A week goes by, and so much happens, it's hard to keep track.
Here's a recap of last week's actions and inactions on closing the $40 billion state budget hole.
Monday, Dec. 15: Republicans finally put a no-new-taxes proposal on the table that called for cutting deeply into schools and social service programs. Neither Democrats nor Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger embraced the $22 billion plan, which included $6 billion raised by raiding voter-approved preschool and mental health funds. In fact, Democratic legislative leaders made pretty clear the proposal was DOA.
Tuesday, Dec. 16: Assembly Democrats and Republicans split along party lines in rejecting a Democratic plan to end the standoff. The roughly $19 billion package of companion bills included one for $11.3 billion in tax hikes, the other for $7 billion in spending cuts.
Wednesday, Dec. 17: As expected, state officials cut off funds for thousands of public work projects statewide, including roads, levees, schools and prisons. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer called the action regrettable but necessary to preserve cash as the state general fund tumbles toward insolvency. Meanwhile, Democratic legislative leaders announced a complex and controversial package of tax increases and program cuts, an $18 billion effort designed to avoid the need for Republican votes that GOP leaders called illegal.
Thursday, Dec. 18: Democratic legislators approved the budget package, Republican legislators threatened to sue over it, and Schwarzenegger made the issue moot by vowing to veto it. Democratic legislative leaders then announced lawmakers were heading home for the holidays.
Friday, Dec. 19: Schwarzenegger ordered that state employees take two unpaid furlough days each month starting in February and that the least tenured state workers face layoffs. He also called for a new special legislative session, demanding that lawmakers return to Sacramento to resolve the budget gap before Christmas. Democratic legislative leaders said they wouldn't bring lawmakers back until they reached a deal with him to close at least part of the budget hole.
And that's the week that was. This week? Who knows. It's only Monday.
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