Perata on budget nighmare: 'I'm glad it's over'

SACRAMENTO -- Senate President pro Tem Don Perata said Thursday that he stands behind a new proposal that is expected to bring to an end the longest budget impasse in state history.

The Senate has scheduled a 4 p.m. Friday vote on the spending blue print.

"I am glad it's over," Perata said. "As I said before, I don't think any of us would put this on our highlight reels. It's 80 days late, and real people are getting hurt."

Perata's full press statement:

"The new proposal, discussed with the governor and legislative leaders, makes a few changes to the previously approved budget, sent to the governor on Wednesday. The plan removes provisions increasing tax withholding 10 percent on all taxpayers and providing tax amnesty and replaces them with higher penalties on corporations that significantly underreport their taxes.

I am glad it's over. As I said before, I don't think any of us would put this on our highlight reels. It's 80 days late, and real people are getting hurt.

I have agreed with the governor to make some tweaks to the budget we sent him. I'm not proud of this budget - it just kicks the can down the road. But the reality is, Democrats agreed to nearly $10 billion in tough cuts while the governor could not get a single Republican vote for the $5 billion in new revenue we need to close this gap and solve the problem.

It's time to end this stalemate and stop the suffering for the thousands of innocent Californians."