By the end of the week, it’s likely California will have a budget deal at the state Capitol.
Sunday is the June 15 constitutional deadline for lawmakers to pass a spending plan. That takes only a majority vote of the Democratic-controlled Legislature, since voters approved Proposition 25 in 2010.
But Capital Public Radio's Ben Adler says there are still several areas where Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers disagree.
“Early childhood education and child care; extended hours and overtime pay for in-home care workers; and more money for the UC, CSU and court systems," says Adler. "In all those areas, legislative Democrats want to put money back into programs hit hard by budget cuts from recent years, and the governor wants to stand firm against new spending.”
The sides also disagree on how much money is available to spend. Democrats believe the governor’s revenue projections are too cautious — and that there is nearly a $1 billion more for health care, higher education and social service programs.