Brown signs budget without a veto

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown signed a $125 billion state budget Tuesday, stamping his official approval on a package of bills his office negotiated with Democratic leaders and then ushered through a Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Brown signed the budget without a news conference or a single line-item veto. This was the second consecutive year that Brown did not use his authority to change the budget passed by the Legislature. Prior to that, the last time a governor did not veto a single item in the state budget was the 1982-83 budget, when Brown was governor as well.

“California is taking decisive action by enacting a balanced state budget,” Brown said in a statement. “This budget provides money to repair our roads and bridges, pay down debt, invest in schools, fund the earned income tax credit and provide Medi-Cal health care for millions of Californians.”

The $125 billion general fund budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is the largest in state history, increasing from the current year’s $122.3 billion budget. The state’s general fund pays for basic state services such as education, prisons and socialservice programs, and it takes effect July 1.

The new budget increases tax credits for the poor, puts billions more toward education and increases payments for doctors and dentists who see Medi-Cal patients, the state’s Medicaid program for the poor. The budget also strips University of California President Janet Napolitano’s office of some of its financial autonomy and guts the authority of the elected Board of Equalization.

In addition, the budget adds $1.8 billion to the state’s budget reserve, bringing the total reserve to $8.5 billion.