Brown Expected To Sign Controversial $86B Budget
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A slim Democratic majority passed the $86 billion general fund late Tuesday night in Sacramento to close the state's nearly $10 billion deficit.
However, the budget plan relies on $4 billion in revenue that may not materialize and could force a round of mid-year cuts.
Under the new budget, UC and Cal State University systems will face a 23 percent funding cut.
Amazon.com purchases will now be subject to state sales taxes and homeowners in Cal Fire wildfire zones will have to pay $150 annually.
Yearly car registration fees are expected to increase by $12 and 20 of the state's 278 parks will be shut down by July 2012, although summer reservations will still be honored.
Senate Democrats, however, argued the revenue assumptions were reasonable and logical.
"We're just approving the governor's reassessment of what revenues he believed would be an honest balance to this budget," Sen. Mark Leno, D-Sacramento, said.
Many Republicans said their input wasn't considered.
"What you have before us doesn't reflect Republican input because once again we've been iced out of the process," Sen. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, said.
The budget now needs Gov. Brown's signature. It's scheduled to take effect for the next fiscal year, which begins Friday, July 1.
