This week, Governor Brown sat down with the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the state legislature. He's pitching his plan to close the state budget gap that's grown to nearly 27 billion dollars.  GOP Senator Bob Huff:

"The Governor's been very engaged and we appreciate that.  And we appreciate his willingness to entertain ideas. Whether he's serious or not, we'll find out as we go down the road.  I think he is."

Brown has proposed a combination of program cuts and extended tax increases.   Democrats don't like the cuts and Republicans oppose the tax plan.  GOP Senator Doug La Malfa says pension and tax reform are key to any deal:

"He heard from us that those are essential elements to get anywhere in the overall picture here. We have to be in an atmosphere that we're going to resolve a problem and cause job growth and economic growth in the state."