Armando Botello II

Yesterday, in a letter to legislative leaders, State Controller John Chiang, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and Director of Finance Ana Matosantos announced they will be deferring $2.5 billion in payments to schools and $400 million to counties.

With reform-watchers having this Friday the 13th circled on their calendars, all eyes will be on budget talks in the Legislature.

Over a month and a half past the constitutional deadline to enact a budget, only $4 billion is separating Republicans and Democrats in their negotiations. Only.