Assembly Gives Lukewarm Response to Newsom's Budget Proposal

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget got a lukewarm response from state Assembly members Tuesday during a rare "committee of the whole" hearing.

The Assembly has not convened in that way for 25 years. The process allows all members to comment on the governor's budget proposal before they must vote on a final bill. The Legislature is working with a shortened timeline after taking a long recess because of COVID-19.

Newsom’s plan attempts to close a projected $54 billion budget deficit brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers acknowledged they’ll have to make difficult choices. But there was criticism over slashes to education and the social safety net, among other things.

Assemblyman Jim Wood, D-Santa Rosa, said Newsom’s budget proposes short-term cuts that will cause long-lasting pain.

“It feels like we just dusted off the plan from the last recession and are using the same playbook," Wood said.

Newsom has proposed $14 billion worth of cuts that could be eliminated if the federal government provides more assistance to the state.

“Only the federal government has the capacity to really mitigate the most difficult reductions states and local governments are going to have to make to balance their budgets in the next several years,” said Keely Bosler, Newsom’s chief budget officer.

Read the full story from KQED's Katie Orr here.