Jerry Brown Delivers His State of the State

Tonight, Governor Brown made the first State of the State speech since he was elected last year, his eighth in all, he reminded the legislature, if you count his first two terms. He lost no time in demanding that, when his proposed budget has been enacted, voters will get the chance to decide if taxes that are about to expire be extended to save public services. Cities and counties have been up in arms over Brown's proposal to shut down redevelopment agencies and use the money for other purposes. In contrast to former Governor Schwarzenegger, Brown read from notes and ad libbed after applause lines. Before tonight's speech was written, Brown told reporters it wouldn't all be bad news, and tonight he talked about the state's vast resources.