June Deadline
The deadline to have the new state budget passed is June 15, and the budget has gone through many proposals and revisions amidst a reported historic budget deficit looming for California.
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In December, the Los Angeles Analyst’s office estimated that California would be facing a $68 billion deficit ”largely as a result of a severe revenue decline in 2022‑23.”
Latest Efforts
Earlier this month, Gavin Newsom revealed a revised budget plan proposal, which the legislature’s budget analyst Gabe Petek gave a thumbs up for its realistic approach.
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“The May revision puts the state on better fiscal footing and makes substantial progress toward structural balance,” said Petek’s office.
Pressure From Allies
In addition to the usual chorus of disapproval levied against Newsom by his critics, traditional allies of the governor have also come out against the latest budget proposal.
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This week, the California Teachers Association (CTA), a powerful force in Democrat politics, unleashed an attack ad criticizing the governor for making cuts to schools.
Lawsuit Threats
In addition to putting public pressure on Newsom, the CTA threatened to pursue legal action with the backing of teachers in the school system.
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CTA President David Goldberg called Newsom’s budget “an outright assault on public school funding” and said that it would “wreak havoc for years to come.” The CTA asserts the revised budget plan is unconstitutional.
Coming to a Deal
The pressure campaign by the CTA seems to have worked on this front as the group claims to have made a deal with Newsom on public school funding.
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“Fortunately, we came to an agreement with the Governor. The agreement reached with the Governor to protect public school funding is a critical step forward for California’s schools and communities. It ensures that students, educators and families aren’t impacted by cuts to the classroom this year while protecting future year education funding. This agreement is also “fiscally neutral” and will not negatively impact other areas of the budget including healthcare and social services,” said the CTA on their website.
Newsom on the Agreement
Newsom made a statement praising the deal, saying he was glad the budget got feedback from California’s teachers.
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“This agreement is a smart and balanced policy solution that incorporates feedback from California’s educators,” Newsom said. “Working together, we are protecting California’s students, families, and educators and putting the state on a fiscally sound and sustainable path.”
One Down Many to Go
Although the deal on education has now been completed after a high-profile feud, Calmatters reports there are still deals to be reached with at least dozens of interest groups that will be affected by spending cuts.
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On Tuesday, healthcare and civil rights groups held a press conference decrying Newsom cutting $94.7 million in services for elderly or disabled undocumented immigrants.
Coalition Conference
In the press conference, the coalition of groups rejected the notion that the budget needs to be balanced by hurting poor Californians.
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“It is unacceptable to balance the state’s budget on the backs of the poorest and most vulnerable Californians,” the coalition said. “Rather than eliminating programs that impact the state’s poorest residents, the advocates will urge the Legislature to consider more progressive solutions to ensure California has the resources needed to care for the most vulnerable Californians.”
Intense Pressure
Governor Newsom is facing high pressure from even his own party, leading to bickering and criticism from various groups on all sides.
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“Multiply that criticism by 100 or more and it’s the kind of pressure being placed on Newsom and a left-leaning Legislature,” wrote Dan Walters of CalMatters.
Ballot Measures
In addition to the state’s government budget deadline looming large, there is also a deadline fast approaching for ballot measures to be finalized ahead of the general election in November.
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Newsom and members of the legislature are waiting on the Supreme Court to decide on whether to block a measure that would put restrictions on new taxes amid fear around “wealth taxes” and other similar measures supported by Democrats.
Proposition 47 Overhaul
The legislature is also considering measures to combat a rise in crime seen in California cities in videos of “smash-and-grabs.”
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In 2014, a ballot measure called Proposition 47 lowered penalties for petty theft crimes, which some argue has enabled the recent surge in large and small retailer thefts.