BUDGET DAY PLUS 8-- With year after year of California budget impasses scarred by sharp partisan debates over spending versus revenues, it seems almost silly to say that there hasn't been much of a debate about a tax increase. But there hasn't.

And so, in the immortal words of Monty Python, now for something completely different...

Every multi-billion dollar budget deficit over the last few years has been papered over with an elixir of spending deferrals, accounting changes, and borrowing. But this time, the Legislature's Democratic majority seems ready to wield the very budget balancing tool that all of those schemes were designed to avoid: higher taxes.

The budget plan adopted by the joint budget conference committee last night (and, to be fair, adopted without any Republican support) calls for $9.7 billion in additional tax revenues, with more than half that amount coming from higher income taxes for high-income earners. Also in the mix, as reported last night, are more tax revenues from businesses and middle-income earners, as well as a new push to collect taxes that aren't being paid.

Of course, the tax debate isn't new for some Democrats, most notably Senate President pro Tem Don Perata. The Oakland legislator has been calling for new tax revenues for several months, and told reporters today that the proposal on the table is about fairness, in light of several years of cutting back programs and services for the most needy.

"We're asking those who have benefitted the most to pay the most," said Perata.

And pay the most they would. Adding two new tax brackets for wealthy Californians -- a 10% rate for joint returns above $321,000 and an 11% rate for joint returns above $642,000 -- would reinstate taxes levied during the state budget crisis of the 1990s. But those tax increases were temporary; Democratic budget staffers confirmed today that this proposal would make those tax rates permanent.

If enacted, it would mean California would have the highest state income tax bracket for the wealthy in the nation, according to data compiled by the Federation of Tax Administrators. And the very wealthy -- those earning more than $1 million -- would be subject to a 12% rate, because of the surcharge imposed by voters through Proposition 63 in 2004 (money for mental health programs).

Needless to say, Republicans seem almost giddy in these early hours of the debate. "That's a dysfunctional approach to the crisis that we're in," said Assemblymember Roger Niello (R-Sacramento) in comments to reporters this morning. "Those proposals, especially in a weak economy, have been proven time and again not to produce the revenue that's expected."

Niello and his fellow Republicans want more cuts in spending to resolve the $15 billion shortfall; Democrats, who are proposing to close the gap with slightly more in cuts than in tax revenues, adamantly refused such suggestions today. "We can't cut anymore," said Assembly Speaker Karen Bass. And so far, GOP legislators have not submitted specific cuts that would, alone, balance the budget.

So perhaps, for once, there might be a real debate about appropriate taxes and appropriate expenditures. One that forces Californians to think about what services they want, and what they're willing to pay. That would, indeed, be something completely different in the annual summer slugfest over the state budget.

That title has only been used once before in the California Assembly (and then only under unusual circumstances), but it'll be the buzz word for today when Karen Bass is sworn in as the 67th speaker of the lower house.

Bass hooked the top job several weeks ago, but today formally assumes the title and the power. The 53-year-old Los Angeles Democrat replaces Fabian Nunez at the helm, three months after Nunez's gambit to modify the existing term limits law was rejected by voters.

Speaker Bass spent some time with several Capitol reporters over the past few days, including a brief interview with me late last week.

In such a setting, it quickly becomes clear that she's much more succinct than the often verbose Nunez. That truncated communication style may be the perfect fit for her similarly slim agenda as leader of the Assembly. In almost every recent interview, including ours, Bass has said that there are only three things on her to do list: solving this year's budget mess, examining systemic reform of the state tax code, and strengthening California's overburdened and often neglected foster care system.

Click below to hear my profile of Bass that aired this morning on The California Report.

Aside from the big items on her agenda, a few other comments on recent issues from my interview with the new "Madam Speaker":

Redistricting: Bass says she supports an effort to remove political map drawing duties from the hands of the Legislature... but she's stopping short of an endorsement of the proposal that appears headed for the ballot thanks to the work of Governor Schwarzenegger and government reform groups. In fact, she expressed reservations about the proposal, and a desire to see what might come out of a new effort on the issue pledged by the outgoing Speaker Nunez.

Health care reform: Bass also said she'd like to return to last year's discussion on changes to the state's health care system... and dismisses any speculation that legislative efforts on the issue are all but dead in the near future.

Foster care reform: And back on her pet issue, Bass explained her interest in a future ballot initiative to find a new way of paying for the state's troubled foster care system... and why the needs are so great.

Today's big ceremony in the Assembly chambers will feature a who's who of VIPs, including many of the politicos who once held the job of speaker. And then it's back to work... and Bass' greatest challenger... as Governor Schwarzenegger unveils his much anticipated revised budget tomorrow afternoon.