The Controller's office reports the state brought in $300 million less in September than the budget assumed it would. That puts California $700 million below projections for the first three months of the fiscal year.
Lawmakers and Governor Jerry Brown have already approved "trigger cuts" that will automatically take effect if the state's cash situation doesn't improve. Senate Budget Committee Chair Mark Leno says he's still hopeful the triggers won't need to be pulled.
Leno: "We would rather see more funds coming in than fewer, of course, but it's still a little early to be making any kind of definitive statements regarding the pulling of the triggers."
Those cuts could include additional reductions to the UC and CSU systems … and the elimination of up to seven days off the school year for K-12 students.
The governor's Department of Finance will announce whether the triggers will be pulled in mid-December.