VICA to state legislature: Get to work

Joining with the frustration felt by more and more residents, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association said it was time for state legislators to end their posturing and get to work.
"With the state budget now 73 days over-due, the Government Affairs Committee of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) unanimously recommended that its board of directors adopt the position that the California Legislature be required to stay in session 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until they pass a budget.
"Lawmakers should not be allowed to leave the Senate and Assembly floors until a budget is passed and given to the governor to sign," said VICA Chairman Greg Lippe. "It is outrageous that we are 73 days into the fiscal year without a budget."
The business gorup said there are millions of dollars in unpaid state bills affecting schools, hospitals and small businesses.
"It is extremely frustrating that the Legislature has failed to perform its most important responsibility," said VICA Past-Chair Fred Gaines, who made the motion. "The fact that there is no sense of urgency among our leaders is even more disgraceful."