When will talks resume in addressing the Calif. budget deficit?
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders resumed work Saturday on bridging California’s $26 billion budget shortfall, with one lawmaker saying a deal was possible within the week. The negotiations that began Friday after two weeks of inaction and partisan bickering were remarkable for their lack of acrimony. Aides to the governor and top lawmakers from both parties expressed optimism about the direction of the talks, even as they cautioned that much work remains. “If things keep progressing the way they are, it’s certainly possible to have a vote next week,” Senate Minority Leader Dennis Hollingsworth told The Associated Press after emerging from a meeting with Schwarzenegger late Friday night, smelling of cigar smoke. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Assembly and Senate returned to the governor’s office Saturday morning for a closed-door session expected to last several hours. Talks centered on the extent of budget cuts — which are expected to range from $11 bill
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders resumed work Saturday on bridging California’s $26 billion budget shortfall, with one lawmaker saying a deal was possible within the week. The negotiations that began Friday after two weeks of inaction and partisan bickering were remarkable for their lack of acrimony. Aides to the governor and top lawmakers from both parties expressed optimism about the direction of the talks, even as they cautioned that much work remains. “If things keep progressing the way they are, it’s certainly possible to have a vote next week,” Senate Minority Leader Dennis Hollingsworth told The Associated Press after emerging from a meeting with Schwarzenegger late Friday night, smelling of cigar smoke. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Assembly and Senate returned to the governor’s office Saturday morning for a closed-door session expected to last several hours. Talks centered on the extent of budget cuts _ which are expected to range from $11 bill
