Governor Says State Budget Problems Will Be Solved

California Governor Jerry Brown provided more than 500 physicians at the California Medical Association's 37th Annual Legislative Leadership Conference today with a quick course in how the state's $26.6 billion budget deficit was created, but concluded on the optimistic note that he would be able to solve the problem.

Brown told reporters after his address that he plans to take trips around the state to talk to a variety of groups about the seriousness of the budget shortfall, which started at $26.6 billion but is now pegged at $13.5 billion after the Legislature approved an initial round of cuts.

The governor noted that as the state's chief executive he has to deal with many diverse issues.

"We've got to deal with prisons, we‘ve got to deal with taxes, with water, we have a very wide range. But here's my point," Brown said. "Even though it looks pretty challenging, things in California are doing pretty well. We don't know how we're going to get that $13.5 billion. That's just one of the little problems I've got to deal with. But other than that I think it's clear sailing."

During lengthy budget negotiations, Brown was unable to persuade Republicans in either house to vote to place a measure on the ballot that would extend temporary vehicle, sales, and income taxes for an additional five years, leaving $13.5 billion of the $26.6 billion deficit still unresolved.

Dustin Corcoran, CMA's chief executive officer, said, "We need to find a way to a sensible solution, and $26 billion in cuts is not sensible."

Click here to listen to a podcast of the governor's remarks.