SACRAMENTO – California lawmakers have missed the deadline to approve a state budget for the fiscal year that starts today.
Republicans and Democrats in both houses of the Legislature remain far apart on how to close the state's $15.2 billion budget shortfall.
Republicans, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, favor wide-ranging cuts to services and programs. Democrats want to raise taxes by $6 billion to $11 billion.
Lawmakers are constitutionally required to pass a budget by June 15 and give it to the governor to sign by July 1. That has happened only a dozen times over the past 30 years.
Associated Press
Producers make
last offer to actors
LOS ANGELES – Hollywood producers say they have made a final offer to actors hours befefore the current labor contract expires.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said in a statement yesterday that the offer is worth more than $250 million in additional compensation to members of the Screen Actors Guild.
The current pact expired at 12:01 a.m. today, but both sides said they would continue to work under the old contract.
Associated Press
Water crisis averted
after skinny dipping
PORTLAND, Ore. – Two people caught skinny dipping in a Portland reservoir that is a main source of water for the city nearly caused officials to dump millions of gallons of water and close the facility.
Ryan Langsdorf, 28, and Ashley Moyer, 23, were found in one of two sections of the Mount Tabor Reservoir Saturday during a spell of unusually hot weather. They were cited for trespassing.
But the two were swimming in a section of the reservoir that was not being used. Had that section been in use, water bureau officials say they would have had to dump millions of gallons of water from that pool and possibly shut off the reservoir.
Associated Press
City says it's not
liable for zoo death
SAN FRANCISCO – Officials said yesterday the city is not liable for the death of a San Jose teenager who was attacked by an escaped tiger on Christmas Day at the San Francisco Zoo.
The city referred a claim filed by the parents of Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, to the San Francisco Zoological Society, which manages the zoo, and to the society's insurance company.
Associated Press
