With Calif. lawmakers locked in, budget fix stalls

[Jasman0717 9]

Feb 15, 8:52 AM (ET)

By JUDY LIN

SACRAMENTO (AP) - One vote shy of a budget deal, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday pressured reluctant Republicans in the state Legislature to pass a complex plan to close the state's $42 billion deficit.

The head of the state Assembly locked the chamber down, forcing members to remain as the measure stalled in the Senate. Many California Republicans are unwilling to raise taxes to deal with the state's historic deficit, but at least three GOP voters were needed in each house for the two-thirds majority required to pass the budget . "My guess is everybody's arm is getting twisted," said Sen. Dave Cox, a Republican who had been the among Democrats' best hopes for a deal. "My answer is no, and I'm not looking for additional information. I've made my decision."

Cox said he received a call from Schwarzenegger, who remained in the Capitol trying to secure the necessary votes.

California's deficit has exploded in the face of a worsening recession that has seen the state's unemployment rate rise to 9.3 percent, a 15-year high. Meanwhile, California's credit rating has tanked, making it nearly impossible for the state to borrow money to pay its day-to-day bills.

Schwarzenegger has said the state faces "financial Armageddon" and warned that he would start the process of laying off 10,000 state employees if a budget deal was not reached by Friday. He backed off that threat because it appeared the Legislature was on the verge of passing the budget.

The lack of GOP votes in the Senate pushed the session into the early morning hours of Sunday.

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, a Democrat, locked down her chamber about 3:30 a.m., forcing lawmakers to remain.

"We're short a Republican vote over there (in the Senate)," Bass said. "Somebody that committed backed away. That means we're not going anywhere. Sorry guys."

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, also a Democrat, said the Senate deadlock was causing some in the Assembly to have second thoughts about the unpopular plan.

Republican Assemblyman Chuck DeVore said the package didn't "go far enough to reform government, to reduce redundant agencies and reduce waste, fraud and abuse. We are asking the taxpayers of California for too much of their hard-earned money in an attempt to cover over a problem of our own making," he said.

Democrats have decried the $15.1 billion in cuts in the budget-balancing package, more than half of which would come from education, while Republicans are unhappy about $14.4 billion in temporary tax increases.

The plan also relies on $11.4 billion in borrowing. The budget package is designed to fill California's budget gap through June 2010 if voters also approve a number of related measures at the ballot. Those include a state spending cap, a plan to sell bonds based on future lottery proceeds and approval to shift money from accounts for mental health and child-development programs

Edited February 15, 2009 by jasman0717

[Jasman0717 9]

I wish they would get this done, I can't wait to start paying extra for consumer products and gas

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

[Jasman0717 9]

Deep Space 9

[Jasman0717 9]

They are still at it, California needs a budget

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

They are still at it, California needs a budget

I am hoping one of the Republic Senators caves, just so we can get this thing behind us. They need to start working on the '09-'10 budget starting next month.

[Jasman0717 9]

They are still at it, California needs a budget

I am hoping one of the Republic Senators caves, just so we can get this thing behind us. They need to start working on the '09-'10 budget starting next month.

Still no budget I am supposed to get a $1400 tax return but I may never see it.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

They are still at it, California needs a budget

I am hoping one of the Republic Senators caves, just so we can get this thing behind us. They need to start working on the '09-'10 budget starting next month.

Still no budget I am supposed to get a $1400 tax return but I may never see it.

After 30 days, I believe they will owe you interest, but around 3-4% divided by 12 is not much of monthly return.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

They are still at it, California needs a budget

I am hoping one of the Republic Senators caves, just so we can get this thing behind us. They need to start working on the '09-'10 budget starting next month.

Still no budget I am supposed to get a $1400 tax return but I may never see it.

don't worry, soon you'll get paid in pesos.

[almaty 19]

brother jim..it is par for the states..illinois has similar issues

[dalegg 143]

They are still at it, California needs a budget

I am hoping one of the Republic Senators caves, just so we can get this thing behind us. They need to start working on the '09-'10 budget starting next month.

Kind of a tough thing to hope for. The Republican who caves will be serving his last term.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

They are still at it, California needs a budget

I am hoping one of the Republic Senators caves, just so we can get this thing behind us. They need to start working on the '09-'10 budget starting next month.

Kind of a tough thing to hope for. The Republican who caves will be serving his last term.

Or, make an incredible deal for his district, so that he keeps his seat! Besides, they are all term limitted anyways.

Edited February 16, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[Jasman0717 9]

I hope we aren't paying them by the hour