Sacramento – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the statement below following Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020 budget release:
“We have made tremendous progress in moving our state forward and ensuring our economic prosperity touches as many Californians as possible. I’m excited to see that the Governor wants to continue down the same path while also taking caution, especially regarding assumptions about whether some federal funding will come through. The Governor’s fiscal priorities are again similar to those outlined in our Assembly Budget Blueprint, Embracing Progress | Securing the Future, including:
Strong reserves in the Rainy Day Fund and Resiliency Fund ($21 billion total);- One-time investments, which ensure the State keeps a structural operating surplus in future years;
- More critical funding to expand affordable housing and prevent homelessness, while also addressing the current homeless crisis;
- Investments in early education, including preschool facilities; gearing more resources to low-performing students; and continuing to make improvements in special education;
- Improved access to comprehensive behavioral health programs for those with the greatest need, including homeless individuals;
- Expanded health care coverage, making undocumented seniors over the age of 65 eligible for Medi-Cal;
- Strengthened nutrition programs at food banks, schools and higher education campuses to prevent hunger;
- Better corrections programs that focus on rehabilitation, particularly by reducing youth recidivism; and moving toward the closure of one prison, implementing previous budget action to consolidate and reduce facilities; and,
- Comprehensive climate crisis readiness programs, preventing and preparing for natural disasters and other effects of global warming.
I look forward to working with the Governor to craft another progressive, yet prudent fiscal plan that aims to benefit all Californians. Hearings will begin in a few weeks, giving the public opportunities to help us shape this proposal into a final state budget by the June 15th deadline. Together, we will invest in California’s future while also ensuring that the progress made is protected with healthy financial reserves, in case of an economic downturn.”
For more information about the Assembly Budget Blueprint, Embracing Progress | Securing the Future, please click here.
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