Gov. Jerry Brown, top lawmakers hail budget deal

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders made it official on Tuesday afternoon: They have a budget deal.

Brown held a press conference with Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) on Tuesday afternoon to herald the agreement.

“A budget agreement has been built,� Perez said.

Brown thanked lawmakers for their willingness to compromise despite their concerns about some of his proposals.

“This is a real step forward,� he said. “California is focusing in this budget on improving the healthcare of the people in this state and improving educational opportunities.... This is not only a balanced budget, but it is a real step forward.�

He said lawmakers and the administration are working “in a unified effort to serve people of California in incredible ways.�

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg noted that the agreement is poised to become the third on-time budget in a row in California. Lawmakers have until Saturday to approve it in the full state Senate and Assembly.

“This one feels even better than the first two,� he said.

The $96.28-billion compromise accomplishes much of what Brown wanted in the budget, including more money for schools with large numbers of students who are poor or English learners. It also hews closely to Brown’s more conservative tax revenue estimates.

At the same time, Brown found room for several proposals from Democratic lawmakers, albeit pared down or delayed versions. The budget includes or lays the groundwork for more spending on dental care for poor adults, increased welfare grants, tuition assistance for university students and child care.

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Twitter: @chrismegerian