Action clears way for final talks.
The Senate plan differs from similar proposals floated by Gov. Gray Davis and the Assembly in a variety of ways. Responding to a call by Sen. Steve Peace, the El Cajon Democrat who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, the upper house voted 27 to 11 to adopt its budget proposal. The plan, however, garnered significant opposition from Republicans for its high price tag, increases in welfare spending and shift in transportation funding. This is the era of gargantuan government. The Senate action paves the way for a budget conference committee to begin hashing out a final spending plan this week.