Lawmakers Have Chance To Rest, Budget Passed

The Labor Day weekend marks the first chance for California lawmakers to enjoy a brief rest, after toiling through the summer to find agreement on an overdue state budget. The 99 billion dollar measure was finally approved early today.

The budget contains about two-point-four billion dollars in new or increased taxes, which lawmakers in this election year call “revenue enhancements.” It also would cut state spending by nine billion dollars. That includes cuts already made when it became apparent the state faces more than 23 billion dollars in revenue shortfalls. After minority Republicans in the state Assembly held fast for two months in opposing tax increases, a compromise broke free four Republican votes to reach the two-thirds majority required for Assembly passage. One Republican joined Democrats controlling the state Senate.