http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/07/28/MN275958.DTL State Senate OKs budget
Severe cuts, deep borrowing, no new taxes --
on to Assembly
Lynda Gledhill, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau
Monday, July 28, 2003
Sacramento -- In a rare Sunday night session, the state Senate grudgingly
approved a nearly $100 billion budget plan that relies on deep spending
cuts, borrowing and fee increases in an attempt to steer California away
from financial collapse.
The compromise plan, coming after nearly a month of impasse, assumes
income from the recent tripling of vehicle license fees but does not raise
sales or income taxes. Even with more than $10 billion in cuts and $13
billion in borrowing, the budget would leave the state staring at a $7.9
billion cash shortfall next year.
The budget bill now goes to the Assembly, which could pass it as soon as
this week. The Senate adjourned late Sunday for its summer recess, meaning
the Assembly will have to find the votes for the bill without changing it.
"There is something in here for almost everyone to hate," said Senate
President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San Francisco. "This is not a budget to
be proud of, but the people of the state expect us to pass a budget and the
bills to be paid, and this does that."
The main budget bill was approved 27-10 in the Senate, with five
Republicans voting for the plan. Senate Republican leader Jim Brulte noted
that a third of his caucus voted for the plan and that he could have delivered
<more>
more votes if he needed to.
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