Breaking News: California Senate in Process of Passing State Budget; Attorney General Jerry Brown Announces Settlement of Globa

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

There is a double header of breaking good news.

The California State Senate is in the process of passing the state's budget with Senate Republican leader Dick Ackerman joining his fellow Republican lawmaker Abel Maldonado in voting for it and trailer bills associated with it. Some of the trailer bills, attached to and necessary for the budget to go into effect have been passed by the Senate and have received other Republican votes.

The budget bill is "on call," meaning the record is being kept open for additional votes to pass it. It has 26 votes, one shy of the number needed. The Senate is waiting for the arrival of Democratic State Senator Edward Vincent who is bill but will provide the final vote for passage.

Republican State Senator Tom McClintock, along with some of his party colleagues have maintained perfect records of never having voted for a California State Budget.

Ackerman's vote may result in a change of Senate Republican leadership, with a new minority leader having been predicted for some time now. Ackerman himself had indicated he would be stepping down before he is termed out next year under current law.

The California Environmental Quality Act changes that Republicans signed off on change the law as to global warming lawsuits only to enact a moratorium of two years or so (bill is not in print, but sources indicate that to be the case) until rules can be developed and is limited to roadways and other items contained in Proposition 1B which passed last year. It will not extend to housing developments and other areas being enforced by Attorney General Jerry Brown.

The Assembly is meeting now as well and bills will be simultaneously transmitted so both houses can conclude this overdue budget this afternoon on this, the 52nd day beyond the start of California's fiscal year. The budget will not go into effect until it is signed by Governor Schwarzenegger following his "blue pencil" (veto) of items. He has indicated he will further reduce the budget by $700 million in addition to the cuts necessary to get it passed in its current form. The Governor's signature is expected later today or tomorrow.

At the same time, California Attorney General Jerry Brown is in Southern California, joined by San Bernardino County officials to announce the landmark settlement of a global warming lawsuit filed by his office against San Bernardino. The agreement, approved by the County, is described by Brown as establishing "a unique greenhouse gas reduction plan that will identify sources of emissions and set reduction targets."

There will, as they say, be more to follow.