Seeing as how Gavin Newsom fixed the city's lackluster job market and disabled budget during his tenure as San Francisco mayor, it should come as no surprise that the budding lieutenant governor plans on giving our state economy a much-needed antidote. Newsom will head to San Jose today to reveal intricate plans on saving California's financial crisis. How's he going to do it, you ask? With green industry jobs and gadget-making, of course. San Jose Mercury News explains: more ›

Short Answer: Yes, but nobody's happy about it. Long Answer: Democrats in the state legislature sent Jerry Brown a budget plan that closed the $9.6 billion gap last night, but it still hinges on $4 billion in revenue that may or may not come through. The plan was passed on majority-vote authority by the Democrats after a couple senators tried to hold out for a deal that didn't cut redevelopment agencies. When faced with the prospect of losing more money from their own pockets, the Calicrats pushed the deal through to Gov. Brown a few hours before midnight last night. more ›

Hot on the heels of news that San Francisco USD will be laying off 139 educators at the end of the school year, comes a report from Sacramento that over two dozen teachers were arrested at the Capitol last night after they refused to leave the building as part of a demonstration against education cuts in the state budget. California Teacher's Association President David Sanchez, who led the group, told the press he was willing to be arrested, "to let the public understand the seriousness, the state of emergency that California public schools are under right now." more ›

California park officials today announced the closure of 70 parks, including Tomales Bay, due to the state's harrowing budget deficit. Sacramento Bee reports: "Gov. Jerry Brown's January budget plan proposed reducing the state parks budget by $22 million. The Legislature in March approved $11 million in cuts to state parks and $10 million in cuts to off highway vehicle parks in the next fiscal year, with $22 million in cuts to state parks in future years." The closures are expected to happen in September. Also added to the list? The governor's mansion. more ›

The math wizards in Sacramento are reporting a $2 billion bump in tax revenue after running the numbers on those taxes you filed in April. Eager and optimistic analysts are already saying it's a good sign that things are looking up (economy-wise) around here, but Governor Brown is apparently trying to be levelheaded about it and keep the ol' moonbeam in check: A spokesman for the Department of Finance told the LATimes that Brown is "taking a very prudent and conservative approach" as he updates his budget plan. more ›

With no budget deal on the horizon, the Obama administration warned today that a federal government shutdown would spark layoffs of as many as 800,000 federal employees and "could stall tax refunds, close national parks and museums, and put tens of thousands of Californians temporarily out of work," reports the California News Service. Although there has been "progress" with budget talks today, Obama will meet again with Republican House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid at 4 p.m. PST. "It will be their second White House negotiating session in one day — the first time that has happened and an indication that pressure is intensifying to reach agreement ahead of Friday night's shutdown deadline." more ›

Much to no one's surprise, Governor Jerry Brown admitted this morning that he might not reach a budget deal by Thursday, "his self-imposed 60-day deadline," even though floor votes in the Legislature are expected this week. Why? Well, according to Sacto Bee, the GOP has been threatening lawmakers. Brown allegedly fears "some Republicans who might be willing to support putting tax extensions on the ballot have been threatened with reprisals from within the GOP." [Sacto Bee] more ›

For his third executive order since taking office in January, Governor Jerry Brown has ordered all state agencies to "freeze hiring" in an effort to reduce further spending. "We have a $25 billion deficit, and we must do everything possible to save money and make government leaner and more efficient," Brown said in a statement. more ›

FunCheapSF, the site that's always got your back in terms of monetary concerns, is hooking you up with a handy list of sweet half-price ticket deals for a variety of SF Sketchfest shows via Goldstar. Some of the shows on the list are already sold out, but tickets are still available for two Dr. God Improv shows tonight. Tomorrow is Billy the Mime and Brett Gelman’s Human Garbage and Bob’s Burgers Preunion. Plus, more on Sunday and in the coming weeks. Check out Goldstar's full list of deals for yourself. [Via FunCheapSF] more ›

Call him Governor Viola Swamp if you must, because Jerry Brown just ordered an astounding 48,000 government-paid cell phones - that's around half of those used by government employees - be returned by June 1. Hrumph. Yes, the texting party is over for an estimated 96,000 cell phone users whose bills are fronted by state taxpayers. more ›

"What I propose will be painful," Governor Jerry Brown said to reporters at the Capitol after unveiling a budget proposal that, among other things, will include an 8 percent to 10 percent cut in state worker pay. Brown, according to reports, wants to save "$308 million for a 10 percent reduction in take-home pay for state employees not currently covered under collective bargaining agreements." more ›

This should go over swimmingly with some San Franciscans. Looking to fill Muni's $21 million budget shortfall, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency officials plan on ticketing divers more in 2011. Yes, in lieu of raising fares (at least for now), "[t]he agency plans to redeploy parking control officers to better capture meter revenue and issue citations." more ›

California lawmakers approved "the tardiest budget in state history this morning" after an epic session at the Capitol this morning. "The $87.5 billion spending plan relies on rosy assumptions about revenues from taxpayers and the federal government, as well as reductions to state worker pay, prisons, and social services," reports the Sacramento Bee. "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expects to sign it as soon as today, enacting the final budget of his gubernatorial career." more ›

And in useless news today, the Board of Supervisors is "in limbo" about whether or not to reject Muni's latest budget, even though this amounts to a "largely symbolic" vote on the part of the Supes, i.e. a political middle finger in the direction of the MTA. You see, the city is obligated by voter mandate to fund Muni, so whether or not the union accepts the mayor's negotiated concessions, they'll get their money anyway. Board President David Chiu threatens to reject the budget if Muni refuses to restore service cuts by fall, the result of which would just be the Supervisors sitting and pouting and refusing to transfer $7M in tax revenue into Muni's accounts, even though they have to. [Chron] more ›

While no where near as entertaining as a Kelly Bensimon disco dust-fueled verbal miscarriage, it's almost as important. Watch Mayor Newsom reveal his San Francisco budget proposal, before it goes to the Board of Supervisors, live on SFGTV at 3:30 p.m. today. more ›

At around 3:30 p.m. today, Mayor Newsom will reveal his plan to save San Francisco from financial ruins. (Or not.) The Gav will unveil his budget proposal, which will include, among other things, no new tax increases. Once unleashed, the proposal will go before the Board of Supervisors for copious amounts of hand-wringing and caterwauling. more ›

Melissa Griffin brings our attention to these festive and timely shirts You like? (The Carl/Cole one is especially genius.) It could be the perfect gift for your loved blowing their lid after reading this story about charging for Muni transfers. more ›

In an effort to generate anywhere from $2 to $3 million a year, Mayor Gavin Newsom says he's warming up to the idea of citywide Sunday meters. Right now only waterfront and Embarcadero meters operate on Sundays. more ›

The MTA is proposing cuts to every Muni line in an effort to close a plus-sized $16.9 million budget gap. What's more, and you might want to grab a nearby trashcan to use as a makeshift airsick bag before you read this, they're proposing a jarring fee hike to ride the USEFUL and CONVENIENT historic streetcars that zip along Market Street more ›

According to KCBS, "[a] new austerity mandate has come down from Mayor Gavin Newsom." And it's pretty grim. Then again, what isn't in these dastardly economic times? more ›

California prison guards forced to take unpaid leave days came out victorious today as an Alameda Superior Court judge ruled the furloughs illegal, SacBee reports. In their March court filing, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association maintained that it would be impossible for "every employee to utilize the 34 deferred furlough days each will accrue during the time allotted" as prisons are already understaffed, says SacBee. more ›

The sweet scriubes over at Streetsblog posted a might fine article on how San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, allegedly, "has been quietly pressuring MTA Chief Nat Ford to delay or prevent proposals to extend parking meter hours on weeknights and Sundays, despite a looming mid-year MTA budget deficit and studies that show it's good policy." more ›

Ahem. @GavinNewsom: "Just signed SF's [$6.6 Billion] budget. Worked w/ colleagues to increase funding for univ health care program, protect jobs for teachers, police + fire." The budget also "prevented the closure" of Newsom's non-environmental pet project, the Community Hall of Justice Center, or whatever that Night Court-like Tenderloin thing is called. Read more about today's budget signing here. more ›

California State Parks director Ruth Coleman said that the agency faces a total of about $39 million in cuts after the new budget, which directly states a $14.2 million cut, was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today. Additionally, $2.4 million was siphoned from a cigarette tax fund because less people are smoking. Furloughs and salary cuts round out the large number (Note: a full budget fact sheet is embedded below). more ›

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger finally signed California's budget today, making additional cuts to fill a $1.1 billion gap left by legislators in their approved package. An additional $6.2 million was cut from state parks after an $8 million cut was proposed last week. That makes a total of $14.2 million, a number the Schwarzenegger's office predicts "will result in the closure of probably more than 100 parks." more ›

Oversized wristwatch connoisseur, former Hollywood thespian, and Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has some news: "@Schwarzenegger: Budget passed. Thanks to the legislature for the hard work last night and today. Plan to sign next week." But wait, there's more! "@Schwarzenegger: I will be going live @ www.gov.ca.gov in a few minutes to discuss the budget. Tune in!" more ›

by Chris Jones more ›

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and your legislative leaders came to a tentative agreement this evening to (finally!) "balance California's $26 billion deficit by cutting broadly across state government, shifting costs into the future and capturing funds from cities and counties." According to goes on to explain, "includes spending cuts to programs ranging from schools to welfare-to-work to prisons. It takes money from local governments, including borrowing $2 billion that the state will repay starting in 2013 and taking gas taxes that normally go toward local road projects." By the numbers: 6 billion in cuts to education, 3 billion slashed to higher education, and 1.2 billion pruned from prisons. (Cuts to prison funding, however, will not mean that prisoners would get released early.) Some things that were spared? Cal Grants and most state parks. Please standby for fallout. more ›

Sadly, the answer could be no. SFAppeal has a phenomenal video that highlights the declining bison population of San Francisco. Although only five of them remain in the city today, "the bison recently returned to a new, $1.2 million dollar improved paddock in Golden Gate Park." Which is good news, right? But with the city budget getting slashed to bits, their maintenance could prove hazardous to their survival. Be sure to check out this heart-warming and unique look at the city that many of you, and a few furry fellas, call home. more ›

Scene from yesterday's budget rally to, like, help save public health. Read more about it over at SFBG. more ›