Lots of afternoon news in California.

NEW BUDGET COMPROMISE, VETO AVERTED: Legislative leaders have reached an agreement with Gov. Schwarzenegger on modifications to the budget compromise. The governor won't veto as a result. Apparently, there are stronger protections to prevent untimely raids on the rainy day fund and some differences in the gimmicks used to pretend the budget is balanced. More details to come.

RECALL GOING FORWARD, IT APPEARS: Mike JImenez, the president of the prison guards' union, won re-election during a vote at the group's convention in Las Vegas today. The union also voted, by acclimation, to go forward with the recall of Schwarzenegger, albeit with a few caveats.

WHEN DO WE VOTE ON NEW MEASURES? The budget compromise looks like it will include changes that have to go before voters (among them borrowing against lottery revenues and provisions of the state rainy day fund). But it's too late to add measures to this November's ballot. Can such measures really wait until the next scheduled statewide election in the spring of 2010. This budget deal would seem to clinch a special election in 2009.

Why would the prison guards' union seek to recall Gov. Schwarzenegger? A spokesman for the union has called Schwarzenegger the worst governor ever. And the union has been fighting him since the beginning of his administration over contract, working conditions, and the union's power in the prisons.

In my reporting today, however, sources inside and outside the union offered a little more context and another explanation for the recall: the internal politics of the union, the California Correctional Peace Offircers Association. Union president Mike Jimenez is running for re-election, and he faces several challengers. They have found plenty to complain about. The union has been working without a contract since 2006, which means no raise for members. Jimenez has drawn criticism from some members for entering into talks with inmate advocates on reforms to the system. One group of dissidents, calling themselves Officers for Change, is sharply critical of Jimenez on its web site. CCPOA's membership is hardline anti-governor. Is the recall threat simply an attempt by Jimenez to win guards' support for his own re-election?

We'll likely hear more about the upcoming union elections in the days ahead.