With Governor Newsom's final May Revise budget announcement imminent, Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) and Senate Republicans are calling on the Governor to use his last chance to deliver what Californians actually need: public safety, fraud prevention, and real affordability.
Senator Valladares and her colleagues submitted their budget priorities directly to the Governor - a clear roadmap he can act on today, within existing resources, if he chooses to govern instead of grandstand.
"This is the governor's last opportunity to demonstrate fiscal responsibility," said Sen Valladares. "Under his watch, General Fund spending exploded 77 percent - from $140 billion to $248 billion - while revenues only grew 62 percent. That gap is not sustainable, and Californians are paying for it."
Senate Republicans' five core budget priorities:
Public Safety — Fully fund Proposition 36, which voters passed overwhelmingly
Wildfire Prevention — Prioritize programs that protect lives and communities
Healthcare Access — Provide relief to financially distressed hospitals
Fraud Prevention — Demand accountability for rampant waste in state programs
Business Relief — Have the state repay its pandemic-era unemployment insurance debt, as every other state already has, instead of dumping it on California employers
"For years, this governor has been more focused on his presidential ambitions and social media stunts than on the families struggling to survive in this state," said Sen. Valladares. "Californians deserve a governor who governs, not one auditioning for a bigger stage on their dime."
Every one of these priorities can be funded within existing resources. No new taxes required. No gimmicks. Just leadership.
"Senate Republicans stand ready to work with the governor and Democratic leadership to deliver an honest, sustainable budget that addresses Californian’s real needs," Sen. Valladares concluded.