Sen. Dodd Comments on Legislative Budget Proposal

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today on the passage of the Legislature’s proposed 2023-24 budget, which improves on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spending plan by avoiding major cuts to ongoing programs, including education, wildfire prevention and public transit, while closing an anticipated shortfall without middle-class tax increases. 

“Responsible budgeting during flush times has prepared us for the boom-bust cycle that might otherwise lead to significant cuts,” Sen. Dodd said. “With this proposal we can continue to pay for the things that matter most to Californians while investing in priorities such as climate, housing and transportation. Considering the financial challenges we face, it is a sensible plan that protects our progress and puts us on track to reach agreement with Gov. Newsom on a final budget package by the end of this month.”

The Legislature’s $312 billion budget includes key improvements to Gov. Newsom’s May budget revision, which proposed delaying funding for key services to close the estimated $30 billion budget gap. Under the agreement passed by the Assembly and Senate, many of the appropriations in the Governor’s May budget revision would be maintained, while making additional enhancements. No budget reserves would be spent under the legislative proposal.

The bill, approved by both houses of the Legislature on Thursday, is the product of more than 120 public hearings and meets key Senate goals of protecting the progress of recent years and continuing the state’s responsible budgeting practices. As in years past, once an agreement with the governor is reached, amendments will be introduced before the final package is approved by all parties by the end of the month.

Highlights of the Legislature’s 2023-24 budget include:

• Schools and Community Colleges: Provides $2.1 billion increase

• Child Care: Provides $1 billion for temporary rate increases.

• Higher Education: Avoids cuts and delays to infrastructure and student housing projects by shifting costs to bonds, expands financial aid programs to provide debt free college to foster youth, and provides ongoing increases to student support programs.

• Public Transit: Provides $5.1 billion for transit across three years, with 100% flexibility for capital and operations expenses.

• Safety Net Reserve: Rejects proposed use of the Safety Net Reserve for purposes not intended for the reserve.

• Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Provides $595 million in additional GGRF funding.

• Climate and Energy: Protects key investments in Coastal Resilience and Clean Energy.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.