State Leaders Continue To Stump for Budget Plan as Vote Nears
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and California's legislative leaders are beginning to promote a budget compromise they reached on Friday, with the goal of justifying the long wait for the state's fiscal plan, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Generating Support
Legislative leaders will need to persuade their constituents that the compromises they made make supporting the budget plan a worthy cause, the Bee reports.
Similarly, Schwarzenegger must convince California residents that the budget proposal is worth the months spent waiting for a plan, according to the Bee.
Compromises of the Deal
Politicians on both sides of the aisle are beginning to disclose information about compromises (Yamamura, Sacramento Bee, 10/5). Â A vote on the proposal could come by the end of this week (Wood, Christian Science Monitor, 10/4).
The governor's initial proposal to cut funding for CalWORKS, the state's welfare-to-work program, was not included in the budget deal. However, spokesperson Aaron McLear said Schwarzenegger did reach an agreement to change the pension system and avoid tax increases.
Democrats obtained a compromise to maintain safety net programs but agreed to cut spending by about $300 million for the state's in-home care program for the elderly and disabled (Sacramento Bee, 10/5).
Changing the Majority Vote
Meanwhile, the record-breaking state budget deadlock could generate more support for Proposition 25, which would change the current legislative vote required to pass a budget.
A two-thirds majority is now required to pass a budget. Prop. 25 would change the vote required to pass a budget to a simple majority (Christian Science Monitor, 10/4).
Broadcast Coverage
On Monday, Capital Public Radio's "KXJZ News" reported on the lack of specifics released by state officials about the newly proposed budget deal (Sepulvado, "KXJZ News," Capital Public Radio, 10/4).
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