Both Houses Still In Session Trying to Finish Up Work on Several Budget Related Bills – Long Delayed Budget Nears Final Passage

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 10/07/2010 6:37 PM (Pacific Time)] – The Assembly passed just after 6 PM this evening SB 870, which contains the main budget bill by a vote of 54 to 1. The bill now heads back this evening for a vote in the State Senate.

Both houses are still in session, though at the moment the Assembly is in brief recess and the State Senate members are meeting in caucus (as of 6:37 PM)

Both houses passed several budget related bills – called budget trailer bills, but a long night still remains before the State Senate finally approves the main budget bill and all final votes are completed on the remaining budget related bills.

Still awaiting final action are budget trailer bills dealing with human services (AB 1612) and health, including regional centers and developmental centers, Medi-Cal and mental health (AB 1613), which are still “on call” in the State Senate – meaning a vote was taken earlier but the bills did not yet receive the 27 votes needed to send back to the Assembly for final approval there.

Governor Will Sign Budget If Passed Tonight As Early As Friday or Saturday

The Governor’s office indicated that if the Legislature is able to pass the budget this evening, that Governor Schwarzenegger would likely sign the main budget bill as early as Friday or Saturday.

CDCAN will issue report on outcome of the main budget bill in the State Senate – where it is expected to pass sometime this evening, though not without some delays and difficulty.