A week after partisan budget passes, governor remains reluctant to sign

It’s been nearly a week since California lawmakers passed a $92 billion budget, and there’s still no word on whether Governor Brown will sign it. A handful of sticking points have left Democrats and the governor about a half a billion dollars apart.

One sticking point is over how to account for tax dollars that would have gone to now-defunct redevelopment agencies. Democrats say that money will go to schools to the tune of an extra $250 million. That, they say, means the schools will need $250 million dollars less in state funds.

But Brown says the Democrats are wrong — that money won’t go to schools, so there won’t be any change in the state’s obligation to fund education.

Democrats also disagree with Brown on his proposal to cut $800 million from Cal Works, California’s welfare to work program. The Governor wants to end assistance for parents after two years if they fail to find work or meet other requirements (current law has assistance ending after four). Democrats oppose the cut to families while unemployment remains high.

The “Sacramento Bee” reported late Wednesday that the two sides discussed a Cal Works funding compromise that would exempt the parents of young children or those who live where the unemployment rate is highest.

They’ll have to work it out by June 27th. That’s when the Governor has to sign or veto the budget.