Some major elements of the governor’s budget have trickled out the last few days, but there were still a few surprises at the big event this afternoon… and more on the event in a moment.

You can examine the entire budget this year online by clicking here. And for a complete wrap-up, tune in to KQED Radio News today and The California Report tomorrow morning.

But first, the new proposals:

* A $449 million cut from the welfare program CalWORKS, which includes reducing grants and canceling this summer’s cost of living adjustment (COLA). The governor also wants to cancel next year’s $174 million COLA for Californians who receive help from the SSI/SSP program. As one Democrat pointed out, these are exactly the kinds of cuts that former Senate President Pro Tem John Burton would have fought tooth and nail.

* A 49% decrease, in cost to the state, when it comes to contributions to the State Teachers Retirement System. The governor proposes that local school districts pick up the tab for what the state has traditionally paid into the system’s Deferred Benefit Program.

* And more bad news for officials on the local level… the governor wants county governments to pay the state’s portion of the salary of In-Home Supportive Services workers. That’s $195 million, and one local government official tells me that it’s a tough sell, considering the $1.3 billion hit they agreed to take last year.

* Many of the other proposals are well-known at this point, and chronicled here on Friday. As it was last year, the budget event itself was a Hollywood-inspired presentation with plasma monitors laying out charts and graphs… a roving microphone conveniently left for the governor under the podium so he could walk over and point to the charts for those morning newspaper photos… and a jazzy music selection over the PA system before the event including, by chance or by plan, a rendition of the song “These Are A Few of My Favorite Things.” No word on exactly which things were, indeed, the governor’s favorites.