BUDGET DAY PLUS 84 – At last, the count has ended.
The final stanza of the 2008 budget saga was finally written this morning, as Governor Schwarzenegger signed the budget into law… on this first day of autumn.
Only 280 days to go until the next countdown for fiscal year 2009-2010.
A few items are worth noting, as the drama comes to a close:
The Blue Pencil: Schwarzenegger’s vetoes… $714 million ($510 General Fund)… are not the most he’s ever crossed out of a budget. The record was set last year; however, remember that the summer 2007 vetoes were ones largely already anticipated by the Capitol community, given they were a crucial part of the final deal with the “Gang of 14.”
The governor said today that this year’s vetoes were all about creating a larger reserve than the one was left with by the Legislature, which was about $800 million. The vetoes were in all kinds of programs, but the real dollar savings – close to 60% -- came from just two places: housing assistance for senior citizens and public transit. Several interest groups took particular aim today at Schwarzenegger for the $190.8 million cut from rent and property tax assistance for seniors.
Photo Op vs. Politics: Schwarzenegger decided to do a low-key budget signing… with his staff only allowing photographers in to see the official event. But his political team decided to link the budget impasse with the governor’s support of Proposition 11, the redistricting proposal on the November ballot. They clearly wanted the Prop 11 story line as part of today’s budget coverage. But some reporters… present company included… opted to not mention the Prop 11 event at all in their stories. Today’s news was the budget, not a proposal that is still being hotly debated as to its possible long-term impact on political paralysis at the Capitol. And, not surprisingly, the governor got questions from reporters at the Prop 11 event that were almost exclusively about… the budget.
Bonds and Ballots: At that Prop 11 event, the governor mentioned that he’d like to see a water bond on the special election ballot, an election (we think) will be scheduled for June 2, 2009. But as reported on Sunday, the state Constitution seems to limit bond measures from the Legislature to general election and primary ballots. Trouble is, the constitution is about as clear as… mud on this issue. Some are suggesting a water bond could be submitted as an initiative, though that route takes a lot of time and money.
Bills: Now the focus switches to the bills left on the governor’s desk. 875 of them, according to his office, that must be acted on in the next 6 days, or else become law without Schwarzenegger’s signature. No rest for the weary, it seems.
