California Budget Panel Meeting Thursday Night Ahead Of Next Week's Deadline

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers have scheduled a meeting on the budget as the state Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown rush to negotiate a spending plan ahead of a deadline next week.

The budget conference committee is scheduled to meet Thursday evening and could send the budget to the full Assembly and Senate. Lawmakers have until Wednesday to approve a balanced budget or they forfeit pay.

Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a $122.2 billion spending plan last month that generally continues his preference for saving cash over expanding state services.

Democratic legislative leaders have pressed for more spending on affordable housing, universities and subsidized child care.

By law, about half the state's spending goes to K-12 education and higher education.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.