In a speech in Escondido today, Governor Schwarzenegger asked lawmakers to send him a budget that plugs the state's $24 billion budget gap. The governor said there's no time to waste.
State lawmakers face a deadline of June 15th to pass a balanced budget.
In his in Escondido speech, Governor Schwarzenegger said he's already taken important steps like reducing the state's payroll. And he says he's proposed the necessary but painful cuts to education and health care.
"There is no two ways about it, those are tough cuts we are making," said the governor. "But we have no choice, because our wallet is empty, our bank is closed, and our credit is dried up."
Democratic lawmakers don't like the idea of eliminating the state's welfare program, or discontinuing health care for poor children.
They have yet to put their own budget plan forward.
