Democrats Pass New State Budget

Tuesday night, California Democratic lawmakers passed a state budget package. In order to close an almost $10 billion deficit, the budget includes some severe cuts in spending and additional fees.

Among the fees; people living in wild-fire prone areas, now face an annual fee of $150.00 to help cover firefighting costs. Also, it will cost everyone more at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Car registration fees will increase by $12.00. At the D-M-V in Palm Springs, this wasn’t exactly welcome news. “We’re in a budget crisis, but I mean you keep jacking everything up, why don you start looking at trying to conserve money? That’s what the state needs to do,” said D-M-V customer Chris Wittham.

The fees in the budget are open to interpretation. Taxpayer groups are already considering legal action on the fees because by law tax increases require a two-thirds vote. The budget was pushed through by a simple majority vote.