The State Senate finally approved a budget late today. It goes to the Governator for his signature (he has said he will sign it) and for his “blue pencil” (the line item vetoes).
For more details on what this budget really means, go to the Flash Report. You will find State Senator Tom McClintock’s commentary and State Senator Dennis Hollingworth’s commentary. Note in particular what Senator Hollingsworth said: “[The budget] is still one that will result inevitably in a near $5 billion deficit next year…Further, we all need to begin addressing next year’s looming fiscal problem–now, and not wait until we are so far into the budget that our options to balance it become fewer and more difficult.” Those are words to live by, but I don’t expect them to be heeded in Sacramento.