(Nov. 12) The budget problem keeps getting bigger and bleaker. Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor issued a report Monday that projects a $27.8 billion shortfall over the next 20 months. Taylor, who called the current budget crisis “just truly awful,” generally supports the governor’s plan but suggests changes. Among them: reduce the sales tax hike to 1 cent; reduce education cuts; and increase the vehicle license fee.

One hopeful note for state employees: As reported in The Sacramento Bee, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg both oppose the furlough. And, yes, if you’ve wondered, that furlough would not affect legislators or the Legislature’s employees. To members: How about sending letters of support to Bass and Steinberg through our Legislative Action Center? Use the alphabetical links to call up their email forms.