As we reported in this morning's radio story for The California Report, yesterday's action (and inaction) by the Legislature on a major prison reform bill fell victim to one of the essential truths in politics: a deal's not done until it's done.

And this one wasn't done... which is why we all get to come back Monday and try again.
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You're not really surprised that things turned out this way today, are you?

Of course, that's not to say that some parts of today's budget news weren't unexpected. And few would venture a guess as to what happens next... though indications are the Legislature will be spending the final weekend of June in session.

For a formal look at today's events, dial in to The California Report tomorrow morning. In the meantime...
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Arnold Schwarzenegger the optimist was back on display this morning in his brief, and serious, speech to a joint session of the Legislature.

But the governor, who's fond of saying that "he alone cannot lift" the fiscal weights of California, now must find a way to get Democrats and Republicans lifting the same weight. At the same time.
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You know that old saying about the "elephant in the room"? The thing on everyone's mind but not being mentioned?

In Governor Schwarzenegger's hastily arranged budget news conference, the elephant in the room... was the elephant-logoed party members who sit upstairs in the state Capitol, refusing to budge on a tax increase.

One way to gauge the icy nature of the governor's demeanor, consider the following Harper's-inspired factoid.

Number of times Schwarzenegger mentioned the name of dethroned Senate GOP leader Dave Cogdill: 3.

Times he mentioned the new guy, Senate GOP Leader Dennis Hollingsworth: 1.
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Yowza.

Drama is nothing new in politics, and certainly not in state budget standoffs. But you've got to take your hat off to Republicans in the state Senate after the midnight massacre, where now former leader Sen. Dave Cogdill was unceremoniously shown the door. In his place, the caucus chose Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, the vice-chairman of the upper house's budget committee and a senator termed out of office in 2010.
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