For those of us who believe that the successful future of California lies in compromise, this is a pretty good day.

Agreement was reached this week on the state-spending plan, a whopping $131 billion dollars. For this to happen, both parties actually compromised and took tentative steps toward the center. This is dangerously close to rational and if party leaders don’t panic, maybe this newfound willingness to work together for the betterment of Californians can continue.

A sampling of remarks from those who engineered this deal…

“It’s a good budget for all Californians, and it is also a very good budget for both parties. For the Democrats and the Republicans it is a great compromise. And I am happy that we are able to be successful in that, especially in an election year when normally nothing is ever done.

Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

“Democrats are expressing our newly found fiscal conservatism,”

Democratic Senate Leader Dan Perata

“I think the process this year was probably a good one. I think everyone was reasonably happy with it.”

Republican Senate Leader Dick Ackerman

“We’re still left with a dramatic budget deficit next year and if Governor Schwarzenegger is reelected … the bloom will be off the rose: He will cut schools; he will raise tuition and fees.”

Hopelessly out-of-touch Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides