California Governor Gavin Newsom recently proposed the 2020-21 state budget which aims to strike a balance with fostering economic development while aggressively addressing key issues currently threatening our state’s future. The $222 billion budget proposal highlights the state’s Rainy Day Fund Reserves at $18 billion for the FY 20-21, with an expectation for it to reach $19.4 billion.
Affordable housing and the homelessness crisis remain cornerstones of the budget, with the Governor unveiling plans to continue addressing these issues. $1.4 billion will be allocated to homeless services with an emphasis on expedited funding for emergency rental assistance and facilities to house and care for the mentally ill facing homelessness. With $4.5 billion already committed to affordable housing efforts, the budget does not offer much in new policies for housing development. However, the Governor is considering establishing a new housing and homelessness agency.
The budget also addresses issues like education, health care, and the climate with mentioned plans including:
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Establishing funding for new technology to address climate change, increasing funding for wildfire response, and the formation of a new state park.
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Providing funding for the extension of Medi-Cal to undocumented seniors over the age of 65.
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Incentivizing teaching in low income schools for a minimum of four years, improved nutrition in schools, increasing use of the state’s pre-school program for low income families, and the creation of a new state office concentrated on early childhood development.
For a more in-depth discussion on the Governor’s proposed 2020-21 budget, please visit www.ebudget.ca.gov. Just a reminder that budget development is ongoing with the deployment of funds still yet to be determined. So keep an eye out in the future so you don’t miss out on the opportunity to obtain possible funding for your jurisdiction!