Perata calls budget vote for next week

Though no budget deal has been reached, the Senate will convene next week to vote on a budget proposal. An email sent to Senate staff from Senate Secretary Greg Schmidt says the vote will happen Tuesday.

As of now, says Perata spokeswoman Lynda Gledhill, the vote will be on the Democrats’ budget plan, which includes $9.7 billion in new revenues, most of which comes from a tax increase on upper-income taxpayers.

But, she said, that could change.

“Don has said publicly that we’re going to have a vote next week. The goal is to have something on the governor’s desk by August 1. That’s a very important deadline in terms of the state’s cash situation.”

Gledhill said the July 29 vote would give the governor a chance to sign a budget before the state runs out of cash. But there seems to be little Republican support for the conference committee report, as written.

"This is just a drill," said Morgan Crinklaw, spokesman for Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, R-Fresno. "This is not the product of negotiations"

A spokeswoman for Speaker Karen Bass said the Assembly was considering taking a budget vote next week, but nothing has been officially set.

Here’s the e-mail Schmidt sent to Senate staff:

July 23, 2008
   
TO:              All Senate Offices
FROM:        Greg Schmidt, Secretary of the Senate
RE: Floor Session – IMPORTANT
       
The President pro Tem has announced that the Senate will convene on Tuesday, July 29, for the purpose of considering AB 1781, the budget bill.  No other legislation will be considered.
 
The time of the session has not yet been determined.   However, travel plans should provide for your arrival at the Capitol by noon.