Governor Schwarzenegger says a state budget deal is still weeks away. He even suggested it might not happen until he leaves office at the end of the year.
California’s been operating without a spending plan for nearly a month now, and the governor is renewing his pledge not to sign a budget without significant changes to the state’s tax, budget and pension systems.
At an event in Los Angeles, he told reporters he will not sign a budget unless lawmakers agree to those.
He went on to say that it “could actually drag out until the next governor gets into office.” Schwarzenegger’s term is over at the end of the year.
In response, Democratic Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg said if the governor insists on granting corporate tax cuts, but reducing education and child care funding, then he is prepared to grant Schwarzenegger’s wish by waiting for the next governor.
