Governor Brown vetoes Dems bid to revamp automatic budget cuts

Sept. 16, 2011 | By Julie Small | KPCC
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Democrats in Sacramento have lost a bid to block automatic spending cuts if state revenues fall short of projections next year. Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed a bill that would have let lawmakers propose alternatives cuts.

Democrats in the legislature are increasingly worried that state revenue will fall at least a billion dollars short of projections. A billion dollar shortfall would trigger mid-year budget cuts for California courts and for higher education.

In a worst-case scenario, a $2 billion shortfall would trigger cuts to public schools. Democratic lawmakers wanted to compel the state finance director to consult with them on alternatives to the automatic cuts in this year’s budget.

But Brown opposes any changes to the state’s spending plan that might scare Wall Street and undermine California’s newly improved credit rating. He vetoed the Democrat’s bill. Brown’s veto message says California has a “no-gimmicks, on-time” budget. The governor asks, “Why undermine the plan that has earned widespread respect and helped stabilize California’s finances?”

Lawmakers will find out in December whether the state will have to pull the trigger on more cuts.

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