Gov. Jerry Brown got his conservative revenue estimates. Democratic lawmakers got money for some of their top priorities. And California now has a state budget deal.
Less than 24 hours after lawmakers passed a budget that relied on higher revenue projections, Gov. Brown came out with Democratic legislative leaders to announce that, after “strenuous negotiations,” a budget agreement was reached.
The spending plan uses Brown’s more conservative revenue estimates but still finds money for several of Democrats’ top priorities: preschool and child care for thousands more kids; more financial aid for California college students; and room for thousands more Californians to enroll at the UC and CSU systems. There’s also money to provide health care for children living in California illegally.
Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins praised the deal:
“Other than the budget the Assembly and Senate passed yesterday, this is the best budget that we have seen in years,” he said.
Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen says it’s too soon to say if her caucus will back the agreement.
“We’re very pleased that he held the Democrats to that lower, more conservative revenue projection,” she said. “The downside is he agreed to new, ongoing spending in the budget.”
Left out of the agreement: money to end a rule that limits aid for children born into the welfare system, and higher rates for Medi-Cal providers. But the governor did announce he’s calling a special session of the Legislature to stabilize the Medi-Cal system – and a separate special session on road and highway funding. Both will likely bring proposals for new taxes or fees.
This story was produced by Capital Public Radio.
