Golden State Today

SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, and Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas have come to an agreement to address the budget gap in California. The leaders have agreed on budget solutions worth $12 to $18 billion to tackle the shortfall.

Governor Newsom expressed his gratitude towards the leadership in the Assembly and Senate, stating, “Thanks to leadership in the Assembly and Senate, California is stepping up with a balanced approach that will take a significant chunk out of the projected shortfall. Despite the uncertainty due to the federal tax deadline delay last year, historic reserves and fiscal responsibility will assure a balanced budget that meets California’s needs.”

Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire emphasized the seriousness of the deficit and the need for swift action, saying, “The deficit is serious and it’s grown by billions since January, which is why we must move with speed to shrink the shortfall immediately. The quicker we make tough decisions, the better prepared we’ll be to continue our work on a comprehensive budget to protect our progress.”

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas highlighted the commitment of the Assembly to a transparent budget process that protects Californians, stating, “The Assembly is committed to a deliberative, transparent budget process that protects hard-working Californians. I appreciate our partnership with Governor Newsom and Pro Tem McGuire to finalize this preliminary and initial budget package in early April, which is an important first step.”

The agreement reached by the California leaders signifies a collaborative effort to address the budget gap and make tough decisions to ensure the state's financial stability.