Calif. Legislature Sends Budget Deal to Gov. Brown
The California budget deal reached last week is now in the hands of Governor Jerry Brown. The Democratic-controlled state legislature approved 21 bills Wednesday without any Republican votes.
The California budget deal reached last week is now in the hands of Governor Jerry Brown. The Democratic-controlled state legislature approved 21 bills Wednesday without any Republican votes.
Democratic Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield said the spending plan makes hard choices to close the state's $16 billion dollar deficit.
"It's moving us forward. It's moving us to fiscal stability in a smart way given the constraints that we're under."
But Republican Senator Bill Emmerson said the budget relies too much on taxes and gimmicks - and the cuts it does include are poorly chosen.
"If this is the majority party's vision for California, God help this state."
The budget package includes cuts to welfare, child care, in-home care, college financial aid and state employee pay. It would also eliminate funding for up to three weeks of school if voters reject the governor's tax measure this fall.
