(SACRAMENTO) — Last night, the California State Legislature passed a $131 billion state budget.  The budget was passed before the new fiscal year which is set to begin on July 1, 2006. Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) said, "I could not support this budget as I found the out-year deficits unsettling and believe we need to pay down more of the state’s structural deficit."

 

"However I am pleased that Republicans were successful in ensuring that no taxpayer funded health insurance benefits for illegal aliens was funded in this budget.  We also fought for increased equalization funding for schools and restoration of critical public safety funding. My concern with this budget is the future year deficits as I believe it is important to balance our budget."