Gov. Jerry Brown unleashed his proposed 2012-2013 budget on the state of California today at a press conference in Sacramento. He vowed to balance the state budget and start paying down debt before California goes the way of Greece and other kaput economies around the world.

He said the good news was that the California economy has recently recovered somewhat. The bad news is that the budget he’ll be presenting to the legislature spreads intense pain throughout the state.

“This is not nice stuff, but that is what it takes to balance the budget,” he said at the beginning of the press conference, before chronic buffering ruined your Lost Coast Outpost‘s video experience. 

Initial press coverage is focusing on two aspects of the governor’s plan. In the first place, he proposes to cut $1.5 billion right from state welfare programs right off the top. In the second, he’s saying that state schools and universities are going to be the ones to feel the pain if voters fail to approve a couple of tax measures that he’s planning to put on the ballot soon.

The budget contains a $4.8 billion budget shortfall that will be made up either by a half-cent sales tax and higher income taxes for the wealthy, or else by cuts to education. Voters’ choice.

Budget summary (.pdf) downloadable here. Press coverage follows.

Los Angeles Times: “Gov. Jerry Brown’s new budget plan targets schools: Public education funds would be cut by $4.8 billion if voters reject a proposed tax hike the governor hopes to place on ballot.”

Wall Street Journal: “California Plans Cuts to Close Budget Gap”

Sacramento Bee: ”Jerry Brown budget cuts $1 billion from California welfare”

Sacramento Bee: “Jerry Brown’s budget eliminates 3,000 state jobs, axes agencies”