Capitol Alert: AM Alert: It's T minus one week for passing California budget

VIDEO: Dan Walters says in his latest video report that California legislators' next task is figuring out what to cut in order to resolve the state's budget deficit.

The Legislature has until next Friday to pass a state budget. The Senate and the Assembly convene next on Monday. It promises to be a long week.

Do California voters think they're up to closing the budget gap? Not according to the latest Field Poll, which doesn't find much confidence in either Gov. Jerry Brown or the Legislature on that score.

But if Brown is at odds with legislators over budget specifics, 41 percent of voters say they're more inclined to support his position, while 26 percent would side with the Legislature, the poll says.

Brown has the backing of Democratic voters, 53 percent to 20 percent, as well as "no-party-preference" voters, 41 percent to 25 percent. Republican voters, however, would side with the Legislature over the governor, 35 percent to 25 percent.

David Siders has more details in today's Bee about what voters think of Brown's and legislators' job performance. Click here to read the statistical tabulations compiled exclusively for Capitol Alert. You'll find the publicly released poll at this link.

Democratic legislative leaders and Brown have been meeting behind closed doors, as Kevin Yamamura reports in this post. Senate leader Darrell Steinberg said Thursday they're still about $2 billion apart.

CAPITOL STEPS: Members of Christians for Religious Liberty rally on the west steps at noon to protest the Obama administration's rule on health insurance plans and contraceptive coverage.

CAR SHOW: If you're into classic cars, check out the 18th annual Capitol Concours d'Elegance on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. west of the Capitol on Capitol Mall. Proceeds benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children and the California Auto Museum. Admission is $20. Click here for more information.