Representatives from groups like the State P.T.A, the California Federation of Teachers and the Western Center on Law and Poverty say the Governor’s veto presents an opportunity—to put together a better budget.  Anthony Wright with the group Health Access California says what lawmakers have approved this week does nothing but cut services to needy Californians—and sets things up badly for the future. 

 “In order to paper over this year’s budget it actively steals money from future years. Whether through accelerated payments, or lottery securitization, the theme is the same which is to paper over this year’s problem by stealing from future years…”

Governor Schwarzenegger has said what the Legislature has approved takes the state’s fiscal problems and makes them worse.  Lawmakers said they would override a veto, which would require a two-thirds vote—the same as a budget. Lawmakers also say it’s time to end the stalemate because of state services can’t be funded when there’s no budget in place.