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Senate Leader Ready To End California Budget Talks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The Democratic leader of the state Senate says he is growing frustrated after weeks of negotiations with Republican lawmakers that have failed to yield a deal on Gov. Jerry Brown's budget plan.

   Senate President Pro Tem Darrel Steinberg said Friday that he was "prepared to pull the plug" on talks but would not give up as long as the Democratic governor wants to keep negotiating with GOP lawmakers.

   Republicans are seeking pension, spending and regulatory changes in exchange for support a special election that would ask Californians to extend a series of temporary tax increases.

   Democrats say the GOP still won't spell out specific demands, and time is running out.

   Brown this week signed bills that cut the $26.6 billion deficit to $12.6 billion through spending cuts and fund transfers.

   (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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