. But Court decisions relieved that pressure – to the point where it is unclear today whether it matters at all that a budget isn’t passed. The final pressure point – the lack of pay for Members and their staffs – was alleviated by the Golden One credit union by providing interest free loans to customers dependent on the Legislature’s payroll. The late budget has had the effect of making it mandatory for Capitol denizens to bank at the Golden One.

How important are these non-ideological variables in delaying state budgets? More important, I think, than a-historical journalists would have us believe. Certainly more important than “reapportionment” reform – which would neither fix the problem nor even cure cancer!

Bill Cavala was Deputy Director of the Assembly Speaker’s Office of Member Services where he worked for over 30 years.

He attended undergraduate and graduate school in the 1960’s and received a doctorate in political science at UC Berkeley. He taught political science at UC Berkeley during the 1970's while he worked part-time for the State Assembly.

Cavala left teaching at UC Berkeley and went to work for Assembly Speaker Willie Brown in 1981 until his tenure as Speaker ended in 1995, and he has worked for his five successors as Speaker up to and including Speaker Fabian Nunez.

Mr. Cavala manages election campaigns for Democratic candidates.

Posted on July 07, 2008

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