It is unclear whether the proposal has the support of any Republicans.
By Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 29, 2008 -- SACRAMENTO -- -- Democrats in the state Senate said they would attempt to break the budget impasse today by offering their own spending plan for a vote.
It would be the first floor vote on the budget in that house since the fiscal year began 60 days ago.
The plan Democrats are offering is rooted in a proposal Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled this month. It includes a temporary sales tax hike and controls on how much the state could spend in the future.
It is unclear whether the proposal has the support of any Republicans. A budget cannot pass the Senate without at least two GOP votes. Senate Leader Don Perata (D-Oakland) suggested the governor may be able to persuade some Republican lawmakers to support the plan.
"If the governor can get a couple of votes, then we will have a budget," he said.
If the plan were to pass, it would go to the Assembly, where it would need at least six GOP votes.
Assembly Democrats are working on an alternative plan -- one that would allow them to raise taxes without the required two-thirds majority vote, according to people involved in confidential negotiations.
The plan would attempt to exploit a legal loophole by eliminating a tax cut that was put in place several years ago. Legislative lawyers have suggested it could be approved without Republican votes.
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