We’ve got a budget … under certain conditions, but we’ve got one.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.(AP)– The California Legislature passed a
long-awaited budget early Thursday after an epic battle that involved several
all-night sessions, sending the governor a package of bills that raise taxes and cut
spending to help close a $42 billion deficit.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, praised the bill, passed by the
Democratic-controlled Senate and Assembly. He came out of his office after the
budget vote and disconnected a large deficit clock counting the number of days — 106
as of Thursday — that the Legislature had failed to act since he declared a special
session to deal with the state’s fiscal problems.

“I’m absolutely delighted about the budget passing,” Schwarzenegger said outside his
office.

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Senate leaders secured the final vote needed from moderate Republican Abel Maldonado in late-night negotiations by agreeing to his demands for election changes,
government reform and removal of a gas tax increase, giving them the two-thirds vote
needed to pass the package.

We haven’t heard from any local pols yet, but I’m sure we’ll be hearing from them throughout the day.