For a budget that most watchers thought wouldn't hold many surprises -- new and deep cuts, premised on taxes -- perhaps the biggest surprise was the timing. A surprise to Governor Jerry Brown, too.

This week's Capital Notes Podcast takes a first look at the new state budget proposal -- winners, losers, and the political challenges Brown faces in getting it passed.

Kevin Yamamura of the Sacramento Bee and I also discuss criticisms about the proposed new round of "trigger cuts," and use analogies from basketball to -- well -- Star Wars to describe the road ahead.

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