In return I’m urging Republicans to punch a Democrat.

(SacBee) — Having encouraged state workers on Tuesday to take Republicans to lunch, Gov. Jerry Brown today asked the California Hospital Association and a group of law enforcement officials to hug them.

“Hug a Republican, make them feel good,” Brown said. “In fact I’m going to go up and down the state to see if I can’t hug Republicans and . . . tell them, ‘We love you, but give us a break, let the people vote.'”

The Democratic governor has been unable to reach a budget deal with Republicans opposed to his plan to put tax extensions on a ballot to help close California’s yawning budget deficit.