Temporary budget fixes head to Schwarzenegger’s desk

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The Assembly on Thursday passed three bills aimed at helping the state pay its bills this year.

The key measure, AB 5 8x, delays state payments to schools and other groups by just a few days -- but that will alleviate the state’s cash flow problems through the spring.

The bill passed with enough Republican support to get the 54 votes needed to move it to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk. Republicans had refused to vote for the bill earlier this week.

The Assembly’s failure to pass the bill Monday led Treasurer Bill Lockyer to delay the sale of billions of dollars worth of state bonds. Lockyer met privately with Assembly Republican leader Martin Garrick (R-Solana Beach) Wednesday and lobbied for the bill’s passage.

-- Anthony York in Sacramento