Posted on 06/12/2006 5:48:34 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
That's the latest from Democrats in the Assembly and Senate, with the budget conference committee finishing its work this past weekend. But will there be enough GOP votes for the budget? For now, Republicans are expressing skepticism.
The two leading Dems on the conference committee, Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and Sen. Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata), told reporters today the committee's end product will be voted on Thursday. And if you haven't checked your calendar, that's June 15... the constitutional deadline for the budget to go to the governor. The last time that deadline was met: 1986.
Democrats also handed out info detailing the bottom line of the 2006-07 budget, as it stood after being passed out of the conference committee on a straight party line vote (both GOP members, Assemblymember Rick Keene, R-Chico, and Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, voted no).
The conference committee budget would spend $101.167 billion next year. That's more than the governor's May budget proposal of $100.985 billion, but less than the amount the governor's staff now supports, an amount pegged at $101.277 billion.
What changed? Well, to name a few: the state picking up $100 million in costs of the federal government's delay in Medicare changes... an extra $33 million for state employee salary and compensation... and $7 million in repairs to the Capitol building complex.
Of course, almost everyone's budget proposal-- the one favored by Democrats and the ones advocated by Governor Schwarzenegger-- would spend more than the state actually takes in next fiscal year. Each version outlined today results in at least a $7 billion operating deficit. But due to at least $9 billion in cash on hand from this year's unexpected tax revenues, state government would technically be operating in the black.
CA: State's budget approval process gets early start ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1647349/posts
Posted by NormsRevenge
On News/Activism ^ 06/11/2006 9:09:35 AM PDT · 2 replies · 37+ views
San Diego Union - Tribune ^ | 6/11/06 | Ed Mendel
SACRAMENTO – A two-house committee approved a new state budget of roughly $131 billion yesterday, setting the stage for Senate and Assembly votes this week that could produce the first on-time budget in two decades. But Democrats sent the new spending plan to the legislative floors despite opposition from Republicans, with the apparent hope that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would help negotiate agreements on remaining differences. Republican legislators, whose votes are needed for the two-thirds approval of both houses required to pass a budget, made it clear that they want changes made in the plan that was approved by the committee....
It ain't goin nowhere in its present condition.
Balanced budget better for California than timely one
Sacramento Bee (via SHNS) ^ | June 12, 2006 | Dan Walters
Posted on 06/12/2006 7:15:31 PM PDT by calcowgirl(snip)
However, we should remember that either version of the budget would still spend about $7 billion more than projected revenues next year and hefty operating deficits are projected for the rest of this decade.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is seen in Chico, California, June 7, 2006. Governors of states in the West approved proposals over the weekend to add cleaner energy resources to meet the region's growing demand for electricity and they called for reductions in greenhouse gases linked to global warming. (Kimberly White/Reuters)
Hi, NormsRevenge
Why does the budget need any Republican votes at all? I thought the budget could pass by simple majority as long as it didn't include tax increases?
Former Vice President Al Gore, left, stopped by 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' to discuss his box-office hit 'An Inconvenient Truth,' the documentary that chronicles his crusade to stop global warming Thursday June 8, 2006. When asked by Jay what it feels like to be treated like a movie star, Gore joked that he's currently in a feud with Lindsay Lohan. Jay also asked whether the film's success has garnered him any movie offers. Gore replied, 'I have had offers. But, frankly Jay, when you refuse to do nude scenes it really cuts down your opportunities.' And finally, Jay asked the former Vice President whether he will run for President again. Gore responded, 'I do not have plans to be a candidate again. I am involved in a kind of campaign, and it's not for a candidacy--it's for a cause.' (AP Photo/NBC)
Al Gore and the Gubby seem to agree
'It's for a cause.'
Can the "common good" be far behind?
http://ca.lwv.org/lwvc/edfund/elections/2004mar/id/prop58.html
Balanced Budget. In addition to the existing requirement that the Governor propose a balanced budget, this measure requires that the state enact a budget that is balanced. Specifically, estimated revenues would have to meet or exceed estimated expenditures in each year.
The budget requires a 2/3 vote of the Legislature.
If they did not increase spending from the previous year's budget or proposed no new taxes, that would apply, but obviously that hasn't happened in a long time here.
You are correct that any tax increase included in the budget would need a 2/3rds vote of support..
Date: June 8, 2006
To: Members of the California State Legislature
From: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Subject: Budget Funding for Pre-KThe voters' rejection of Proposition 82, which would have raised taxes to provide universal preschool, does not mean that they reject pre-kindergarten for our children if it is done in a fiscally responsible way for the children who need it most.
Our state's economic growth and additional revenue allowed me to include in my May Revision proposal $100 million for pre-kindergarten ($50 million for program and $50 million for facilities) targeting communities with the greatest need. My proposal will ensure that every four-year-old child in the lowest three deciles will have the opportunity to attend a quality preschool program. Targeting our students in low performing schools will help close the achievement gap and improve academic performance for children in low and middle income families who benefit the most from a quality preschool program.
These funds are within the Proposition 98 guarantee and will have no impact on the structural deficit. Since total education funding in 2006-07 is $55.2 billion, marking a $3.3 billion increase over the current fiscal year, now is the time for us to move forward with this cost-effective program without shortchanging any other education priority.
While the Assembly and Senate Budget Sub-Committees rejected this, I urge the Conference Committee and every elected leader to support this important program for our children.
###
When does the fireworks start?
http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=BUDGET-06-12-06
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- So far this year, Democrats and Republicans have avoided a political meltdown over the state budget, thanks in part to a $7.5 billion tax windfall that made spending decisions relatively easy.
That harmony could end on Thursday _ the deadline for approving a plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Democratic lawmakers say they intend to meet the constitutional deadline for passing a budget for the first time in two decades by voting on the $131 billion spending plan Thursday.
But Republican lawmakers aren't happy with Democrats' plans to put $1 billion into a reserve fund instead of using it to pay down debt as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed. Republicans also are objecting to other Democratic policy initiatives buried within the budget _ such as an effort to expand health insurance coverage to all California children, including undocumented immigrants.
"For the current version of the budget there are no Republican votes," Senate Republican leader Dick Ackerman said Monday. "If the Democrats maintain their current position and say it's going to be this way or no way, then it's going to be no way."
When does the fireworks start?
Soon, vey soon.
Should I ever pick the right six numbers, I can garontee you that money will leave Kalleephornya never to return.
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