For Immediate Release: January 10, 2025
Contact: Tyler Bushnell, tyler.bushnell@nextgenpolicy.org

SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Newsom’s 2025-26 January budget proposal was unveiled and it calls for approximately $322.2 billion in spending across California state government.

The Governor’s budget proposal reflects his vision for California’s future – its people, economy, businesses, and workforce – with an emphasis on government accountability and efficiency. The proposed budget officially confirms that state revenues are up by about $16.5 billion from last year, meaning California’s fiscal outlook is modestly better than previously anticipated.

Specifically, the Governor has outlined funding to maintain California’s climate action and resilience efforts; better coordinate the state education systems; strengthen apprenticeship programs and the state’s jobs market; address the state’s growing food insecurity crisis; and other major investments which align closely with NextGen California’s advocacy and policy priorities.

This year, NextGen California will continue its efforts to ensure that the investments and reforms to key programs included in the budget position the state as a strong leader when it comes to progressive policy as well as prepares us for the future. With the Governor’s proposed budget now in hand and the legislative budget negotiation process looming ahead, the NextGen California team is doubling down on our work to develop and advocate for policy, budgetary, and programmatic issues that will support, protect and strengthen all communities across our great state.

Statement from NextGen California Executive Director, Arnold Sowell Jr.:
“After navigating the budget balancing challenges presented by last year’s deficit, the 2025-26 budget proposal makes important strides to keep us on track while recognizing the uncertainties ahead, especially those presented by the catastrophic wildfires in Southern California” said Arnold Sowell Jr., Executive Director of NextGen California. “I am particularly pleased to see the budget allocations for climate action and resilience, education reform, workforce and apprenticeship programs, and to tackle food insecurity.

California is a state noted for its economic leadership and forward thinking policies – we have embraced and ultimately been truly strengthened by our diversity. As 2025 unfolds, the NextGen California team will make every effort to defend the progress we have made from attacks by the incoming federal Administration. Our team remains focused and steadfast in our mission to help advance a more equitable, prosperous, and climate resilient California for all. We look forward to working with Governor Newsom, the Legislature, and our advocacy partners to build that better future for all Californians.”

Statement from NextGen California Policy Advisor, Jamie Pew:
“The catastrophic wildfires taking place in Southern California are a painful reminder of the cost of delaying climate action,” said Jamie Pew, Policy Advisor for NextGen California. “While we are grateful that Governor Newsom has proposed to maintain current funding levels for climate action, the events of the past week are a call to action: we must again increase our ambition in funding climate action and resilience. With the full scope of the damage in the Los Angeles region still coming into view, one thing is clear – the less we invest in climate action now, the more we will have to pay later.”

Statement from NextGen California Legislative Director & Policy Advisor, Samantha Seng:
“We appreciate the Governor’s proposed budget’s continued investment in sustaining key state financial aid programs,” said Samantha Seng, Legislative Director & Policy Advisor for NextGen California. “In light of possible threats from the incoming federal administration, we urge the Governor to remain vigilant and stand by students, especially those from mixed immigration status families – we must pursue opportunities to ensure that no harm is done to these students and further expand access to the state’s premiere financial aid program, Cal Grant. We are also excited to further career pathways through investments in the implementation of the Master Plan for Career Education and look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to continue progress towards making college more affordable and accessible.”

Statement from NextGen California Research & Policy Advisor, Tiffany Germain:
“We are incredibly encouraged that Governor Newsom has not only proposed increased investments for our first-in-the-nation School Meals for All program, which will serve nearly 1 billion meals, but has also proposed expanding efforts that work in tandem with universal meals such as the Kitchen Infrastructure and Training program, as well as our Farm to School Incubator Grant program,” said Tiffany Germain, Research & Policy Advisor for NextGen California. “As food insecurity remains high in our state, School Meals for All is working to meet hungry students where they are. We look forward to working with the administration and the legislature to fully fund the Healthy School Food Pathway program in order to address the long standing shortage of school food professionals and increase every student’s access to more healthy, freshly-prepared meals.”

Statement from NextGen California Program Manager & Policy Advisor, Arturo Juarez:
“We wholeheartedly agree with the Governor’s recent push for accountability, but accountability must go beyond just one issue area,” said Arturo Juarez, Program Manager & Policy Advisor for NextGen California. “When it comes to broadband, billions of state taxpayer dollars have been allocated to make internet access ubiquitous, reliable, and affordable, but there is real concern among advocates that the state’s bold “Broadband for All” initiative will fall short of its mark. The devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles County has demonstrated just how crucial and necessary access to the internet is. Not just in our everyday lives, but especially in times of crisis – it is everything. On the crux of a looming era of great uncertainty, we continue to urge the administration to work with advocates to make sure we get this right.”

Statement from NextGen California Senior Policy Advisor, Ken Spence:
“The strength of our state really lies in the potential of its people. By investing in workforce development, fostering greater collaboration among stakeholders, and implementing bold initiatives such as the Career Passport and expansion of credit for prior learning, this budget lays a foundation for creating greater job and career advancement opportunities that will empower more Californians to thrive”, said Ken Spence, Senior Policy Advisor for NextGen California. “We encourage the Administration to continue to identify additional opportunities to strengthen the workforce development and apprenticeship ecosystems, and welcome opportunities to partner with them on that effort.”

The NextGen California team would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the devastating, multiple wildfires currently ravaging Southern California. The team’s thoughts are with the residents, first responders, business owners, and every person impacted by this climate tragedy as rescue operations continue and rebuilding efforts begin to take place.

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The mission of 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.