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Governor Brown Offers Preview For Next State Budget

OAKLAND (KCBS) – Governor Jerry Brown meant what he said about keeping California's spending in-check, even though voters have approved giving him more tax money to spend.

At Tuesday's UC Regents meeting in Oakland, the governor gave a sneak preview of his thinking on the next state budget. He said he believes California has learned from past mistakes – not to waste abundance when leaner times could always just be around the corner.

KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:

So he said he will not squander the new tax revenues approved by voters in Proposition 30, invoking the Bible as he said he will call in the new budget for continuing efficiency and restraint.

"Joseph, advising the pharaoh to put the green in the greeneries and not just spend everything on the first year," he said. "And that will certainly be my guiding light as I put together the budget for this January."

There will be a deficit of close to $2 billion for the governor to close in the new spending plan.

He said he won't use the word austerity, but the budget blueprint will be lean, not extravagant.

Brown backed up his words by voting against a $50,000 raise for Cal's incoming chancellor

Even though that money will come from privately raised foundation funds, the governor said the Regents sent the wrong message by approving it.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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