California Budget Process Accelerated
SACRAMENTO (KCBS) _ Governor-elect Jerry Brown is warning lawmakers to expect the worst when it comes to the state's next spending plan.
San Mateo Assemblyman Jerry Hill, who leads the Democratic Assembly Caucus, said Brown won't sugarcoat the budget that he will propose just a week after he takes office.
"There isn't reason for optimism," Hill said.
KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:
He said he expects some $20 billion in spending cuts to address a $28 billion deficit. Nothing, not even the public schools, will be spared.
"I think his budget will be bare bones. It will show and indicate the cuts that will be necessary to get us past and equal the revenue we're taking in," said Hill. "And that's going to be painful."
Hill and other Democratic leaders also expect the new governor to propose extending two recent temporary tax increases to bring in another $8 billion.
But Brown said he will ask the voters for the final say on continuing the higher sales tax and vehicle license fee, which would require a special election.
The question now is if enough Republicans will agree to let voters consider higher taxes to balance the books.
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