*Is California Democratic leader really putting it to Jerry Brown?

Up to now the jerks in the state budget crisis have been mostly Republicans. Now I'm not sure. From Capitol Alert:

Hours after Gov. Jerry Brown roiled majority Democrats with his budget veto, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg made public his plans to halt consideration of the governor's appointees "for an indefinite period of time." Members of the Senate Rules Committee were informed via email yesterday that gubernatorial appointees requiring Senate confirmation will not be considered by the committee or put up for a floor vote until further notice.

A spokesman for Steinberg said "we're focused on the budget right now." Please tell me that there's more to this than meets the eye.

*Asked about Steinberg's decision this afternoon, Brown said it was a "small price to pay."