California lawmakers are scheduled to vote Wednesday on a Democratic proposal designed to close part of the state's $24.3 billion budget deficit.
It appears doomed to fail even before it goes to the Assembly and Senate. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Republicans consider the package incomplete because it does not address the full deficit.
They also criticize Democrats' call to raise taxes.
Wednesday will be the first time the deficit will be debated by the full Legislature since the governor laid out his revised budget proposal last month.
State finance officials say balancing the budget quickly for the coming fiscal year is critical.
The state treasurer and controller have warned that without a balanced spending plan next week, California will not have enough money to pay all its bills by the end of July.
