Feb 19, 2009 6:30 am US/Pacific
Calif. Legislature Finally Approves Budget
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) ―
The California Assembly has followed the state Senate in approving a long-awaited budget, sending the package to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after an epic battle that involved several all-night sessions and political concessions.
The budget flew through the Assembly less than an hour after it won approval by a single vote in the Senate after late-night horse trading to win a final Republican lawmaker.
The budget includes spending cuts, tax increases and borrowing, intended to close a projected $42 billion budget deficit and to stop a fast-arriving fiscal disaster for the state.
The budget, approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, now goes to the governor, who is expected to sign the measure.
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