The governor has called on lawmakers to act on at least some parts of his budget proposal – or else the state’s deficit would grow. But they’ve made no cuts yet – and Assembly budget subcommittees have said “no way” to suggested cuts in welfare and college financial aid. Senate President Darrell Steinberg says Democrats are fighting for their values. He said, “It’s a time-honored tradition to stake out your position for purpose of a negotiation – which is what a budget always ends up being – and then to get the very best results you can, given the numbers and the circumstances that you find yourself in.”
In fact, Steinberg says, his budget staff is quietly planning for every contingency, including the chance that state revenues will continue to fall short of projections.
