Governor And Democrats' Budget Deal Includes Reform, Deep Cuts To Welfare

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The governor and democratic leaders have reached a budget deal.

It includes major reforms to the state's welfare program and deep cuts that will impact thousands of families.

Gov. Jerry Brown pushed for deeper cuts after democrats passed a budget bill Friday and he is getting his way.

The budget is already drawing harsh criticism from those who will bear the brunt of those deep cuts.

Critics claim the budget puts California's children in the crosshairs.

"For the youngest and the oldest and the underprivileged, there is no safety net," said Hene Kelly, California Alliance for Retired Americans.

Lawmakers and the governor say they did the best they could in budget talks to make cuts while minimizing impact on families.

"Difficult but productive negotiations around three particular areas," said Senate President Pro Tem Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).

Perhaps the biggest hurdle has been cleared, reforms to the state's welfare program.

As the governor wanted, unemployed recipients of CalWORKs grants will now have a 24-month time limit to find work instead of 48 months before losing benefits.

The state's Healthy Families program for low-income children will be eliminated and rolled into Medi-Cal.

College students will take a hit as well with Ca Grants reductions taking effect next year.

State spending for subsidized child care will be cut 8.7 percent.

"They will eliminate slots; families will lose their child care services," said one protestor.

Protestors joined hands in prayer in front of Gov. Brown's office.

"Give us the wisdom to see through these challenging times," they prayed.

Back upstairs, lawmakers warn the already-painful cuts will only get deeper if voters don't pass the governor's tax initiatives come November.

"We have no interest in scaring voters; that isn't the point," said Steinberg. "The point, though, is that voters should be presented with choices, the clear choices."

Projections for balanced budgets the next several years hinge on those tax initiatives. The legislature is expected to take a floor vote on this budget early next week.