This report highlights selected elements of the budget framework that represent significant advancements to improve the lives of Californians with low and middle incomes — including women, immigrants, and American Indian, Asian, Black, Latinx, and Pacific Islander Californians and other Californians of color. We also highlight areas where the budget framework falls short of this goal and the work still to be done by policymakers to ensure that all Californians are able to not only survive but thrive in their communities.
Budget choices should reflect our collective values, priorities, and ideals. At the Budget Center we often pose the question: What kind of California do you want to live in? These decisions depend on budget deliberations and analyses that are fact-based and non-partisan — while also thinking about the people in our communities. The Budget Center works to make budget issues — and the state budget process itself — more accessible and easier to understand, so as to broaden participation in the debate and foster policies that work for all Californians, especially people with low and middle incomes, people of color, immigrants, women, and children.
New to the state budget process? Check out our latest First Look and A Guide to the State Budget Process.
Featured Resources
Commentary
10 Ways to Make Governor Newsom’s Proposed Budget More Equitable
Governor Gavin Newsom released the May Revision to his proposed 2021–22 state budget — also known as his “California Comeback Plan” — and much attention is being given to the number of proposals and large dollar amounts. The governor’s latest proposal and the economic position California finds itself in today are striking given the global pandemic and recession.
California’s state leaders have more than $100 billion in funds available to be invested over the current budget, and future years.
Report
First Look: Revised Budget Proposal Lays Foundation for a More Equitable California, Further Action Needed to Create Sustainable Investments
This report outlines key pieces of the 2021-22 budget proposal, with consideration for how the plan supports — or does not meet the needs of — Californians with low incomes, as well as women, Black Californians, Latinx Californians, American Indians, Pacific Islander Californians, Asian Californians, and other Californians of color.
Statement
Governor’s Revised Budget Proposal Lays Foundation for a More Equitable California, Further Action Needed to Create Ongoing Investments
The California Budget & Policy Center, a nonpartisan, data-driven organization with a focus on evaluating public policies and their effect on Californians with low and middle incomes, released the following statement from Executive Director Chris Hoene following the release of Governor Newsom’s revised 2021-22 state budget.
Report
Q&A: Why Hitting Gann Limit Now Threatens Ongoing Investments in Californians
Spending cap. Constitutional spending limit. Gann Limit. Known by many names, state leaders and Californians are taking a hard look at the constraints imposed by the 1979 measure this year, and asking if the archaic spending limit meets the ongoing needs of Californians and the state’s budget and policy priorities now.