jerry brown

Budget Debate Under Way in California Legislature

Ben Adler — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:43:00 +0000

The California legislature has approved the 2013-14 state budget bill - one day before its constitutional deadline to send a spending plan to Gov. Jerry Brown. Debate continues on the budget's accompanying "trailer" bills.

The $96 billion dollar general fund budget uses the cautious revenue estimates insisted upon by Brown while also making new spending investments in select programs pushed by legislative Democrats.

School Districts Have Varying Views on School Funding Formula

Katie Orr — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:50:06 +0000

School districts in California will receive varying amounts of money under the state’s new school funding plan. And attitudes about the plan vary as well. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.

Under the new formula, districts will receive a base level of funding for every student. They’ll get additional money for every low-income and non-English speaking student they have.

Brown, Democratic Leaders Announce Budget Deal

Katie Orr — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:28:03 +0000

It wasn’t too many years ago California could barely get a budget passed. But as Katie Orr reports from Sacramento, things are different this year.

California Governor Jerry Brown was joined by Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Perez to confirm a three-way budget deal.

All appeared proud of their agreement, which was reached with time to spare before Saturday’s legislative budget deadline. Steinberg pointed out meeting that deadline is becoming routine.

Sources: Governor, Legislative Democrats Reach Budget

Katie Orr — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:07:59 +0000

California Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders appear to have reached a budget deal days before the legislature’s constitutional deadline.

“The Legislature is doing their job and doing it well,” the governor said in a late-night statement after the joint Senate-Assembly Budget Conference Committee wrapped up its work Monday. “It looks like California will get another balanced budget and, very importantly, educational funding that recognizes the different needs of California’s students.”

A New Kind of Budget Fight Comes to Sacramento

Katie Orr — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:01:00 +0000

With California’s budget deadline drawing closer and revenues rising, the air around the Capitol is filled with the cries of people calling for the state to restore past cuts. But Governor Jerry Brown is insisting on frugality. As Katie Orr reports from Sacramento, that’s setting up a new kind of budget battle after years of deficits.

Budget Battle Over Indigent Care Funds Pits Brown vs Counties

Ben Adler — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:01:47 +0000

One of the biggest unresolved issues in California budget negotiations is what to do with more than $1 billion counties currently spend on health care for the poor. Governor Jerry Brown says counties won’t need that money once the new federal health law kicks in next year. But as Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, the counties disagree.

Teachers Association Backs Brown's School Funding Plan

Katie Orr — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:34:05 +0000

The California Teachers Association says it backs Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal to change how the state distributes money to school districts. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento, that puts them at odds with legislative Democrats.

Brown’s plan includes giving more money to districts with a majority of low income and non-English speaking students. These “concentrations grants” are controversial among some legislators because they’d come at the expense of other districts.

Legislative Democrats Want to Restore Budget Cuts, But Priorities Differ

Ben Adler — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:18:57 +0000

As California budget talks head into their final weeks, supporters of programs suffering from years of cuts are asking for help. Governor Jerry Brown opposes any new spending. But as Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, Assembly and Senate Democrats have different programs in which they'd like to invest.

California Fire Camps Key To Reducing Prison Overcrowding

Katie Orr — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:07:39 +0000

Reducing overcrowding at California prisons is not easy. Generally, inmates must either be released or given more space, which is expensive. But there is a third option. Inmates can be sent to fire camps. That's a cornerstone of Governor Jerry Brown's plan to reduce prison overcrowding in response to a federal court order. State Government Reporter Katie Orr takes a closer look at what these camps entail.

Environmentalists Lobby To Change Brown's Proposal For Cap and Trade Funds

Amy Quinton — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:35:16 +0000

Environmental groups have begun a lobbying campaign to stop California Governor Jerry Brown’s budget proposal to divert money from the cap-and-trade program.

Environmentalists say money from the sale of carbon pollution permits is supposed to go to programs that help further reduce emissions. Brown wants to borrow $500 million for the general fund.

Vien Truong with the Greenlining Institute says environmental advocates are angry. She says that money could be used for clean air programs in low-income communities.