ALAMEDA, Calif. — California state lawmakers negotiating a budget with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday night that they’d achieved a framework for an agreement.
They did not disclose what that framework consists of.
California broke a record this week for its latest-ever budget. The fiscal year began on July 1.
“There is a budget framework in place,” Seth Unger, spokesman for the Assembly Republican Caucus said in an e-mail statement Thursday. “Members and staff will be working on language through the weekend so that the leaders can come back together Monday with a consensus and finalize.”
Lawmakers and the governor have not been able to agree how to resolve the projected $18 billion structural gap in the general fund. Though Democrats have majorities in each house, the requirement for a two-thirds vote to adopt a budget gives leverage to the GOP minorities.
Thus far, Democrats have insisted they want to protect health and welfare programs, and raise new revenue to do so. Republicans said they won’t approve any new taxes.
The Republican governor, whose term ends in January, has also insisted on reforms to reduce public employee pension costs.
Legislative leaders from each party met for hours with the governor Wednesday and Thursday in Los Angeles in an effort to work out a deal.
“Today’s meeting has resulted in significant progress, and I believe we have reached a framework for a potential agreement,” Assembly Speaker John Perez said in a statement. “We will continue to work throughout the weekend to iron out the details.”
