So desperate are negotiations over the state's $38 billion shortfall that the top official in the Assembly, Democratic Speaker Herb Wesson, walked away from budget talks Tuesday to plead his case to Orange County leaders.

Because of the Sacramento stalemate, Wesson is leading a statewide effort that has 47 Democratic Assembly members traveling the state. Unable to persuade Republican legislators to back a budget that includes tax increases, the Democrats are seeking to win over local officials – and get them to apply additional pressure on the GOP lawmakers in the Capitol.

"It's rather unprecedented to have somebody come to us for input," Supervisor Chuck Smith told Wesson, who made the state's largest Republican stronghold, Orange County, his first stop. "I think you should be applauded for that."

Not that the speaker gained much headway in his hourlong exchange at Tuesday's meeting. Supervisors expressed the same reservations that Sacramento Republicans have cited to block proposals by Democrats. Failure to approve a budget before the June 30 end of the fiscal year could force the state to halt payments to vendors, contractors and some state employees and delay income-tax refund checks.

Objections have focused on Democratic bids to increase the state income tax for the wealthiest Californians, sales tax and vehicle fees.

Without such increases, Wesson warned, it will be cities and counties that hurt."This is not the time to cut law enforcement," he told supervisors. "This is not the time to cut paramedics. This is not the time to cut firefighters."

Supervisors weren't biting."I simply cannot and will not submit to this kind of budget," said Chairman Tom Wilson, whose opposition to increased fees and taxes was echoed by supervisors Jim Silva, Bill Campbell and Chris Norby.

Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, doubted that Wesson and his Democratic colleagues would gain much traction."I've never heard of a statewide campaign by legislators to raise taxes," Spitzer said. "We think the plan is going to backfire – that Democrats are going to hear that people don't want to raise taxes."

Supervisors took the opportunity to reiterate longstanding complaints about with state funding formulas. County and city governments and special districts in Orange County receive a combined 40.3 percent of property taxes paid here – 40th out of 58 counties. San Francisco County gets 67.1 percent, and Los Angeles County gets 59.7 percent.

Norby, a leading advocate of funding reform, used the forum to promote a proposal he's been working on that would increase property-tax percentages for the county while reducing dependency on sales tax.

"I would be more open to these new (fee and tax increases) if they were tied to structural change," he told Wesson.

After talking with supervisors, Wesson met with county law enforcement and firefighter unions, the Irvine City Council, Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and the Orange County Business Council.

Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, a Democrat, was among the more receptive to Wesson's pitch but stopped short of pledging support, saying only that he is "open" to the approach.

Wesson, of Culver City, said he is optimistic that his efforts will help get his message to everyday citizens – and help his cause."I was on cable TV," he said, noting that the local meetings are televised. "It's not just about elected officials. It's about Uncle Joe and Aunt Betty saying, 'We want police on our street and good education for our nephews and nieces.'"