Senate approves 2001-2002 budget

Alex Coolman

GLENDALE -- The California Senate approved the 2001-2002 budget early

Sunday morning, leaving intact a quarter-cent sales-tax increase that

local legislators hope will fund projects in this area.

Hilary McLean, a spokeswoman for Gov. Gray Davis, said the Senate

passed approved the new budget at about 1 a.m. Sunday, leaving in the

sales tax increase.

The assembly must approve budget trailer bills before Davis can sign

off on the final funding package. McLean said it was difficult to be sure

how long that would take.

"They could do it in one day, and then we'll have the budget signed

before the week is out," she said.