Bishops Call On Lawmakers, Governor To Compromise

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The president of the California Catholic Conference is calling on Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative Republicans to return to the bargaining table to work out a deal on the state budget.

The Most Rev. Gerald Wilkerson, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, said Friday that his group is praying for a compromise on the $26.6 billion deficit.

The Democratic governor wanted to balance the budget through a mix of cuts and tax extensions that voters would consider in a June special election. But talks with GOP lawmakers collapsed.

Wilkerson says the news was disappointing for Californians and devastating to the poor and vulnerable, who face billions of dollars in cuts to social programs. He says lawmakers should not follow a partisan agenda.

The conference represents Catholic leaders statewide.