WHAT KERN LAWMAKERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE PROPOSED 2024-25 STATE BUDGET
“Governor Newsom is the first governor in history to go from a $100 billion surplus to declaring a budget emergency in two years. He talks a lot about keeping the spending commitments made in the previous year’s budgets, but that spending spree has wasted billions of dollars on government programs with no meaningful results.
“California families deserve real accountability and an honest assessment from the governor on the state’s finances.”
— State Sen. Shannon Grove,
R-Bakersfield
“Years of out-of-control spending by the governor and the legislative Democrats have added billions of dollars of new ongoing costs. Until the governor takes control of the unsustainable spending, it is premature to tap the Rainy Day Fund.
“Instead of solving the deficit, the governor continues to wage a war on California’s energy sector causing Californians to pay higher gas prices. Water infrastructure is desperately needed, yet not a drop of new water storage has been added.
“Making splashy headlines and deflecting doesn’t solve the state’s fiscal crisis.
“It is time for the governor to heed our call for a Special Session and declare a fiscal emergency. Waiting will not absolve him of his lack of preparation, and will only cause more harm to the most vulnerable Californians.”
— Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, and vice chair of the Assembly Budget
Committee
“There is a nearly $30 billion disagreement over how much
California is in the red. The LAO says the deficit is $68 billion while the governor says it’s under $40 billion. Budgets are complicated, but when there is this much uncertainty we have to ask ourselves if we can even begin to responsibly budget.
“The Legislature will dig in to answer this question, but we should proceed with the understanding that after facing record inflation, utility rate hikes, rent and mortgage rate increases, and a skyrocketing cost of living across the board, California’s working families are not Sacramento’s piggy bank.”
— Assemblywoman Jasmeet
Bains, D-Bakersfield
“I am committed to collaborating with the governor to mitigate the impact of the budget deficit on Central Valley working families.
“I applaud the governor for prioritizing critical investments in public safety. This budget invests $1.1 billion over four years for the safety and security of our communities, including $230 million for opioid and fentanyl interdiction and enforcement, naloxone distribution, recovery and support services; $302 million to enhance community public safety through nonprofit security grants, officer training; and $197 million to tackle gun violence.
“Addressing illicit financial crime is paramount for the well-being of our constituencies, as neglecting this issue could perpetuate waste, crime, and deficits. It is crucial that our collaboration extends to tackling corruption in critical infrastructure investments, as well as addressing data privacy and AI concerns within our critical infrastructure. These efforts are essential to safeguarding the well-being of California families and the state of our economy.
“As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, I am concerned by proposed cuts and policies that will impact smallscale farmers, ranging from mill tax alterations to cuts in family-farmer centered programs.”