Governor Brown says California's budget deficit has dropped from more than 20-billion dollars to just over nine billion. Now he's proposing more than four billion dollars in cuts-that would include reductions in Medi-Cal, Cal-Works, and subsidies for child care for the poor. He acknowledged the cuts will be painful.
"When we have to reduce our spending that spending is going to come from programs that are doing good, in schools and health care and all the other areas that constitute public service…"
Brown's plan also relies on a proposed November ballot measure which would ask voters for increased taxes on sales and high incomes. If that fails, Brown says he would cut another five billion dollars in spending including money for public schools and universities.
Lawmaker Reactions: Brown, Steinberg Split on When to
Cut
By: Ben Adler
Brown: "If we don't make the cuts sooner, then you build up the deficit. And when you finally have to pay the piper, you have to pay more."
Steinberg: "Not doing those cuts early in the year."
Senate President Darrell Steinberg wants to see if updated revenue projections in May make further cuts unnecessary.
Steinberg: "Enough bloodletting!"
Meantime, Republicans like Senator Doug LaMalfa continue to oppose new taxes.
LaMalfa: "Personally, I just wish he would start with the Plan B approach - assuming that the voters are not going to support the tax increase. And then coming in with a budget plan that reflects that."
Democratic leaders say they plan to start budget hearings soon even if the cuts don't come until later.