California Lawmakers Send Governor Main Part Of Budget

State lawmakers have sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger the main bill in a legislative package aimed at ending California’s record budget impasse and closing a $19 billion deficit.

The Senate’s vote early Friday comes more than three months after the start of the fiscal year, as the state was preparing to issue IOUs to state contractors.

The Senate’s approval came hours after the Assembly acted Thursday.

The $87.5 billion general fund spending plan lawmakers sent to the Republican governor is nearly $16 billion less than the general fund just three years ago. It’s a stark indication of the economic conditions in the nation’s most populous state.

Assemblyman V. Manuel Prez (D-Coachella) cast his “yes” vote to the measure on Thursday.

“This package is far from perfect, but with the budget now 100 days overdue, we must pass a budget and get our state moving forward,” he said. “All along I have said that I would judge our state budget by the extent to which it retains and creates jobs for Californians. This budget protects existing jobs, such as for our teachers, child care providers and local governments, and spurs new private sector investment, while also maintaining education funding levels.

“I’m also pleased that the package includes the veterans’ workforce accountability provisions I included in legislation last year and then followed up with oversight hearings in 2010.”

Schwarzenegger helped negotiate the budget deal, which includes no new taxes or fees, and is likely to sign it quickly.