California Democrats approve budget closing spending deficit. Why they still want billions from voters
… The budget battle is not over … Legislators are still working out two bond measures that will ask voters in November to allow California to borrow even more money for school facilities and climate change-related programs. Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, on Monday confirmed lawmakers will seek to extend the deadline for adding measures to the November ballot from June 27 to July 3. Lawmakers have sliced budget dollars for climate change and school facilities, an indication they’re hoping to use bond money to fill those holes. The spending plan agreement includes hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts to water storage projects, climate resilience initiatives and dam safety as well as a handful of other related reductions. … Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, and Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, have climate bonds, both of which seek more than $15 billion for water quality and conservation, wildfire prevention, coastal preservation, clean energy projects and more.
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