Analyst pegs CA revenue $3.2B higher than governor

The state’s independent budget analyst says California will take in $3.2 billion more than Gov. Jerry Brown estimated, providing Democratic lawmakers the opportunity to increase spending.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office released its assessment of Brown’s budget revision on Friday, just days after the governor’s revised budget. It said the administration’s figures do not reflect the improving economy, including higher capital gains from stock sales.

Assembly Speaker John Perez says no one should interpret the number “as an automatic green light to increase spending.” But he says there is strong pressure from Democratic lawmakers and advocates to restore past program cuts.

Brown proposed a $96.4 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1. He wants to funnel more money to K-12 schools but limit state obligations.