California voters reject budget crisis measures

Full Story At  CNN.com

Californians in Tuesday’s special election voted down five of six propositions aimed at closing the state’s budget deficit, according to partial returns. State leaders conceded defeat based on those returns.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had said that, if the propositions failed, he would have to make drastic cuts to education and health care, and would probably free many inmates from the state prison system.

With all six measures defeated, the deficit would surge to $21.3 billion, Schwarzenegger’s office said last week. Even if all the measures passed, the deficit would hit $15.4 billion at the start of the new fiscal year in July.

Schwarzenegger spoke about the apparent defeat late Tuesday.