Full coverage: State budget crisis

The state’s budget cuts to the three-tiered system -- UC, Cal State and community colleges -- may threaten the system’s world-class reputation and the future of a generation of students.

With only 13 of 279 parks and beaches financially self-sustaining, officials are desperate for new sources of funding to keep some of the vulnerable ones from being closed because of budget cuts.

The governor reduces funding to programs for children’s healthcare, the elderly, and AIDS treatment and prevention. Angry Democratic leaders challenge his use of the veto in this situation.

Behind the scenes leading up to last week’s agreement -- well, it wasn’t always pretty.

Lawmakers had hoped the marathon session leading to final passage would be a triumph over legislative dysfunction. Instead, it was more like a slow-moving train wreck.

The package is short by $1.1 billion as plans to borrow local funds and expand oil drilling die. The governor says he will sign it anyway.

The controversial proposal to cut the inmate population, which is backed by a police chiefs association, is set aside until next month in an effort to pass the rest of the budget deal.

L.A. County threatens to sue, a state workers’ union considers a strike, and a GOP leader protests release of prison inmates.

The plan announced Monday night does not include previous proposals to sell the state’s share of the Coliseum and to close 80% of state parks.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to sue state lawmakers if they pursue plans to seize local redevelopment and highway taxes to cover the state budget deficit.

Students and the poor will notice the biggest changes from downscaling of the government.

The agreement revives a plan previously killed by the State Lands Commission allowing a Texas company to sink new wells off Santa Barbara — the first new drilling in state waters since 1969.

Calling for deep cuts and avoiding broad tax hikes, Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders agree on ways to close California’s $26.3-billion deficit.

CalWorks and CalGrants survive. Most parks won’t close. Cigarette tax, vehicle fee hike and oil drilling tax are not included.

Treasurer Bill Lockyer says the state could find funding sources for crucial programs cut off if its credit rating is dropped to junk status. Lawmakers and the governor vow to keep negotiating.

Changes in welfare and school funding remain obstacles in addressing $26.3-billion deficit.

If Schwarzenegger and the Legislature fail to act, others are poised to step in.

Lawmakers who had focused on fundraising now turn to unrelated legislative measures. Some blame apparent public apathy amid a string of such financial calamities.

Karen Bass says talks are ‘getting worse’ as Wall Street cuts state’s credit rating to BBB, lowest since 2004.

Supervisors suggest putting unemployed parents to work caring for their own children as part of proposed changes to CalWorks and other state government aid programs.

Officials vow to trim the budget without laying off workers or cutting programs. The reduction will be in addition to departmental cuts of 5% to 13% sought by the county’s top administrator.

California governor’s plan would dismantle or drastically curtail state programs involving healthcare, higher education, welfare, parks, AIDS treatment and counseling, and prisoner rehabilitation.