Key California lawmakers are keeping quiet about the specifics of the state budget agreement. However, there is some expectation that eight billion dollars will be cut, with many of the reductions happening in education funding.
Trying to get lawmakers talking about the budget is challenging---in part because they themselves don’t know all the specific details. But there is also a concern that the deal could fall apart at a crucial time, said San Jose Democratic Assemblyman Jim Beall.
"We have to get the bill approved because programs are going to be shut down by the end of the week if we don’t. So we have a crisis on our hands," said Beall.
And so, some lawmakers, like Beall, aren’t talking about budget specifics before the legislative leaders approve. Still, many legislative staff members expect the budget will closely resemble an earlier conference committee bill that totaled $8 billion in cuts.
Health programs that receive federal matching funds are expected to be relatively spared. That most likely would mean education spending would get cut. The first budget hearing is expected to be held on Wednesday.
