One house of the state Legislature has passed part of an $18 billion plan to tackle California’s budget deficit, bypassing the need for a two-thirds majority vote to approve a tax increase. Senate Democrats were voting on a complicated mix of revenue cuts and tax increases to address part of California’s $42 billion budget shortfall. They were hoping for a simple majority vote, passing it without Republican support.
The package of bills now goes to the Assembly for a vote. Lawmakers have been stuck over how to deal with …

Both houses of the Legislature were to convene this evening to vote on a new Democratic budget plan that raises taxes without two-thirds votes but the sessions were delayed as legislative leaders negotiated for a signature from Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger reportedly was demanding concessions from Democrats on regulatory and labor laws that business groups have been demanding - changes that the Democrats’ allies in labor and environmental groups strongly oppose.
Lawmakers plan to return at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

California legislators are expected to vote late today on a $17 billion package of tax increases and program cuts pushed by Democrats to help bridge the state’s massive budget gap. Republicans were quick to criticize the proposal, however, saying it would not win GOP votes and does nothing to stimulate the economy or provide hope for the unemployed.   “It’s not what Californians need,” said Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines. For every $1 in tax increases, there would be $1 in state cuts, say Democrats who have released a summary …

California legislators are expected to vote late today on a $17 billion package of tax increases and program cuts pushed by Democrats to help bridge the state’s massive budget gap.