PRESS STATEMENT: Governor Newsom’s 2023-24 Budget Preserves Historic Investments; Cuts Critical Climate Programs for Communities of Color
Media Contact: Ronald Simms Jr., Associate Director of Communications, 202-270-0936
LOS ANGELES, CA – Late last night, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the 2023-24 California state budget, delivering a $310 billion spending plan that protects core programs and covers a $31.5 billion budget shortfall without tapping into key reserves. In response, Catalyst California President & CEO John Kim issued the following statement:
“We applaud the Governor and legislature for coming together to create a budget that preserves historic investments in public education, health care, and early care and education. We look forward to working with this administration and legislature to ensure that the state continues to provide funding to communities hardest hit by the pandemic and historic disparities and disinvestment. While California faces strong headwinds, we will weather the storm. Our state leaders must protect the progress we have made over the last decade so that all Californians can flourish.”
“Of note is the budget’s inclusion of $300 million for high-need schools across the state. We appreciate the Governor's commitment to leverage multiple indicators for the Equity Multiplier to refine its methodology. It is critical that we continue efforts to deepen equity in LCFF and the Equity Multiplier to ensure that students from low-income households, unhoused students, and those whose parents did not graduate high school have the resources needed to thrive. We also commend efforts to diversify the education workforce and create culturally and linguistically affirming environments for students and families through the $20 million investment for the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Program and the $10 million investment for the Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative.
This budget also authorizes the development of an Alternative Methodology for provider reimbursement rates which is foundational for long-term systemic change. The investment of $2.83 billion in one-time funds for child care reimbursement increases is an important down payment in a process to fundamentally reform how early childhood programs are resourced to advance equity and address the historic underinvestment. It is critical that the state continue to increase rates and implement a multi-year plan to ensure child-care providers receive the resources that reflect the true cost of care so that children, families, and providers prosper."
“We also appreciate the $3.7 million allocated, in part, to fund the Racial Equity Commission. This funding puts us in a position to promote racial equity and address structural racism throughout our state and its government. As a member of the commission, I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to develop a statewide Racial Equity Framework that includes resources and tools to encourage racial equity and combat structural racism.
“However, the budget includes $2.9 billion in cuts to programs battling climate change. Climate investment increases are needed in places like the Central Valley and Inland Empire, where communities of color face numerous challenges due to climate-related impacts.
Our policy experts are available for comment:
- Jacky Guerrero, Director of Equity in Community Investments
- Vickie Ramos Harris, Director of Educational Equity
- Aaron Robertson, Director of Political Voice
- Chauncee Smith, Senior Manager of Reimagine Justice and Safety
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Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California) advocates for racial justice by building power and transforming public systems. We partner with communities of color, conduct innovative research, develop policies for actionable change, and shift money and power back into our communities.