Tentative Budget Deal Reached

With California facing a $42 billion shortfall in the next 18 months, just five people are negotiating a state budget with consequences that could last for a decade. Today, reports leaked from the “cone of silence” surrounding Governor Schwarzenegger, two Republicans and two Democrats who lead their parties in the Assembly and Senate. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg told reporters they've agreed on a “common framework.” Meantime, labor and environmental groups have asked Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate charges that Republicans have demanded a weakening of protections and standards as a price for their votes for the budget. Brown, who may run for Governor again, says there's a “serious question” of illegal vote trading. We get the details and hear about charges that Republicans are breaking anti-bribery laws.