Newsom unveils budget proposal

SCV legislators respond

Newly elected Gov. Gavin Newsom revealed the first budget proposal of his administration Thursday.

The $209 billion budget proposal for 2019-2020 includes provisions for increased spending in a number of areas, including Medi-Cal, wildfire safety planning and early learning programs for children, as well as a number of other education, social services and homelessness programs.

In response to the newly unveiled priorities for the Newsom administration, several Sacramento legislators, who each represent a certain portion of Santa Clarita, issued statements regarding the new budget proposal.

State Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, said in his statement he agrees with some of the provisions within the budget, but questioned how the state could afford these new programs while ignoring others.

“I applaud his attempt to think outside the box and appreciate that many of these proposals are onetime investments, but was disappointed to learn the governor has continued to fund the bullet train, rather than use those dollars on more pressing needs,” Wilk said.

In the lower house, Assemblywoman Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, said she was pleased with the governor’s decision to increase funding for things such as education and wildfire prevention, while also reiterating his commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“I look forward to future conversations with the governor to further increase base level per-pupil funding and how to better prepare for future fires,” Smith said.

Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, was unavailable for comment Thursday, but his office stated that he agreed with the sentiments expressed by Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron, REscondido, who had urged a word of caution to the governor Thursday.

“While California’s fiscal picture this year is strong, the longer-term economic outlook is less certain,” Waldron said. “Our state liabilities are substantial, so we must avoid overcommitting the state with programs that will be threatened when our economy slows.”

Negotiations between Newsom’s office and the Legislature are scheduled to continue until the June deadline.

The office of state Sen. Henry Stern, D-Canoga Park, was unavailable to comment Thursday.