NE Sacramento News

California Senate Republicans have expressed concerns over Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed $322 billion state budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The proposal, which includes $18 billion in additional spending compared to the previous year's budget, has been met with criticism from Republican lawmakers.

Senator Roger Niello, who serves as vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Budget, stated, "The governor only measures success in dollars spent, rather than how well those dollars were spent to improve the lives of Californians." He warned that without changes to current spending practices, the state's deficit could grow significantly beyond the projected $2 billion.

Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones criticized Newsom's financial strategy by saying, “Only Gavin Newsom could raid over $7 billion from our Rainy Day savings and have the audacity to call it a ‘surplus.’” Jones argued that instead of being a carefully assessed budget, it is merely a spending plan that fails to consider what is affordable. He also highlighted upcoming expenses related to rebuilding infrastructure damaged by fires in Los Angeles.

The Republicans are urging Governor Newsom to heed warnings from a nonpartisan legislative analyst about potential double-digit deficits if spending continues unchecked. Despite claims that the budget is balanced, Newsom proposes withdrawing $7.1 billion from the Rainy Day Fund for expenditure coverage.