California budget agreement possible next week
By Kevin Yamamura, Sacramento Bee
State leaders broke a dubious record today as California entered the 86th day of the fiscal year without enacting a budget.
Perhaps that served as sufficient motivation. Legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Thursday they had agreed on a “framework” for a budget agreement that could be voted on as early as next week.
But they provided no official details on the plan they discussed at Schwarzenegger’s private office in Santa Monica. And they were hesitant to call it an official compromise until after they brief lawmakers and meet again Monday in Sacramento. The state faces a projected $19 billion deficit, more than one-fifth of the general fund budget.
“The governor and legislative leaders have reached the framework of an agreement, will work through the details over the weekend, and hope to come to a final agreement when they reconvene Monday,” Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said in a statement that was reviewed by legislative leaders.
