MICHAEL RUBIO: A California state budget update - Bakersfield.com

Since the start of the year, there has been much discussion -- both in Sacramento and here in Kern County -- about the implications of the projected $27-plus billion deficit. As a member of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, I feel that it is important to provide an update regarding the current state budget crisis. The Legislature has 45 days until it is constitutionally required to pass the state budget. To date, the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown have reduced the initial budget deficit by more than $11 billion through significant cuts. Those unfortunate but necessary initial deep cuts included a $1 billion cut to the University of California and California State University systems, as well as a $400 million reduction to the California Community College system budget.