Akey factor in Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to balance the state budget is whether he and fellow Democrats could do it by themselves, or whether the votes of at least a few Republican legislators would be required. Politicians and stakeholders are consulting attorneys, but at the moment, no one appears to know for certain – in part because the sections of the state constitution involved have never been legally tested. There's no question that Brown and Democratic leaders want at least some Republican support for placing billions of dollars in income, sales and car taxes on a special election ballot...
