January 25, 2024
Golden State Republican Women
Janet Price, President
Submitted by the GSRW Legislative Analyst Committee
Valerie Evans, Lou Ann Flaherty and Elaine Freeman
Review of the Draft 2023/2024 $291B California Budget Governor Newsom presented representing a deficit of >$37B.
The Budget analyst, however, is saying $68 billion deficit.
According to the budget, there are $18.4 billion in budget reserves including $11.1 billion in the rainy-day fund.
Line items include:
$ 15.3 billion more to homelessness. This is over and above what has already been allocated.
Keeping California Safe Program
$ 1.1 billion over four (4) years to increase safety and security for communities including:
- $373.5 million for organized retail theft
- over $230 million on opioid and fentanyl enforcement, naloxone distribution recovery and support
- $302 million to enhance community public safety through non-profit grants, officer training
- $197 million to tackle street violence
Education
- 70% of the budget is for public education including Pre-K through 12, community colleges and state universities.
- Prop 98 for K-12 is $109.1 billion or $23,579 per pupil.
Mental Health
- $7.6 billion from various funds to implement the Behavioral Health Committee.
The Governor is hoping the ballot measure, Proposition 1, on the March ballot will pass to provide monies for mental health programs. If Proposition 1 passes, the bonds will have to be sold, which becomes a debt to the State.
California Climate Commitment
- $48.3 billion in a multi-year commitment which includes:
- $10 billion from the Federal government to implement nation-leading initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 which includes 90% clean electricity by 2035.
State departments were sent a memo last month directing departments as follows:
- Departments shall not enter into any new contracts or agreements to lease or purchase equipment, issued purchase orders for goods and services to new or existing contracts. IT equipment purchases are not allowed unless critical for IT security or a mission critical need.
YOU MAY RECALL THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS SO OUTDATED THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO ISSUE COVID CHECKS TO EVEN PRISIONERS. THIS MAY BE CONSIDERED A CRITICAL NEED.
- Fleet Vehicles can be purchased only identified as critical or emergency related.
- Office supplies must be minimal.
- Travel
State entities shall cancel all plans for non-essential travel such as seminars, conferences, and training both in-state and out of state.
This is a brief summary and overview of the budget. As bills are submitted related to implementation of the budget, they will be provided in the Capitol Update.
May 10, a big day requiring the final budget to be passed by the Legislature and must be submitted to the Governor on May 11.
The Governor needs his final budget by mid-June.
Next week: Update on Proposition 1 for March Primary ballot
024 California Presidential Primary
- The last day to register to vote for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election is February 20, 2024.
- All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election.
- Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by February 5, 2024.
- Ballot drop-off locations open on February 6, 2024.
- Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.
- Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on February 24, 2024.
- Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by March 12, 2024.
Legislative Portal links – Express your support or opposition to a bill or directly to the Legislative committee currently reviewing it (as an individual, not as a member of RW or GSRW) – click here, or the bill’s author – click here, enter your bill # and look for tab at top of the bill page labeled “Comments to Author”.
