California legislators approve budget

[maseman]

Source: MSNBC/AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California Assembly has followed the state Senate in approving a long-awaited budget, sending the package to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after an epic battle that involved several all-night sessions and political concessions.

The budget flew through the Assembly less than an hour after it won approval by a single vote in the Senate after late-night horse trading to win a final Republican lawmaker.

Late-night concessions
Senate leaders secured the final vote needed from a moderate Republican in late-night negotiations by agreeing to his demands for election changes, government reform and removal of a gas tax increase, giving them the two-thirds needed to pass the package, 27-12.

The Senate vote was a giant step toward


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29229462

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I love the fact that that asshole Hollingsworth took over as Repuke leader and now he has egg on his face. Does not look good for him.

[Joanne98]

1. Election changes?

In addition to raising taxes, cutting programs and borrowing, the proposal would send five ballot measures to voters in a special election to be held May 19: a spending cap that was sought by Republicans; a plan to sell bonds based on future lottery proceeds; and approval to shift money from accounts for mental health and child-development programs.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. Heard on CNN this morning...

that one of the changes was open primaries! We already voted that shit down once.

[Tempest]

6. We need to get active and make sure it's voted down again

You know the Repugs are going to make a big push to get it approved.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. Yup....

I swear, CA GOPers are just as nutty as the Michelle Bachman/Eric Cantor variety.

[Tempest]

12. It could be worse

We could have Sarah Palin as governor.

I really feel sorry for Alaskans.

[Iggo]

2. First thing we oughta change...

....is the 2/3 rule. That emmer-effer is killing us.

[madmom]

3. Aren't "special elections" kind of expensive? What a stupid way to spend money you don't have!

[Sodbuster]

4. So how are they going to make up for the proposed increase to the gas tax?

I thought that was part of the way they were going to help balance the budget.
Just keep cutting other items that affect kids. They will be fine.
It's a race to the bottom folks..........

[AlbertCat]

8. So how are they going to make up for the proposed increase to the gas tax?

Hmmmmm...a tax on baby formula and disposable diapers maybe?


Aren't you tired of this GOP fantasy about a world without taxes?

[slackmaster]

9. They'll find a way to extract it from the working middle class

Like they always do.

[slackmaster]

10. I feel like my pockets have been picked

I didn't budget for a big tax increase.

Fuck the entire Legislature and the Governator for overspending and never saving anything when we had a surplus.

[maseman]

11. Time to boot Ahhh-nold