Schwarzenegger, legislative leaders settle on budget framework Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders are planning to scale back the state's investment in schools, higher education, public transportation and other programs -- while imposing several temporary tax increases -- to close the $42-billion budget gap projected by the middle of next year.
Tentative bipartisan budget plan The blueprint for a state budget deal includes:
Half-done coastal project symbolizes California budget paralysis The Caterpillar front-loader sits parked in the dirt, empty, next to small mountains of untouched crushed asphalt. Across Pacific Coast Highway at the edge of Laguna Beach, glassy green-blue waves slide onto the sand next to a chain-link fence and orange plastic webbing. Work has stopped on the long-planned transformation of the former El Morro Village mobile home neighborhood into a beachfront state park with priceless ocean views. Like thousands of other state-funded projects, workers were called off the job and plans frozen as the governor and Legislature struggle to resolve the budget mess.
George Skelton: California tax hikes long overdue The taxes should have been raised a year ago. Make that years. The bite would have been a lot smaller. Maybe just a nibble.
The shame of California's prisons A panel of judges had to come up with a plan because, once again, lawmakers failed the state.Now that a panel of three federal judges is calling for California to cut its prison population by as much as a third, effectively ruling that our dysfunctional state government is incapable of overseeing the prison system, it makes us wonder what other legislative duties could be delegated to the judiciary. Redistricting? Schools? The budget process? It wouldn't exactly be democratic, but it would beat the anarchy in Sacramento.
Governor, key legislators reach deficit-fixing accord Legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have reached a tentative deal to close the state's projected $40 billion budget gap on the backs of virtually every Californian, from taxpayers to state workers to welfare recipients, according to sources close to the negotiations.
Big job boost for California seen President Barack Obama says the best way to judge his economic stimulus plan in the next two years will be whether it creates or saves 3 million to 4 million jobs.
CalPERS seeks bids for hefty HMO contract The California Public Employees' Retirement System, the state's largest purchaser of health insurance, is seeking bids for a lucrative HMO contract for nearly a third of the state's 1.3 million public employees, retirees and their families.
Correa might be the party pooper As Senate Democrats huddled Monday for a late-night briefing on the budget negotiations, one Democratic senator was missing: Lou Correa.
The State Worker: Furloughs boost governor's muscle at bargaining table Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made grim history twice in the last week. First, he started state worker furloughs on Friday, then four days later warned he might lay off 10,000 of those with the least service time.
Wildlife fund loan could cost state millions in federal money State officials have been warned that California could lose millions in federal funds if they shift revenues out of the Department of Fish and Game to ease the state budget crisis.
State workers would lose two holidays under tentative budget deal State workers would permanently lose two state holidays and face continuing furloughs each month through June 2010 under a tentative budget deal struck by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders, according to a source close to negotiations.
Strong sector of state economy starts to slide California's exports were one of the last pillars of the state's economy, holding up long after construction, finance, retail and other sectors crumbled.
Highlights of most recent Calif. budget proposal Here is some of the language that emerged Wednesday as lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sought to forge a compromise on the state's budget deficit. Democrats want to bring a budget package to a vote on Friday.
Attorney general plots potential run for governor Attorney General Jerry Brown isn't an official candidate for governor - but he's sure thinking a lot about it.
Capitol Alert: Correa faces crossroads in budget crunchPosted by Shane GoldmacherAs Senate Democrats huddled Monday for a late-night briefing on the budget negotiations, one Democratic senator was missing: Lou Correa.
Capitol Alert: Rep. Hilda Solis approved by Senate committee Los Angeles Rep. Hilda Solis, who is President Barack Obama's pick as labor secretary, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Maldonado: Budget agreement will be 'easy vote 'no' ' Sen. Abel Maldonado, who is widely seen as the most moderate Republican in the state Senate, exited a two-hour briefing on the budget pact and said he would cast an "easy vote 'no.' "
Capitol Alert: Cogdill: Budget pact 'as good as I could get' Emerging from a nearly 2-hour closed-door meeting of Senate Republicans on Wednesday, Senate GOP leader Dave Codgill gave the strongest public word yet that a budget deal has been struck -- but the Modesto Republican still wasn't guaranteeing GOP support.
Compromise on budget looks fair Here comes the moment of truth. Democratic and Republican legislative leaders have struck a tentative deal to close California's $40 billion budget shortfall.
State officials work on final items in budget Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders worked Wednesday to put the finishing touches on a budget deal that would close a record-setting $42 billion gap with spending cuts, new taxes and borrowing from Wall Street.
Inmate raped by cellmates can sue prison guards The state Supreme Court allowed a transgender former prison inmate on Wednesday to proceed with a lawsuit accusing prison guards of failing to protect her from being raped and beaten by her cellmates.
Teachers launch effort to save small classes For more than a decade, the rule through third grade in most California classrooms has been one teacher — and no more than 20 students.
Taxes for sure, maybe a spending capBudget deal includes blackmailing voters into disapproving a ceiling on spending
State lawmakers to push animal From family pets to farm livestock, state lawmakers are crafting a broad and aggressive animal welfare agenda this year.
Funding cut may end work corps A new, $17 million facility along Wright Road that would provide modest dormitories and classrooms for the 65 young men and women of the California Conservation Corps' Camarillo Center has been eight years in the making and should be ready to occupy in a matter of months.
Brown: Prison oversight wrong Attorney General Jerry Brown said Wednesday that the state needs to break free of federal court oversight of its troubled prison system.
State's developmentally disabled costs rise nearly 400% State spending on services for developmentally disabled residents has nearly quadrupled in a decade, but now the governor and Republican lawmakers say the costs must be reduced as the state confronts a $40 billion budget shortfall.
Toss the scriptA tax break for film and television production is like one of those unstoppable horror movie monsters that keeps returning to life. Even a $40 billion state budget shortfall cannot put a stake through the heart of this special-interest giveaway.
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