California Insider

The governor was almost self-mockingly optimstic today, saying that he and lawmakers -- one big family -- will soon hammer out a budget deal. He's confident that all of his side deals with local government, higher ed, the courts and the teachers will be approved, more or less. He praised Democratic lawmakers for their negotiating skills and even had kind words for the head of the prison guards union. He was so kind to Senate Leader John Burton that Burton cancelled a press conference he had planned to respond to the governor. In his only brush with news, Schwarzenegger did say, for the first time, that he would consider some Democrat proposals to eliminate tax breaks. He also says he is "this close" to a deal with the casino tribes that will bring big money to the state and free him to vigorously oppose two measures heading for the November ballot that would expand gaming in California. Here is an AP story from sacbee.com.

Today is the constitutional deadline for the Legislature to pass a budget. There is no indication that this deadline will be met. The last time lawmakers made the deadline was June, 1986. That was also the last year before I moved to Sacramento and started covering the budget. Hmm. Schwarzenegger plans an 11:30 a.m. press conference, presumably to put a little heat on the Legislature to get going.