California legislators passed a budget Wednesday, just hours before a midnight deadline. This year, lawmakers risked losing their paychecks if they did not produce a budget on time. Only a simple majority was needed to pass the budget, but state Democrats say it is not ideal. Gov. Jerry Brown must now face the budget and decide whether to keep it as it is or confront the issues and send the budget back for more work. Dr. Bruce Cain, professor of political science at U.C. Berkeley and Director of the University of California Washington Center tells us why the budget issue this year is different than in the past.
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!