State Legislature Finally Passes 2007-2008 Spending Plan
[Posted 08/23/07]

CMA and the hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers not receiving payment due to a delayed state budget were relieved Tuesday afternoon when the state Legislature finally approved a spending plan. The approval comes more than 10 weeks past the constitutional June 15 deadline and over seven weeks into the new fiscal year.

The state constitution requires that the budget be approved by a two-thirds vote in each house before it can be sent to the governor for signature. The Assembly was able to pass a budget on July 20, but the spending plan was stymied in the Senate until an agreement was reached on Tuesday.

Although the Governor is expected to sign the bill by the end of the week, it is likely he will reduce or eliminate individual appropriation items. Overturning a line item veto requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.

Stay tuned for more details on the budget as it relates to health care.

Contact: Lisa Folberg, 415/882-5176 or lfolberg@cmanet.org.