California lawmakers sent Gov. Jerry Brown a budget plan Monday that he is not going to like. The legislative body and Brown are at odds over what to do with a surge of money coming into state coffers this year. Brown says the state needs “to prepare for the inevitable next recession” by saving money and paying down debts.

Democratic lawmakers, who don’t need Republican votes to pass a budget, say the governor’s spending plan lacks vision for reinvesting in people and communities who are still recovering from the recession. It’s a real and philosophical question of whether California should save or invest its new funds. Joining us to explain why California needs to save for the future is Fred Silva, Fiscal Analyst for California Forward. Joining us to explain why California needs to invest in the future is Scott Graves, Director of Research at the California Budget & Policy Center.

It’s a real and philosophical question of whether California should save or invest its new funds. Joining us to explain why California needs to save for the future is Fred Silva, fiscal analyst for California Forward. Joining us to explain why California needs to invest in the future is Scott Graves, director of research at the California Budget & Policy Center.

LINKS: 

• LA Times: California is flush with cash. So why the warnings to prepare for recession?
• SF Chronicle: Democratic lawmakers push Brown for more spending
• California Budget & Policy Center:  The Administration Has Underestimated General Fund Revenues by Billions in Each of the Past Three Years
• California Budget & Policy Center: Chris Hoene On The Governor's Proposed 2015-16 Budget: "Priorities Austerity At The  Expense Of Helping Ensure All Californians Share In State's Recovery