If there’s no spending plan when lawmakers go back into session late this month, here’s what Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata says will happen:

“The Senate will take up no legislation.  None.”

Republicans want changes to the state’s environmental quality act – or CEQA.  Democrats say the G-O-P wants to weaken it – but Republican Senator Dave Cogdill says that’s not true:

“All we’re trying to do is make sure that act is not abused and expanded in a way that we don’t’ believe the  people of this state certainly intended it to be.

But Senator Perata says it shouldn’t be part of the budget debate:

“I will not bargain on California’s environment.  There will be no negotiations on CEQA.  End of sentence.”

Senate Republicans say it’s unproductive to take CEQA off the table, since it’s a priority for them.