Today, Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s revised budget announcement:
“The Governor’s revised budget proposal is unfortunately just more of the same overspending and misplaced priorities we have become accustomed to,” said Senator Valladares. “California is facing a huge $12 Billion budget deficit, and despite their efforts to blame the federal government, wildfires, and whatever else they can come up with, the responsibility lands squarely with the Governor and the Democratic Majority.
“The Governor and his team of happy spenders took a surplus of $98 billion in 2022 and overspent their way to years of deficits. Each year since was a missed opportunity to save, pay down debt, and plan for tougher years. Instead, they overspent on fruitless programs and waste,” Senator Valladares continued.
Senator Valladares, along with all Senate Republicans, submitted a budget request letter in April outlining important funding priorities. Among them, funding Prop 36, to implement the tough on crime measure that 70% of California voters approved. Newsom has chosen not to provide sufficient funding in his budget proposal to implement the will of the voters.
Over the past decade, the Democrats have doubled state spending. And what has all this spending gotten us? The Governor has overseen the spending of $27 Billion on homelessness, only to see it increase by 58%. And California is home to the highest poverty rate in the nation. California spends more on K-12 education than most states but remains near the bottom on reading and math scores. No wonder why California’s population has declined by 450,000 residents during Newsom’s time in office.
“No amount of accounting trickery or deflecting can make this budget situation ok. Californians are suffering and deserve leadership that prioritizes pragmatic solutions, not headlines or higher office aspirations,” concluded Senator Valladares.