Brown meets resistance on state budget plan

We'll see what the governor has to say at tonight's L.A. Chamber dinner, but earlier today he told reporters that there's been pushback even from fellow Democrats. That's not great. Critical to Brown's budget plan is asking voters in June to extend temporary tax increases on vehicles, income and sales. But in order for there to be a special election, the legislature has to clear the measure by a two-thirds majority, and so far the numbers aren't even close. Seems that state lawmakers on both sides are as intractable as ever, which is really worrisome because the deadline for a June election is March. Brown might have another option: Wording the measure in such a way as to require only a simple majority vote by the legislature. Such a move is politically dangerous on all sorts of levels, not the least of which is the loss of any possible bipartisan support. And if voters don't get a chance to consider the tax extension? Brown says it would be very ugly, though he hasn't offered specifics. I wouldn't expect too many at tonight's dinner.