SACRAMENTO, CA — Following the June 9 announcement of a joint legislative budget plan by leaders in the California State Senate and Assembly, the California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center), a nonpartisan research and analysis nonprofit, responded with the following statement from its executive director, Chris Hoene:
“Californians face an onslaught of threats — from the high cost of living and proposed federal funding cuts to the terror of militarized immigration enforcement. At this moment, the state budget should serve as a shield, advancing bold solutions to safeguard the health, safety, and dignity of all Californians.
“While the Legislature’s joint budget plan rejects or delays many of the governor’s harmful proposals and restores funding for housing and homelessness programs, it ultimately does not go far enough.
“The Legislature’s plan maintains some harmful cuts proposed by Governor Newsom. This includes freezing Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented adults starting in 2026 — denying health care to thousands of Californians who already face significant barriers. It also sets a dangerous precedent by imposing monthly, unaffordable premiums on undocumented immigrants with very low incomes.
“Notably, the Legislature punts on advancing meaningful revenue solutions, delaying necessary action despite the clear need. This delay could jeopardize the state’s ability to respond quickly to economic uncertainty and ongoing federal threats, and ignores the pressing needs of Californians that existed long before the current federal leadership came to power.
“We are encouraged that legislative leaders have signaled interest in revenue solutions to strengthen essential services and build a more equitable tax code — and we stand ready to work with them to turn that commitment into action.
“Making the tax system more fair by ending loopholes for corporations and the wealthy is crucial, as federal leaders are poised to further reduce taxes for the rich and most profitable corporations. Without intervention from states, these federal giveaways will lead to more dangerous cuts, an unprecedented transfer of wealth, and worsen inequality nationwide.
“As the world’s fourth largest economy, California has no excuse to leave its people behind. State legislative leaders have an obligation to protect all Californians from harmful cuts that threaten their well-being, including the governor’s budget proposals and pending federal cuts, and build a state where everyone has a real opportunity to thrive.”
# # #
About the California Budget & Policy Center:
The California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center) is a nonpartisan research and analysis nonprofit advancing public policies that expand opportunities and promote well-being for all Californians.
