Arnold promises cuts as budget stalemate ends

California's third-longest state budget impasse ended Tuesday when Senate Republicans finally agreed to a series of side deals and grudgingly granted the single vote needed to get the government machinery back in motion. Harrison Sheppard in the Daily News.

The $145 billion budget passed through the Senate by a 27-12 vote, the narrowest possible margin.

"It's a tight-fisted budget for California, but it's also a budget that those of us who believe in the compassion of the people of this state can be proud of," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nu ez, D-Los Angeles.

The end to the lengthy stalemate means the state will resume payments to nursing homes, child-care centers, state employees and others who were left without their primary source of income.

Winners and losers in the long budget battle. San Francisco Chronicle.