"The suspense files are where the appropriations committees send bills that would cost the state at least $50,000 in the Senate and $150,000 in the Assembly."
"We are not in a year where we can be expanding programs, developing new offices, new agencies, new departments, and expanding our footprints."
In a swift decision-making process amid California's $12 billion budget deficit, lawmakers rejected hundreds of proposals including tax credits and exemptions for service workers. The scrutiny came during a suspense file hearing, a method known for its rapid pace and limited transparency, allowing committees to dismiss bills with significant costs easily. The state's financial challenges, compounded by potential federal funding cuts, necessitated a conservative approach, as many legislators acknowledged the difficult budget environment and the unfeasibility of expanding programs this year.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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