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9. A -11 QUOTESfrom page 10... "a " ".." " 9999 .........................9646.. Assembly rejected a Republican plan to balance the budget without new taxes." Sacramento Bee, 7/7/03, Deficit bonds gaining favor. "Supporters say the bonds would prevent crippling cuts to classrooms, health services and prisons. But some financial experts warn that a budget built around borrowing — whether it be for a household or a government — shrugs off accepted financial wisdom and merely postpones tough budget decisions." Palm Springs Desert Sun, 7/06/03, State Budget Tiff Resumes. "Californians are cel- ebrating this July Fourth weekend without a state budget, and no one is sure if they will have one by the next national holiday on Labor Day." The San Francisco Chronicle, 7/5/03, GOP's State Budget Plan Rejected. "Assembly Democrats on Sunday night flatly rejected a Republican plan to wipe out a $38 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes, saying the spending cuts would turn Californians away from kindergar- ten and college classes and leave the poor 'dying in the streets. "' The Contra Costa Times, 7/05/03, State's Final Budget Likely to be a Patchwork. "While Democrats and Republicans disagree on major points concerning California's potential $38.2 billion budget deficit, they agree that a final solution will involve a patchwork of accounting gimmicks, loans and fund shifts." The San Jose mercury News, 7/04/03, Budget Impasse Down to $2 billion. "The stalemate over how to fix California's massive $38.2 billion budget shortfall appears to come down to a dispute over what to do about less than $2 billion." Sacramento Bee, 713/03, Human Cost of GOP Cuts Called High. "Republican budget plans released this week would make tilousands of people ineligible for subsidized health care, give young students a later start and cut monthly grants to the aged, blind and disabled." The Contra Costa Times, 7/03103, Higher Sales Tax Could Cost Jobs. "The higher sales taxes that are seen as one cure for California's budget ailments could unleash a host of plagues, including thousands of lost jobs and slumping retail sales, according to economic studies by two state agencies." Sacramento Bee, 7/3/03, State's Forecast Carries Big 'If.' "The long -term prospects for California's sputtering economy to return to prosperity look bright, a Palo Alto research group predicted Wednesday. But there's one dark cloud hovering over the road to recovery: The partisan bickering that has all but paralyzed the state Capitol." SEE FOR YOURSELF from page 8 " " " " " " Legislative Session In Recess Next Week? Next week we expect a flurry of activities on the budget due in part to the fact that the legisla- ture is scheduled to go into summer recess on Friday, July 18th. last year, the Senate was successful in passing a budget bill by the begin- ning of summer recess, while the Assembly remained in session throughout the recess period to debate the budget bills. Whether either house will meet the summer recess deadline at this point is anybody's guess. San Diego Union Tribune, 7/5103, Forecast: State's Economy Can Boom, but Politicians in Way. "The gridlock is our worst enemy. It sends a signal to business that we're more interested in pointing blame than taking care of what could be done to compete. That's a very dangerous signal." For further details or questions as the budget activities progress next week, contact your Re- gional Representative, or alternatively Jean Korinke, ikorinkelaacacities.ora. Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 11