Yes we have a budget, well sort of. After reaching a budget compromise early last week, a veto threat derailed that agreement, leading to a separate agreement late in the week. The governor got two changes he wanted in return for his signature. But this entire budget is balanced by leveraging borrowing from the state lottery, which must be approved by voters. If people vote no, California may be in budget shambles, again.

The governor's two amendments: Exchanging higher individual payroll withholdings for enforcement on corporations who do not pay all the taxes they owe. Fine. The second and more debatable change was the establishment of a "rainy" day fund. Three percent of the budget will be outlayed into the fund and can only be raided when projected revenues fall below projected spending. This seems to happen every year now, so why tie legislators' hands behind their backs.

So as it appears, voters must approve a significant portion of the plan. Its too late for the November ballot, delaying this crucial component until early next year, an off-year for statewide elections. And of course they must begin to negotiate a budget for the following year, continuing our budget nightmare for the foreseeable future.

At least the current compromise will fund state reimbursements for health care and child care programs as well as the salaries of state employees. And we still have our structural problems that create the conditions for this budget melodrama.

California, we need change. Courage Campaign is seeking your opinion about a potential Constitutional Convention to restructure the state's process so that government works for us rather than get in our way. Join the conversation.