The deadline to approve California’s budget looms ever nearer, and the state’s decisionmakers have yet to approve Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal to extend 2009 sales tax and vehicle license fee increases until voters can weigh in on the extensions in a September special election.

According to constitutional mandate the budget must be passed by June 15th, yet some lawmakers and public employees have reservations about the revenue extensions and Brown’s proposed special election to decide their long-term viability.

One of Brown’s campaign promises – to let citizens decide the fate of any revenue extensions – has some public employees concerned that the public will vote to end the extensions, necessitating further cuts to an already strained budget.

Several lawmakers are asking for Brown to end the revenue extensions now and make billions of dollars in additional cuts to balance the budget.

Your ACSS has officially supported revenue extensions as a means to balancing the state’s budget and deterring further cutbacks for state workers.

Further reading:
California budget pact stuck over a tax extension till fall election
California Gov. Brown says budget success depends on GOP
Budget talks hit an impasse over three-month tax extension
Union director warns California governor that tax referendum could backfire