Calif. lawmakers race to get deals on key priorities on final day of legislative session

Calif. lawmakers race to get deals on key bills

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers have left it to the final day of their regular legislative session to grapple with key issues facing the state.

Legislative leaders were continuing to negotiate Friday for measures that would rebuild the state’s water system, reduce prison spending and mandate the most ambitious alternative energy standards in the nation.

Whether Democrats and Republicans can resolve their differences and then get the votes for their top bills is unclear.

They remain at odds, for example, over how to revamp California’s water system and how to pay for it.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he will not support water legislation without guaranteed bond money to build dams. Democrats favor imposing user fees on farmers and large water districts.