SACRAMENTO— Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D- Lakewood) announced today that the Assembly has scheduled its first Budget subcommittee hearing focused on the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Assembly Budget Subcommittee 6, chaired by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D- San Francisco), will meet on Monday, April 20, at 10:00am in Room 4202 in the State Capitol.
The hearing will include oversight and assessment of California’s COVID-19 expenditures, including the use of the emergency funds approved by the Legislature in March.
“These are unusual circumstances for the Legislature, but it is our role to oversee and ensure the efficient and effective spending of California tax dollars,” Rendon said. “Now, more than ever, it’s critical that we do so.”
“California has worked hard over the years to craft responsible budgets that built up our rainy day fund. Now that we need to dip into it, we must make sure we’re spending the money wisely because that rainy day is looking more like a rainy season, and may stretch even longer. The best way to keep tabs on our COVID-19 expenses and weather this pandemic is through robust accountability efforts. It is the responsibility of the Legislature to make sure resources are reaching all parts of the state and provide careful oversight of spending, just as our constituents at home are doing the same with their own personal budgets,” said Ting.
The Capitol will be open for attendance of this hearing. Given the statewide stay-at-home order, and guidance on physical distancing, seating will be very limited for press and for the public. All are encouraged to watch the hearing from its live stream on the Assembly’s website.
The method of participation in public testimony during this hearing will be announced closer to the hearing date, but will include an online option to support physical distancing and public health.
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