L.A. Now Live: Winners and losers in Gov. Brown's California budget

Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled his proposed $97.7-billion budget -- in the black after five years of crippling deficits -- and announced that he will increase funds for education and healthcare.

Times staff writer Chris Megerian will join L.A. Now Live at 9 a.m. Friday to discuss some of the highlights in Brown's plan. The governor's optimism followed an unanticipated leap in revenue that helped cancel the $1.9-billion deficit estimated only months ago, according to the administration.

And the state this year will begin to reap the benefits of tax increases he championed last year. Brown would increase overall spending by 5%, buoyed by forecasts of an improving economy and higher tax receipts.

His plan includes few of the spending cuts that have characterized recent state budgets.

"We're talking about living within our means," Brown told reporters at a Capitol news conference. "This is new. This is a breakthrough."

The governor would increase spending on schools by nearly $3 billion, including money for measures to make them more energy-efficient. Brown also would commit $350 million to expanding the state's medical program for the poor as part of President Obama's healthcare plan.