NY Times – Negotiations between California Republican leaders and Gov. Jerry Brown on a package to close the state’s huge budget deficit — including a proposal to ask residents to vote on an extension of about $12.5 billion in taxes this June — collapsed on Tuesday with each side accusing the other of intransigence.

Mr. Brown said he had ended discussions with Republicans because they had responded to his proposals with an “ever-changing list of collateral demands,” including tax breaks for corporations that he said would increase the deficit.

Republicans said Democrats had refused what they said was a simple demand: That voters this June also be permitted to vote on a spending cap and changes in state pension formulas.

Read full story