California budget deal approved, eliminates contentious welfare policy

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers approved a state budget Wednesday that gives liberal Democrats long-sought increases to safety net programs while socking away billions to prepare for a recession.
The $122.5 billion spending plan, negotiated by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders, earned a rebuke from Republicans, who said it sets the state on course for deficits and fails to provide money to fix California’s crumbling roads.
The budget was a