Davis Believes Budget Stalemate Can Be Broken

California Governor Gray Davis says he believes the legislative stalemate over a state budget can be broken by week´s end. But Davis insists there must be a boost in the sales tax or the state will face massive cuts in services. Davis says the cuts would be “so awesome it would look like General Sherman going through Atlanta.” The state faces a $38 billion budget shortfall and is operating entirely on borrowed money.

Davis was joined by the heads of the state´s peace officers´ and fire chiefs´ association, as well as a representative from the California Teachers and the school boards associations. All pleaded with the Legislature to, as one put it, “do the job you´re elected to do,” and reach a compromise budget agreement. It´s the third straight time California has begun a fiscal year without a budget in place.