NextGen Policy Applauds Governor Newsom’s and the State Legislature’s Once-In-A-Generation Budget That Increases Access to Healthcare, Tackles the Climate Crisis, and Makes California the First State in the Nation to Provide Universal Free School Meals to Students
SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Governor Newsom signed a historic State Budget in the wake of the pandemic that will lead the state to a fool-proof economic recovery and advance game-changing investments to address social and educational inequities.
“When the COVID-19 crisis hit, long-existing inequities in our environmental, social and economic systems were exacerbated and they could no longer be addressed with short-term and short-sighted solutions.” said Arnold Sowell Jr., Executive Director of NextGen Policy. “We fought for a justice and equity-centered economic recovery plan, and are proud to witness the passage of a state budget that, among other things, prioritizes investments that increase access to healthcare, tackles the climate crisis, and establishes California as the first state in the nation to provide free, universal healthy school meals to all public school students.”
NextGen Policy looks forward to working with both the State Legislature and Governor Newsom to ensure the commitments outlined in the state budget are achieved – universal, high quality broadband connectivity; access to quality, equitable, and affordable healthcare; community informed solutions to our state’s homelessness and affordable housing problems; and urgent action on the climate crisis by prioritizing development of an equitable clean energy economy.
The mission of NextGen Policy and NextGen California is to fight for progressive policy change to address environmental, social, racial, and economic inequities in California through justice-centered legislative advocacy, grassroots partnerships, and democratic civic engagement.
###