Budget Roundup: Floor Votes Coming Next Week
Democrats have sent a plan to close California’s nearly $27 billion budget deficit to the Senate and Assembly floors for a vote. The Budget Conference Committee wrapped up its work Thursday.
By Ben Adler, Capitol Public Radio, KXJZ-FMThursday, March 03, 2011
Democrats say they need at least two Republicans in each chamber to pass this plan, which includes billions in spending cuts and a chance for voters to extend several tax increases at a June special election. Senate President Darrell Steinberg says his chamber will vote in time to meet Governor Jerry Brown's March 10th deadline.
Steinberg: "I'm never over-confident, but I'm feeling good. We're in a good place."
Most Republicans, like Senator Tony Strickland, remain strongly opposed.
Strickland: "We can't get out of this mess that we're in, in terms of this budget, by increasing taxes by $70 billion. And that's what is being proposed right now."
But several GOP senators are reportedly talking privately with the governor, hoping to win concessions on issues like pension reform. And now, the California Chamber of Commerce is saying it will support Republicans who vote for a "comprehensive solution" to the budget crisis - even if that includes the tax extensions.
Steinberg: "I'm never over-confident, but I'm feeling good. We're in a good place."
Most Republicans, like Senator Tony Strickland, remain strongly opposed.
Strickland: "We can't get out of this mess that we're in, in terms of this budget, by increasing taxes by $70 billion. And that's what is being proposed right now."
But several GOP senators are reportedly talking privately with the governor, hoping to win concessions on issues like pension reform. And now, the California Chamber of Commerce is saying it will support Republicans who vote for a "comprehensive solution" to the budget crisis - even if that includes the tax extensions.
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