Democrats Putting the Brakes on Brown's Budget Proposals

Legislative Democrats aren't showing much enthusiasm for California Governor Jerry Brown's budget.  Two months after its release, they haven't approved any cuts - and they've rejected $1 billion of Brown's proposed savings.  But they're promising a balanced budget in the end.

The governor has called on lawmakers to act on at least some parts of his budget proposal - or else the state's deficit would grow.  But they've made no cuts yet - and Assembly budget subcommittees have said "no way" to suggested cuts in welfare and college financial aid.  Senate President Darrell Steinberg says Democrats are fighting for their values:

Steinberg: "It's a time-honored tradition to stake out your position for purpose of a negotiation - which is what a budget always ends up being - and then to get the very best results you can, given the numbers and the circumstances that you find yourself in."

In fact, Steinberg says, his budget staff is quietly planning for every contingency - including the chance that state revenues will continue to fall short of projections.


Millionaires Tax Proponents: We're Not Going Away

Backers of a proposed income tax on California millionaires continue to resist pressure from Governor Jerry Brown to call their effort off.

On Thursday, they released a poll that suggests their initiative stands the best shot at passing - even if multiple tax measures qualify for the November ballot.

Rick Jacobs with the Courage Campaign is part of the coalition of progressive groups behind the Millionaires Tax.  He says the conventional wisdom that all tax measures would be hurt in that scenario is wrong.

Jacobs: "I think what this poll demonstrates really, really clearly - and should just take off the table - is this inside the beltway discussion - which it really is - about whether or not voters are smart enough to figure out what they want to vote for."

The survey was conducted on behalf of Millionaires Tax supporters.  It shows both that measure and the governor's have majority support if three tax initiatives are on the ballot - though the Millionaires Tax fares best.  The third measure, from wealthy civil rights advocate Molly Munger, fares the worst.