No Progress Expected on Competing Budget Plans During Last Session Day
On Tuesday, both the Senate and the Assembly will vote on a budget plan proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and another proposal crafted by Democratic legislators, the Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" reports.
Although both parties have made adjustments to their initial budget proposals, neither plan is expected to obtain the two-thirds vote necessary to pass.
Tuesday marks the final day of California's legislative session, meaning that Schwarzenegger likely will call a special legislative session to negotiate a budget agreement (Yamamura, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 8/30).
Differing Budget Plans
The two budget plans differ by about $4 billion (Herdt, Ventura County Star, 8/30).
Schwarzenegger's budget plan would eliminate the state's welfare-to-work program and end state-subsidized child care ("Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 8/30). The governor also has proposed cuts to In-Home Supportive Services and Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program (California Healthline, 8/30). The version of Schwarzenegger's plan slated for a vote has dropped certain provisions, including a property insurance surcharge and a proposal to move low-level offenders from state prisons to county jails.
The Democrats' plan aims to increase spending for schools and avert many of the governor's proposed cuts. The version of the plan scheduled for a vote does not include the Democrats' proposal to raise certain taxes ("Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 8/30).
IOUs Around the Corner
Assuming that lawmakers do not pass a budget plan on Tuesday, State Controller John Chiang (D) is expected to begin issuing IOUs to business and individuals owed money by the state (Ventura County Star, 8/30). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.