Budget Vote Now In Progress In Sacramento
Sponsored by:
Sacramento, CA — According to the Associated Press California lawmakers have begun voting on a long-awaited budget package to wipe out a $42 billion deficit and prevent the state from fiscal calamity.
Leaders say they were able to secure the final vote from moderate Republican Abel Maldonado by agreeing to his demands for open primary elections, government reform and removal of a $.12 cent per gallon gas tax increase. The latter replaces Maldonado’s original demand for no payment for legislators until a budget is finalized.
Today’s vote could bring closure to a drawn-out budget process that has threatened thousands of state worker jobs, frozen transportation projects and sunk the Golden State’s credit rating.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
