After months of bitter negotiations, the state legislature approved a budget that saves state parks and spares local governments, but falls short of closing California’s $26.3 billion budget gap. As a result, the state’s budget problems will continue next year — even if the economy recovers, according to the Chron. In reaching the budget compromise, Sacramento lawmakers used a series of accounting gimmicks, along with deep cuts to state services. The governor also plans to use his line-item-veto powers to achieve more cuts and balance the budget overall. In addition, lawmakers put off making a decision on how to implement $1.2 billion in cuts to the state Department of Corrections until next month.
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