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Calif. Senate To Debate Budget Over The Weekend

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The state Senate has announced it will meet through the weekend in an attempt to hammer out a compromise for addressing California's remaining budget deficit, as talks begin in earnest just days before the legislative deadline to pass a spending plan.

To meet lawmakers' June 15 budget deadline, Democrats have focused on closing most of the $9.6 billion gap by renewing temporary increases in the state sales tax and vehicle license fee enacted two years ago.

The tax hikes are scheduled to expire by June 30. Gov. Jerry Brown wants to extend them until September, when he hopes voters will approve another extension through 2016 in a special election.

Renewing the tax hikes or calling a special election requires two Republican votes in each house, which have yet to materialize.

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

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