Local lawmaker makes news in budget standoff PACIFIC GROVE, CA (kazu) - It's the first week of August and California is still operating without a budget. All but one Senate Republicans held fast against Democrats in Sacramento refusing to approve a 103 billion dollar budget proposal last week. The budget lost by one vote Wednesday even though 15th District Republican State Senator Abel Maldonado broke ranks with his G-O-P colleagues to vote for the spending plan. Legislators are on a two week break now and Senator Maldonado, who represents the central coast, spoke with me from his home in Santa Maria California. © Copyright 2009, kazu