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I I A?i3 QUOTESfrom page 9 ............................................... The Parties Are Not That Far Apart on the Budget. "In a $71 billion proposed general fund, less than $2 billion separates the Democrats and the Republicans in the state Senate." News Stories yearly process of fashioning a new state budget has evolved into a more or less perpetual crisis, sometimes because Capitol politicians have too much money to spend but more often because they face a gap between revenues and spending desires." Sacramento Bee, 6126/03, Westly Warns of Pain if Deadline is Missed. "Controller Steve Westly warned Wednesday of the escalating effects of a late state budget, saying the state will halt payments to community colleges beginning in July and, in a matter of months, most state work- ers' pay will be chopped to minimum wage." The Los Angeles Times, 6/26/03, As Clock Ticks, Controller Details Cuts. "Roughly $1.5 billion in state money will stop flowing to schools, colleges, transportation projects and medical providers Tuesday unless the Legislature and the governor break the standoff on the state budget by then, California Controller Steve Westly said Wednesday." The Contra Costa Times, 6 /26/03, Budget Plan Limbo Bodes ill for Many. "California will quit paying community colleges and trim funding for public schools starting Tuesday if lawmakers fail to pass a budget by then, state Controller Steve Westly said Wednesday." San Francisco Chronicle, 6/27/03, An Out - of- Control Budget Battle. "This year, the state is a poster child for political failure. The Legislature has dug in for a budget siege that shows no signs of waning. Gov. Gray Davis, who won re- election just last November, could face a recall that mocks democracy and promotes opportunism." Riverside Press Enterprise, 6127/03, Bor- rowed Time, Borrowed Money. "California has quite a reputation for ignoring deadlines for finish- ing a state budget. Last year, the budget wasn't signed until Sept. 5, two months late. That was worse than usual, but hardly unpredictable. This year, it's running late again." Oakland Tribune, 6/27/03, Lack of Moder- ates Hurts Budget Process. "The once staid The Bakersfield Californian, 6/27/03, Come Home to Face Music. "The spending and cutting plan legislators are trying to put together to close a $38 billion hole in California's fiscal heart is a 'very crappy budget." The Ventura County Star, 6/27/03, Voters Must Push for Deal. "It's time for a deal, and voter pressure is the key." Sacramento Bee, 6128/03, Assembly Re- jects 2 Spending Plans. "California legislators concluded the final workweek of the fiscal year Friday in a state of budget paralysis, as two more attempts to pass a spending plan failed." San Diego Union Tribune, 6 /28 /03, Dead- lock Remains as All in Assembly Reject Budget Bill. "As if to dramatize the depth of the deadlock, the Assembly debated a budget bill at length yesterday and then the measure was rejected by everyone. The bill failed 0 to 43, with Democrats casting all of the "no" votes and no one voting "aye." Republicans didn't vote" The Palm Springs Desert Sun, 6/29/03, City, County Governments Feel State Budget Pain. "The state's multibillion- dollar budget shortfall means city and county governments will share in the financial pain." The Los Angeles Times, 6130/03, Budget Hopes Stuck in Neutral. "Last week ended much where it began for California's political leadership, with no agreement over how to close a $38- billion budget gap, no agreement over who is to blame and no agreement on when a compro- mise might be reached." The Los Angeles Times, 7/7/03, Amid Dire Warnings, State Again Misses Budget Deadline. Continued on Page 12 Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.eacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 11