Special Session Update - November 21, 2008
The Vehicle License Fee (VLF)—a contributing factor in former Governor Gray Davis’s recall and Governor Schwarzenegger’s election—has emerged as a hot topic of special session speculation. According to the Sacramento Bee, sources involved in the “Big 5” talks have said negotiations are focused on a plan that would triple the VLF in exchange for Budget cuts and a spending cap that would require voter approval. A tripling of the VLF is said to raise about $4 billion in the current year, a considerable step towards closing the $11.2 billion current-year Budget gap.
Incoming President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) expects negotiations to continue through the weekend. Both houses have floor sessions planned for Tuesday, November 25, 2008.
—Michelle Underwood