Stand-Off On California Budget Continues--No Agreement Close—Floor Sessions Today

With cut-off in further payments from the State to reimburse community organizations, many have struggled over the past several weeks to take out loans to meet payroll and other expenses. Many organizations have or are now reaching the limits of their ability to take out additional loans, that mean reduction in services or outright closure.

But with no end in sight on the budget stand-off that could go on for weeks, nearly all community organizations and individuals who provide services and supports will be facing major crisis in keeping services or even their doors open. Many organizations, such as regional centers who provide funding to community-based organizations and individuals for services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, can continue probably through September - but many other organizations cannot.

For all organizations and individuals who provide services and supports however, the budget delay has created havoc and uncertainty on how to keep programs going.

State Constitution Requires Super Majority Votes On Budget

The State Constitution requires super majority (2/3rds) votes to approve a State budget, which means, with the current levels of membership of Democrats and Republicans, that Republican votes are also needed to pass it.

In the State Senate, with a total of 40 members (25 Democrats and 15 Republicans), 27 votes are needed to approve a budget - meaning if all 25 Senate Democrats vote for it, at least 2 Republicans are also needed.

In the Assembly, with a total of 80 members (48 Democrats and 32 Republicans), 54 votes are needed to approve a budget - meaning if all 48 Democrats vote for it, at least 6 Assembly Republican votes are also needed.

However adding to the problem in getting votes, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, a Democrat from Hanford, said she would not vote for a budget (and did not vote for a budget on August 17) until the Legislature takes action on water issues too. She was subsequently punished by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (Democrat - Los Angeles) who had her offices and staff moved out of the Capitol building to the legislative offices across the street. One other Assembly Democrat - Assemblymember Nell Soto, has not been present due to serious health problems. So it is possible that Assembly Democrats could need 8 Assembly Republican votes if Parra continues to hold her vote and if Soto remains out due to illness.

Governor Signs 1 Bill - But Veto Threat On All Others Remain

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made four exceptions to his pledge made on August 6 to veto all bills passed by the Legislature and sent to his desk until a State budget is passed, signing on Tuesday a bill that will revise a ballot measure on the November ballot dealing with the high speed rail bond initiative.

The Governor also, in a letter to legislative leaders, said he would also sign three other bills, also for the November ballot, dealing with a water bond, changes to the California Lottery and a budget reform measure. The Legislature has not yet taken final action on any of those proposals.

The Governor however said his threat to veto any other bill passed by the Legislature and sent to him until a budget is passed, remains.

Both the Assembly and State Senate are holding bills temporarily that have been approved by the Legislature and will not send bills to the Governor's desk until a State budget is passed or if the Governor decides to accept other bills as he did on Tuesday.

The State Constitution gives the Governor until September 30 to sign, veto or to allow bills to become law without his signature, so the Legislature has until then to send bills it has passed However what the Governor does at that point if there is still no budget, or if there is, with the limited time to review bills, is not clear. (Note: the Governor's office does know what bills the Legislature has passed. Even if those bills are being held, the Governor's office can review those bills and make recommendations that can then be given to the Governor after a budget is passed and bills can be sent to his desk.)

The California Disability Community Action Network, is a non-partisan link to thousands of Californians with developmental and other disabilities, people with traumatic brain injuries, the Blind, the Deaf, their families, community organizations and providers, direct care, homecare and other workers, and other advocates to provide information on state (and eventually federal), local public policy issues.