Arnold gets his budget

SACRAMENTO - The Legislature approved a compromise state budget Friday after ceding to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's demands for budget reform and receiving his approval for the plan to end the state's record three-month stalemate.

The $143 billion budget plan would allow California to resume payments to schools, medical clinics, day care centers and state vendors that haven't been paid since July 1, the start of the fiscal year. Legislators had to bridge a $15.2 billion budget deficit. AP in
the Daily News.
He said he was pleased legislative leaders agreed to stronger controls on the state's rainy day fund and gave him the authority to make spending cuts during the year. But he added that he wanted more reforms to prevent the state from spending more than it takes in.

He said he could sign the package as early as Monday, though there might not be much fanfare.