LOS ANGELES, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Budget committees in California's Senate and Assembly have given preliminary approval to Governor Jerry Brown's proposal to trim spending by $12.5 billion and ask voters to extend expiring tax increases.
But the plan's future remains uncertain because Republicans have vowed to withhold votes for the proposed referendum on extending tax hikes.
'This budget proposal is long on taxes ...,' Republican Assemblyman Jim Nielson, vice-chair of the budget committee, said in a statement on his website. 'Our goal must be to rein in the excessive growth of government, and ensure budget prudence and accountability.'
The committees made some changes to the governor's $84.6 billion spending proposal, including changes in cuts in certain healthcare services and Brown's proposed elimination of redevelopment agencies.
Brown sounded optimistic after the votes. 'I think we're within striking distance of getting something out of the Legislature that will give the people a chance to vote,' the governor told reporters on Friday.
Select members of both houses will convene to reconcile their respective spending proposals beginning next week. Brown set a March 10 deadline for lawmakers to send him a final plan. Keywords: CALIFORNIA BUDGET/ (deena.beasley@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 213-955-6746) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
But the plan's future remains uncertain because Republicans have vowed to withhold votes for the proposed referendum on extending tax hikes.
'This budget proposal is long on taxes ...,' Republican Assemblyman Jim Nielson, vice-chair of the budget committee, said in a statement on his website. 'Our goal must be to rein in the excessive growth of government, and ensure budget prudence and accountability.'
The committees made some changes to the governor's $84.6 billion spending proposal, including changes in cuts in certain healthcare services and Brown's proposed elimination of redevelopment agencies.
Brown sounded optimistic after the votes. 'I think we're within striking distance of getting something out of the Legislature that will give the people a chance to vote,' the governor told reporters on Friday.
Select members of both houses will convene to reconcile their respective spending proposals beginning next week. Brown set a March 10 deadline for lawmakers to send him a final plan. Keywords: CALIFORNIA BUDGET/ (deena.beasley@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 213-955-6746) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.