California Governor Gavin Newsom on May 13 proposed a $300.7 billion budget, which he said will provide relief from rising inflation, ensure public safety, address homelessness, transform public education, and combat climate change. The Governor’s California Blueprint includes an $18.1 billion inflation relief package that provides direct payments to help address inflation, help people pay their utility bills and rent, and reduce costs like health care and child care. Included in the budget is $660 million for funding for new police officers and mental health support for law enforcement, support for victims of sex trafficing, cracking down on internet crimes against children, and tackling the opioid crisis. Newsom also pledged $47.1 billion to tackle pollution, build climate resilient water supplies, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, ensure grid reliability and accelerate clean energy solutions, and protect communities from extreme heat. He also plans to spend $14.7 billion to get people off the street and into the services they need, focusing on mental health and substance abuse disorders, which lead to chronic homlessness. About $128.3 bullion will be spent to improve education, universal preschools, after school meals and affordable child care. ■
