Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Calif. lawmakers close deficit on rosy projections

State Senate President Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, left, meets with Senate Minority Leader Bob Dutton,R-Rancho Cucamonga, on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, June 9, 2011. Steinberg announced that the Senate will begin debating the state budget Friday and will meet through the weekend in an attempt to approve the state spending plan by the June 15 deadline. GOP lawmakers have opposed the Democrats budget plan which relies on closing most of the $9.6 billion deficit with taxes. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Democrats have closed the remainder of what had been a gaping budget deficit, relying on a combination of deep spending cuts, optimistic revenue projections and new fees that are sure to be challenged in court.

The Legislature late Tuesday sent a nearly $86 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that begins Friday to Gov. Jerry Brown.

He is certain to sign it because he struck the compromise with his fellow Democrats days earlier, after failing to get Republican support for tax increases.

The package closes the remaining $9.6 billion deficit.

The Legislature acted with unusual haste, under a new law that allows Democrats to pass a budget with a simple majority vote but also halts lawmakers' pay if they miss their deadline to pass a balanced budget.

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18372118?source=rss

Maria Bello Kristin Cavallari Genelle Frenoy Daniella Alonso Brittny Gastineau

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