State lawmakers finished their work on the budget, and Gov. Jerry Brown signed it late Wednesday, ending the haggling over final details of
The budget closes the state's $15.7-billion deficit with cuts in social services and depends on voters approving more than $8 billion in temporary tax hikes at the ballot box in November. Without a higher sales tax and increased levies on the wealthy, the governor says, the state will cut billions from public schools.
The tax question isn't the only one hanging over the new budget, which takes effect Sunday. Republicans are threatening to withhold votes need to extend a fee on healthcare providers, and a controversy over how aggressively the state can scoop up money from defunct redevelopment agencies could lead to a legal faceoff with local governments.
The budget includes $91.5 billion in general fund spending; total spending is $142.6 billion when dedicated funds and bond money are included. Brown plans to veto some individual items as he signs the budget legislation, according to an administration spokesman, but details are not expected today. (MORE)
