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 2020-21 state budget:
“Governor Newsom’s revised budget reasonably acknowledges the unprecedented challenges facing the state and Californians as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring uncertainty to our daily lives and the months ahead.
“What is clear is that every resource and tool available is needed to help Californians and the state with the urgent and widespread health and economic needs of this crisis. We absolutely agree with Governor Newsom that additional federal fiscal relief is needed to avoid cuts to vital services that support Californians who have been hit hardest by the crisis and were already struggling to live and work before the pandemic — particularly Black and Latinx Californians, women and children in low-income households, and undocumented Californians.
“Using the state’s reserves and borrowing appropriately are also crucial ways for our state leaders to manage California’s budget shortfall.”
“At the same time, the urgency of this moment requires doing significantly more than covering budget shortfalls. The ability of our governments — at all levels — to support people and communities is imperative to not only responding to the immediate crisis but also moving our state toward an economy that is inclusive of all Californians. Raising additional revenue must be considered for the state to more equitably support our communities and people now, and move California forward.”