SACRAMENTO, CA — In response to the California State Assembly and Senate leaders announcing a joint legislative budget plan on May 29, the California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center), a nonpartisan research and analysis nonprofit, weighed in with an X thread and the following statement from Executive Director Chris Hoene:
“Overall, the Legislature’s plan takes a more responsible approach to resolving the state’s budget deficit and, importantly, improves on the governor’s May Revision by firmly rejecting many harmful cuts to critical services. We urge Governor Newsom to join legislative leaders in ensuring that the state’s short-term budget problem doesn’t cause long-term harm to the well-being of Californians.”
Furthermore, the Budget Center emphasizes the following strengths in the Legislature’s suggested plan:
However, the Legislature’s plan misses an opportunity to advance a plan to close more state prisons, which could reduce wasteful spending by up to $1 billion per year — funds that could be redirected to support vulnerable Californians. Additionally, the plan does not include significant proposals to equitably and permanently raise revenues to invest in communities over the long term.
California is home to great wealth, and the Legislature’s plan demonstrates, in part, the abundance of options available to avoid cuts to essential services and support its residents.
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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.
