California gov. declares fiscal emergency

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a fiscal emergency Thursday, resetting a 45-day deadline for legislative action, a Department of Finance spokesman said.

Department of Finance spokesman H.D. Palmer said the action creates breathing room for the governor to seek a budget deal by March, The Sacramento Bee reported.

Outgoing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency Dec. 6 but lawmakers ignored it, preferring to wait for Brown's budget. Brown was sworn in as governor Jan. 3.