Gov. Brown Wants $8.3B in Cuts

California Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed $8.3 billion in spending cuts for the Golden State in order to deal with an estimated $15.7 billion shortfall. Brown’s proposal would include cuts to pay for state employees and spending on social programs. He also suggested a 16 percent increase in funding for public schools, but those are contingent on voters approving increases to sales and income taxes. Otherwise, the state will have to impose another $6 billion of cuts on public schools. “The fact is, California has been living beyond its means … This is a day of reckoning, and we have to take the medicine,” Brown said.