Big Week for the State Budget

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The following is from an e-mail report issued by the Orange County Employees Association. It was sent to me by a friend. And, yes, that Association is a union. I pass it along as an information item:

The Conference Committee concluded its business today and took a key step to enact Governor Jerry Brown’s budget plan. The actions included the elimination of redevelopment agencies. While talks are ongoing, the chances for an alternative proposal that would save RDAs from elimination are all but gone. The package sent to the floor contains the extension of the 2009 tax increases that are set to expire at the end of the fiscal year, however, getting them on the ballot will require a 2/3 vote of the Legislature.

So to recap, The Conference Committee actions include $12.5 billion in cuts, $12 billion in revenue, $3 billion in transfers and leave an $840 million reserve. The conference committee action sets up floor votes in the Assembly and Senate for next week (Tuesday or Wednesday).

Based on this information it looks like the various legislative committees have pretty much adopted Governor Brown’s proposed budget. Now it moves to the floors of both houses for a full vote.

While this budget can be adopted by only Democrat votes, the consensus seems to be that a few Republican votes are needed to make it work by authorizing a June election on the tax extensions. There have been some statements that there may be a way for the tax extension to be placed on the ballot without Republican votes, but it sounds like if that is attempted it will result in one or more lawsuits challenging the legality of such a move and to try and stop it.

Like it or hate it this proposed budget, this is looking like an important week for California.


About Over But Not Out

A retired Orange County employee, and moderate Republican. The editor seriously does not know OBNO's identity as did not the former editor, but his point of view is obviously interesting and valued.