GOP Decries Legislature Passing 'Shell' Bills
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Republican state legislators are standing in united but futile opposition to the legislative practice of passing empty budget bills.
Democrats who control both the Assembly and Senate each approved 40 so-called "shell" bills on Thursday. The 80 bills contain no actual budget details, but make it easier to approve a state spending plan later.
Republicans lined up to oppose the practice, which dates to 2004.
Republican Sen. Doug LaMalfa of Willows says the blank bills let Democrats pass a full budget "in the dark of night." Other Republican senators say they've been entirely cut out of budget negotiations.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, a Democrat from Sacramento, says the blank bills will be discussed in public committee hearings once they are amended to include budget language.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
