Senate Leader Atkins Statement on Governor Newsom’s 2021-22 State Budget Proposal
SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2021-22 state budget:
“The Governor’s formal budget proposal is an important marker in the California Legislature’s annual budget process, as we continue working to help Californians make it through this crisis and ensure our state’s fiscal stability. Once again I commend Governor Newsom for putting forth a responsible proposal for the Legislature to build upon.
“We are working toward early budget actions to address the most pressing needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including: renter and mom-and-pop landlord protections, getting school campuses reopened as safely as possible, assisting small businesses, and boosting economic recovery so California is poised to grow and succeed when we come out on the other side of these difficult times.
“Today, we continue to see the fruits of a decade of hard work by Democratic Legislators and Governors to craft responsible budget after responsible budget, which paid down debts and built up reserves, while protecting our priorities and reflecting California’s values. That’s why, even in the midst of this global pandemic, we are able to increase school funding to historic levels and have the resources to make billions in necessary investments to combat COVID-19 and its impacts on the budget.
“The Governor is right in pointing out that California’s economy has a stark equity problem…those of wealth are doing better than ever, but our low-income families are struggling through no fault of their own. In the budgets I’ve worked on, our focus has been jobs, jobs, jobs. That will continue. But every decision we make—including on such important priorities as housing—must also be viewed through the lens of how it makes life better for those struggling the most among us.
“I know Senate Budget Chair Nancy Skinner, the Budget Subcommittee Chairs, and all members of the committee will be working tirelessly as we move forward on the parallel tracks of early actions and an on-time final budget in June, a budget that takes responsible steps and includes meaningful improvements in the lives of Californians.”
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Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins