State lawmakers are scheduled to vote on the Democrats' budget proposal tomorrow. Even if it passes, Governor Schwarzenegger has promised to veto it.
Democratic lawmakers and the governor have completely different approaches to balancing the state's budget.
The governor is asking for deep spending cuts in health and human services. For example, he'd like to eliminate California's welfare program. The governor also wants to dismantle the Healthy Families insurance program for children.
Democrats are opposed to those moves. They're proposing much smaller spending cuts. In exchange, Democrats want to raise the cigarette tax by a $1.50 per pack, and impose a new tax on oil extraction.
The governor and his fellow Republicans say they won't stand for any new taxes. Democrats argue a cuts-only budget doesn't make sense.
