Assembly, Senate Pass State Budget; Gov. Brown Veto Uncertain

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - There was a lot to take in with this budget plan. Some lawmakers are saying they didn't get enough time to review it, but it's what's not inside the California budget that could leave it a casualty of the governor's veto pen.

But for the second year in a row, democratic lawmakers have pushed through a party-line budget before the voter-approved deadline to cut their pay.

"I don't want to make that accusation that they did it to get paid but I will say this action, yet again, is irresponsible," said Asm. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber.

Republicans also argue the more than 700 page budget, which includes a $92 billion spending plan, fewer social service cuts than Gov. Jerry Brown's plan, and relies on voters passing $9 billion in taxes, lacked transparency.

"Neither democrats or republicans know, even today, what's all in the budget, because, there haven't been days to consider it" said Nielsen.

However, some disagree.

"There were months and weeks of discussion, committee hearings, individual meetings, caucus meeting and to suggest these issues have not been vetted, discussed is just totally untrue," said Sen. Curren Price, Jr., D-Los Angeles.

Still, in a strange twist of circumstances, some republicans are relying on the democratic governor to veto the budget.

"I don't believe he's going to find merit in the budget that passed today," said Nielsen.

Republicans say democrats failed to pass a spending cap, welfare and pension reforms, and the larger reserve requested by the governor.

"The gimmicks in last year's budget didn't work, and we're paying for it this year," said Nielsen. "And what did we just do? The same thing all over again."