Posted on 08/20/2007 3:09:28 PM PDT by SmithL
Senate Republican leader Dick Ackerman said Monday that the Senate has reached a tentative deal to resolve the state's protracted budget fight.
He cautioned, however, that the Assembly and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger still need to approve the agreement.
"My crystal ball isn't quite working yet," Ackerman said.
The Assembly, which returned from a month-long recess Monday, could join the Senate in voting on the compromise as early as today.
Ackerman said the Senate's tentative deal protects transportation bond money from "spurious lawsuits," which became a major GOP concern as the stalemate dragged on past the July 1 beginning of the fiscal year.
"We're talking to the Assembly," Ackerman said. "There's a tentative agreement on the Senate side but we don't yet have agreement from the Assembly and the governor."
Speaker Fabian Núñez said he would take the Senate deal to Assembly Democrats, but made no commitment to endorse it.
A tentative deal could end the Golden State's 51-day budget delay, which is 17 days away from breaking the all-time late budget of Sept. 5, 2002.
The fight has centered on Republican demand for additional cuts and protection of infrastructure bonds from being entangled in greenhouse gas emissions lawsuits.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
There’s still a long way to go. Both caucuses need to sign off on it, and then Fabio and the Assembly need to agree.
"Dutton has said he is worried that Brown and environmentalists would use the same tactic on billions of dollars the state is getting ready to spend on much-needed public works projects. He said he feared such a move would caused lengthy delays and prevent roads and bridges from being built or repaired."
Why do they take a month off, if an important matter like the state budget wasn’t approved yet?
Ask Fabian and Don Perata. Senate Republicans were here working, ready to put something together. The last motion before the Senate left was by Tom McClintock to remain in Sacramento and meet every morning at 9:00 am until an agreement was reached. The motion was defeated and Perata adjourned the Senate to return upon his call.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Yes. The welfare checks have got to roll.
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