Tough budget choices await Brown and Legislature - Los Angeles Times Editorial

Jerry Brown takes his fourth and final oath of office as California governor on Monday, and members of the Assembly and state Senate, having been sworn in last month, are gearing up for Brown's 13th state budget proposal. That spending plan will come at a time of fiscal and economic recovery brought on in part by the last four years of relatively disciplined budgeting — and in large part by voters' decision in 2012 to adopt Proposition 30, Brown's temporary sales and income tax increases. They must also continue reforming the criminal justice system and keep Californians safe while complying with court orders to decrease the prison population. They must decide how to fund a strong state university system and improve K-12 schools. They must keep the economic recovery going while providing relief and opportunity for people who need help. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-opening-day-california-legislature-jerry-brown-20150105-story.html