Assemblywoman issues statement on governor’s budget proposal
Dawn Addis.
– Governor Gavin Newsom introduced his 2024-25 state budget proposal this week. The proposal utilizes unprecedented budget reserves and other tools to close a projected $37.86 billion shortfall, according to the governor’s office.
In response to the budget proposal, Assemblywoman Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) issued the following statement:
“With the fiscal outlook of the state and the anticipated budget deficit, I applaud Governor Newsom for taking the right steps to ensure we have a balanced and measured budget. This year will require diligence and strong collaboration between the administration and the legislature to ensure we maximize our resources for all Californians. I am confident that we will make the best decisions for our state, even in uncertain and challenging times.
“I am optimistic about continued investments in healthcare, homelessness, flood management, and our commitment to California’s climate goals. As chair of the Select Committee on Serving Students with Disabilities and as a former educator, I am grateful for Governor Newsom’s prioritization of K-12 and higher education, especially for learning loss mitigation, teacher preparation, and special education. I look forward to working with my colleagues on behalf of the Central Coast this year.”
Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes large portions of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties and the south-eastern area of Santa Cruz County.
The January budget proposal maintains investments in several key areas, including:
Tackling homelessness: Governor Newsom’s multi-year $15.3 billion plan to address homelessness receives continued support. The budget proposal allocates billions, including $400 million for encampment resolution grants and $1 billion for homeless housing, assistance, and prevention program grants.
Keeping Californians safe: The budget invests $1.1 billion over four years to enhance community safety, combat organized retail theft, address opioid and fentanyl issues, enhance public safety through nonprofit security grants, officer training, and tackle gun violence.
Transforming education: Critical investments in improving student support, community schools, universal school meals, expanded learning opportunities, education workforce, and universal transitional kindergarten are maintained. K-12 and community college funding under Proposition 98 is estimated at $109.1 billion in 2024-25, with per-pupil funding totaling $23,519.
Mental health reform: The budget supports the transformation of California’s behavioral health services system, including funding for wellness coaches and the implementation of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) demonstration.
California’s climate commitment: A $48.3 billion multi-year commitment, coupled with over $10 billion from the Biden-Harris Administration, aims to implement initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, deliver 90% clean electricity by 2035, and address climate impacts.
Additional details on the January budget proposal can be found at www.ebudget.ca.gov.
