Better late than never, Arnold signs budget

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed the state's $143 billion spending plan after the longest budget deadlock in state history. Mercury News.

The governor's signature, which comes on the 85th day after the start of the fiscal year, frees up billions in payments to medical clinics, nursing homes, daycare centers and contract vendors.

It won't, however, finish the budget battle. That will be up to voters, who will be asked to tie up the agreement's loose ends during a special election next year