California lawmakers are expected to begin the multi-step process of removing an $11.1 billion water bond from the November ballot at the urging of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The state Senate is scheduled to take up two bills on Monday that would move the bond to the 2012 ballot. The Assembly also would have to approve the bills, which require a two-thirds vote.
Schwarzenegger and supporters in the Legislature are pushing for the delay out of concern that voters will reject the bond while the state is grappling with a $19 billion budget deficit.
Lawmakers who oppose the bond want it to stay on the ballot in the hope that it will fail.
The Legislature narrowly voted for the bond measure in 2009.
