Calif. budget deficit shrinks to $1.9B with taxes, 2014 surplus projected

SACRAMENTO (AP) – The nonpartisan legislative analyst says California is facing a much smaller deficit of $1.9 billion through the end of the next fiscal year and could even see surpluses over the next few years.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office on Wednesday released a positive but cautious forecast for the state, a week after Californians approved Gov. Jerry Brown’s sales and income tax initiative.
Analyst Mac Taylor says California is at a “promising moment” that could mark the end of a decade of budget deficits. He projects a much smaller deficit of $1.9 billion for the 2013 fiscal year, compared to the $15.7 billion deficit lawmakers faced earlier this year.
The analyst’s report projects a surplus starting in 2014, thanks partly to Brown’s tax initiative, the state’s economic recovery and previous budget cuts.
Original post: http://www.news10.net/news/article/217246/2/Calif-budget-deficit-shrinks-to-19B-with-taxes-