California will restructure its welfare program and cut other social services as part of efforts to close a $15.7-billion deficit under a budget deal announced Thursday by Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders, reports the Associated Press.

Lawmakers agreed to the governor’s request to phase in a two-year time limit for new welfare recipients to find work before they risk losing benefits, half the current maximum. Mr. Brown had sought deeper cuts to welfare and other social services than those in a $92-billion budget passed by the legislature last week.

Even with the cuts, closing the budget gap will still rely on voter approval this November of higher sales taxes and increased income tax on higher earners.