Governor-elect Brown says there's no time to waste, given the deficit of up to 28 billion dollars.
"We're at an unprecedented moment of reckoning. This perfect storm I think it's the worst it's ever been."
Brown called the meeting of state and local education leaders. He told them that schools, which get the biggest chunk of the budget, aren't immune:
"I can't promise you there won't be more cuts because there will be."
Having a budget in place early would allow lawmakers to go to
voters in the spring to ask them to approve tax increases or other
revenue. That's one idea that's being discussed by Democratic
leaders. Brown releases his budget proposal early next
month. He says it will be rough, warning people to sit down - or
fasten their seatbelts if driving - when they get the news.