Sen. Dodd Responds to Gov. Newsom’s 2024 Budget

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today upon the release of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-25 budget, which invests in essential services such as schools, public safety and affordable housing production while addressing an expected shortfall.

“It’s a lot less fun to deal with a deficit than a surplus but we’ve planned ahead for this and we will get through it,” said Sen. Dodd. “We will continue to fund essential services while living within our means. It’s what our constituents have to do with their personal budgets and that is what we will do too. Gov. Newsom’s proposal represents a responsible starting point, and I’ll be working with my colleagues over the next six months to craft a final budget that reflects our needs and values.” 

Gov. Newsom’s $291.5 billion budget includes a $37.86 billion shortfall caused by anticipated revenue declines. The governor proposes a combination of borrowing from reserves, funding reductions and deferrals to close the budget gap. Highlights of the 2024-25 budget include:

• $18.4 billion in total reserves
• $109.1 billion for TK-16 and higher education: includes a total $23,519 per-pupil investment.
• $13.3 billion for learning recovery and loss mitigation
• $1.8 billion ongoing for universal transitional kindergarten
• $15.3 billion over four years in homelessness reduction programs
• $2.1 billion in higher education student housing
• $58 billion on climate protection initiatives
• $2.7 billion ongoing in wildfire prevention and forest resilience including vegetation management, fuel breaks and the addition of seven, new C-130 firefighting aircraft
• $7.3 billion in water supply improvements and drought management
• $4.2 billion in small business grants and tax credits
• $29.6 million to Delta flood risk reduction
• $4 billion continuing in affordable housing development
• $1.1 billion in public safety including additional investments in retail theft prosecution and opioid and fentanyl abuse reduction
• It also makes investments in the district, such as the Glen Ellen Cal Fire station and Yolo Bypass Flood improvements.

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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.