Count on us to solve the budget -- no, really
California's fiscal year ends today. The state constitution says the Legislature must have a budget ready by June 15 in time for the start of the new fiscal year tomorrow -- but there's no penalty for failure. That doesn't mean there aren't consequences, though.
Some payments to vendors and health care providers will stop tomorrow if there's no budget in place. And state workers may be without paycheck come Aug. 1 if the Assembly, Senate and governor can't work things out.
But not to worry. The "Big 4" -- Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, Speaker Karen Bass, Assembly Leader Mike Villines and Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill -- met on Sunday. They had their picture taken. Now everyone feels better, right?
Comments
While we appreciate the sarcasm, it was more than a photo-op; it was a four-hour meeting on a Sunday, after nearly three weeks of other meetings, 62 committee hearings, and the continuation of a conference committee on the budget.
Your ideas on how to fix a $15.2 billion budget hole and getting a 2/3 majority in the legislature would be most welcome.
P.S. -- Would be nice if the Bee would get the facts straight once in awhile too. State workers, with a handful of exceptions (legislators, staff and gubernatorial appointees) will continue to get paid.
Posted by: Steven Maviglio | June 30, 2008 6:20 PM