Senate Leader Atkins, Budget Chair Skinner Applaud Final Budget Allocations Approved by Legislature
SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, released the following statements regarding the Senate’s passage of the August Budget Package, a series of bills to further delineate 2022-23 budget funding that will bolster California’s commitment to putting its wealth to work to benefit all who live in the Golden State:
Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins:
“The past few years have been so hard on many Californians, from families impacted by COVID, to communities devastated by wildfires, to workers having a harder time stretching their paycheck until the end of the month. I couldn’t look these folks in the eye if we didn’t make real progress for them this year. And we absolutely did.
"This year’s budget committed a record amount to our schools at every level, infrastructure projects statewide, and we sent money back to California taxpayers to help with the rising cost of fuel and food. The budget also includes funding to expand access to healthcare for all income-eligible Californians, regardless of age or documentation status, and invests in the safety net programs that help struggling families get back on track. And in an effort to meet the very real climate challenges we’re facing, it also directs funding to help us build on our climate goals, and double down on smart investments in a green future.
“I’m grateful for the leadership of our Senate Committee on Budget & Fiscal Review Chair Nancy Skinner, and for our budget subchairs’ tireless work, as well as the partnership of Speaker Anthony Rendon and Governor Gavin Newsom. Together, we have been able to make historic investments over the last two years that will change the trajectory of our state forever—today’s budget bills are a substantial part of that success.”
Senator Nancy Skinner:
“With today’s actions, California is accelerating the transition to zero emissions vehicles, jumpstarting renewable hydrogen, and further reducing climate-harming greenhouse gases. Housing for California’s college students also gets a $2 billion boost, and there’s Hope Savings Accounts for kids who lost parents due to COVID. Workers will also be able to rely on COVID sick leave, and we’re providing new funding to strengthen our public health response to MPX."
###
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
Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) represents the 9th Senate District, is chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and vice chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. Her website is here: https://sd09.senate.ca.gov/