The state is unlikely to pass a new budget by the June 30 deadline, which could jeopardize the delivery of social services and worsen Sacramento's already dismal financial picture, two Inland Valley assemblymen said Tuesday.
However, Leonard, R-San Bernardino, said the state's precarious fiscal situation -- and a deficit projection twice shattered since first Davis pegged it at $12.5 billion -- will make it difficult for the Assembly and Senate to agree on a budget in just six weeks.
"My projection is that we're not going to make the June deadline," Pacheco said. "Quite frankly, I don't know when we'll have a budget."
....If a balanced budget fails to pass by June 30, state agencies could lose funding until one does.
Failure to pass a budget by the deadline would not trigger an immediate shutdown. However, agencies might lose the ability to purchase supplies, or shut down altogether -- as happened in 1983 when the budget passed three weeks late, Leonard said.
Pacheco, who sits on the budget subcommittee dealing with health care, said funds for such programs could be cut off if a budget impasse were to last deep into July.
I'll bet right now folks are trying to figure out how to make the Republicans seem like they will be the people responsible for shuting down the California government by not joining Democrats in passing the budget.
I would suggest to Republicans that before the vote and before Davis Budget that they come up with a "Contract for the future," that lays out the conditions on which the party will endorse voting for the budget. Then make sure that the republicans stand firm in an election year.
I like your idea, but even if the Republicans stand firm on the budget, the Democrats only need four Republican votes ... and even if we stand firm, the press will NEVER report our side of the story. Been there, done that.
But it's a great idea ... and maybe because they are pissed off with many of Davis' shenanigans, they WILL report our ideas. But why do we have to come up with any solutions to the problems Davis created? As soon as we say, "We should do A, B and C", the debate is turned AWAY from Davis and onto the Republicans.
I think we need to continually point out that this is Davis' fault, just like the energy crisis and the continuing failure of our public schools. He is more interested in MONEY and ELECTIONS than GOVERNING or LEADING.
Dump Davis!