Brown Budget Proposes Big Spending, But Takes Fiscally Cautious Approach
In a time when state coffers appear to be a couple of billion dollars flusher than anticipated, just about every program the state funds wants a piece of the action. Or at the very least, to be made whole again after the damage done during the Great Recession. Governor Jerry Brown's new budget proposal does loosen the purse strings -- but he's also taking a fiscally cautious approach.
Governor's Budget Would Pump Billions Into K-12 Schools
Public schools are the biggest winners in Governor Jerry Brown's multi-billion-dollar budget proposal. Not only is there more money -- $10 billion more for K-12 -- there are also billions of dollars in debt repayment.
Medi-Cal Payment Cuts Could Threaten Access to Care for Low-Income Patients
Health and social services constitute the second-largest piece of the budget pie after education. Gov. Brown's new budget proposal offers $670 million to expand Medi-Cal benefits like dental care and mental health care. But the budget leaves in place a 10 percent cut to reimbursement rates to doctors -- and that could have a huge impact on low-income patients.
State Senator Roderick Wright Charged With Voter Fraud
State lawmakers in Sacramento are keeping one eye cocked toward Los Angeles, where opening arguments started in a trial involving their colleague Senator Roderick Wright. The Democrat from Inglewood is charged with perjury and voter fraud.