Just a few years ago, California had a huge budget a record high surplusInspiring the creation of a number of programs that reflected the liberal ideals of the state.
Democrats who control the state Capitol funded pilots to test new ways to boost youth empowerment, help oil workers transition to clean industries, and prevent more Californians from becoming homeless — just a few ambitious ideas. Which became reality after the budget was over.
Now, as the state faces a massive budget deficit, which the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office predicted in February could reach $73 billion, some of those programs could come to an abrupt halt.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers are considering significant cuts to some of the initiatives he recently helped launch while promising to “protect our progress.”
It’s a reflection of California’s wild budget swings and what can happen in a one-party state known as a progressive policy trailblazer when fiscal times are good.
For Republicans, it’s an “I told you so” moment.
“The surpluses were absolutely extraordinary. Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks), vice chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said he should have put more money into the budgetary reserve than he did.
Newsom’s budget last year included a record $38 billion in reserves, but for minority party hawks like Niello, more could be kept in exchange for creating expensive new programs.
“Let’s not get too crazy about this huge revenue raise,” Niello said, adding that this is the approach Democrats should have taken.
Organizations like the California Budget Policy Center, which advocates for policies that benefit low-income residents and curb inequities, argue that there is nothing wrong with trying new ideas when the money is there.
“The state needs these opportunities to experiment and practice innovation because you can improve efficiency and effectiveness during that period of time,” said Chris Hoene, executive director of the center. “The deficit is forcing them to scale back a significant portion of the programs, but … if there is a better revenue period ahead, they have said they will continue those investments.”
HD Palmer, a spokesman for Newsom’s Treasury Department, said reducing or completely eliminating new programs that are still being tested is better than eliminating long-established programs that Californians rely on.
“These are clearly proposals that will not be put forward (it is) not due to the fact that we have a substantial shortfall,” Palmer said. “It is understandable that people would object to these proposals. The question is, if you choose not to take these measures, what alternatives would people want to put forward that would give us similar savings to make up the shortfall?
Sen dave min (D-Irvine) put it more bluntly during a legislative budget meeting held at the Capitol last week: “I’ll be honest, it sucks.”
Newsom signed it into law this week a budget agreement The deal, struck with lawmakers, would reduce the deficit by $17 billion, though it is only a first step toward closing a growing gap in the state’s spending plan.
As negotiations continue until the June 15 deadline for lawmakers to pass a budget, here are some of the pilot programs Newsom has suggested reducing or eliminating:
Assistance for public defenders and eligible prisoners
Prisoners who are not able to pay private attorneys and are eligible to have their sentences reduced could potentially remain behind bars longer due to the proposed funding cuts.
In 2021, a public defense pilot program was created to help attorneys deal with the backlog of cases involving prisoners previously eligible for release under the state’s latest release. Progressive outrage law.
Under the program, county public defender offices have received $100 million, which collectively has helped more than 8,000 people for free in the first six months of the program, according to the California Board of State and Community Corrections. Many of those beneficiaries were charged with murder because they were involved in a crime that caused death, even if they were not the actual killers — a remnant of a law that California overturned in 2019.
The program now faces a $40 million cut — a move supporters say could render some of California’s angered laws useless because understaffed and overburdened offices won’t be able to adequately assist eligible people.
A representative for Newsom said the funding awarded so far “still provides data to evaluate the outcomes” of the program. But Los Angeles County Public Defender Ricardo Garcia says it would hinder the state’s efforts to “right some of the wrongs of the past.”
According to Garcia, in Los Angeles County, more than 100 inmates have been released because of the program, representing a total of 685 fewer years of potential imprisonment. The program has allowed Garcia’s office to hire more public defenders, social workers and support staff as they represent the more than 800 eligible clients awaiting arraignment.
“Having all these laws … isn’t very helpful if we don’t have the resources to enforce them and actually make them effective,” Garcia said.
Help for struggling foster children
Since 2019, thousands of foster children – and some of their caregivers – have been able to call a 24/7 hotline for help with everyday struggles and receive expert support.
The immediate response system was prompted by concerns about “placement disruptions” that could lead to instability and possibly homelessness for already vulnerable youth.
According to state data, the hotline serves about 5,000 foster children and caregivers annually.
Child welfare advocates are calling on the governor and lawmakers to reconsider a proposed $30 million cut — a cut they say would lead to the program being shut down entirely.
According to statistics, foster placement transitions have decreased by 16% in California since the launch of the hotline, and advocates say that’s no coincidence.
Ted Lempert, president of Children Now, said, “We believe that cutting it would have serious negative consequences for foster children, including increased hospitalizations and criminalization.”
funding for low income housing
According to the Community LandTrust Network, in 2023 alone, more than 100,000 Californians may have to relocate because homeowners fell behind on their bills.
The Foreclosure Intervention Housing Preservation Program was started as a way to prevent tenant displacement. It provides grants to residents and nonprofits to purchase properties at risk of foreclosure and keep them available as homes for low-income people.
Supporters of the program called it an “unprecedented” solution to the state’s homeless crisis because it allows at-risk tenants to stay where they are instead of potentially being forced onto the streets or into shelters.
Newsom proposed cuts The program has a provision of $248 million over three years – almost half of its total budget. Advocates are urging him to change his mind, as the funds have not yet been distributed.
“The need for the program is great and both the (California Department of Housing and Community Development) and other key stakeholders have poured a lot of resources into this pioneering housing strategy,” the Community LandTrust Network said in a statement.
A series of climate friendly programs
Low-income Californians are most at risk of having their homes destroyed by wildfires, and oil and gas workers at risk of losing their jobs are among those feeling the brunt of climate programs now on the chopping block. Can.
Funding cuts are proposed for home hardening initiativea program that helps workers find new jobs as states move away from fossil fuels, and a program that promotes composting in local governments.
Proposed Environmental activists are worried about the cuts, Even though the budget draft provides for billions of investments to curb climate change, California is considered an international leader on the issue.
“The state needs to accelerate its preparation efforts, not step back — especially in vulnerable and under-resourced communities,” said Zack Cefalu, legislative affairs analyst for the California Cities League.
