The state budget passed by California lawmakers and then vetoed by the governor was out of balance by nearly $2 billion, meaning state lawmakers will not be paid, State Controller John Chiang announced Tuesday.
Under Proposition 25, the "On-Time Budget Act of 2010," lawmakers cannot be paid starting June 16 until a balanced budget is passed.
“My office’s careful review of the recently-passed budget found components that were miscalculated, miscounted or unfinished,” Chiang wrote in a press release. “The numbers simply did not add up, and the Legislature will forfeit their pay until a balanced budget is sent to the Governor.”
Chiang's audit (pdf) found that spending exceeded revenues by $1.85 billion, with the largest problem being the level of funding guaranteed for education under Prop 98.
The June 15 budget fell $1.3 billion short in education funding.
Other problems centered on fees that were added as anticipated revenue stemming from bills that were never passed. These included $320 million in hospital fees, $103 million in taxes on managed care plans and $300 million in vehicle registarion charges.
Read the complete press release here.
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Prop Zero columnist Joe Mathews says the Governor shouldn't get paid either.
