For Immediate Release: Monday, January 10, 2022
Contact: Milena Paez, milena.paez@nextgenpolicy.org

Governor Newsom’s Budget Plan Confronts Some of California’s Most Urgent Crises, Including Addressing Climate Change, COVID-19, Housing, Education 

NextGen Policy Experts Arnold Sowell Jr. and David Weiskopf respond to the Governor’s 2022-2023 State Budget Proposal

SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Newsom unveiled his 2022-2023 state budget proposal. Also, emphasizing that California, for the second year in a row, has amassed a historic budget surplus – almost $21 billion in discretionary dollars. NextGen Policy applauds the Governor and his team for focusing this year’s budget proposal on the critical issues of climate change, homelessness, health care, public safety, education, as well as food and economic security. 

Statement from Arnold Sowell Jr., Executive Director of NextGen Policy:

“California’s state budget is the most effective and immediate tool we have to address the many challenges facing our state. As we remain in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, long-existing social and economic inequalities have deepened and continue to plague our most vulnerable communities,” Sowell said.  “And the Governor’s budget proposal rightfully includes, among other things, significant investments to confront the COVID-19 public health crisis by allocating $1.3 billion to continue to address the pandemic and $2.7 billion to expand Medi-Cal access to all undocumented persons; a $2 billion commitment to address homelessness which includes mental health assistance;  tackling the climate crisis by prioritizing an overall $10 billion dollar investment into clean transportation initiatives; and focusing $10 million for student loan borrower assistance.”  

Statement from David Weiskopf, Senior Policy Advisor of NextGen Policy:

“It is heartening to see Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget build on last year’s first steps towards an ‘all of government’ approach to climate,” Weiskopf said. “We are in the midst of an escalating climate emergency that puts 100% of our state at risk. We must create a 100% climate-aligned state government. That means every agency, every action, and every appropriate budget dollar must act in a climate-consistent manner. NextGen will be there every step of the way to help make sure that the final budget package does just that.”

NextGen Policy is committed to working with the Newsom Administration, the State Legislature, and our various coalition partners to ensure these investments prioritize equity and justice and serve our most marginalized and vulnerable community members. Now, during our second year of historic budget surplus, California has the unique opportunity to truly raise the bar on progress by making bold investments to advance a more prosperous and sustainable future for all. 

The mission of NextGen Policy and NextGen California is to fight for progressive policy change to address environmental, social, racial, gender, and economic inequities in California through justice-centered legislative advocacy, grassroots partnerships, and democratic civic engagement. 

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Download the statement here