Today, Senate Democrats pushed through the first budget bill of the year, increasing Medi-Cal spending by a staggering $11.1 billion, or 6.4%, to cover the recent expansion of full benefits to all undocumented individuals — while rejecting common-sense Republican amendments that would have better served Californians.
"Today’s vote reveals the deeply misplaced priorities of the Democratic majority,” said Senator Valladares. “While everyday Californians clearly want safer communities, better higher education opportunities, and more robust wildfire protection, Democrats chose to pour billions into an ill-advised expansion of Medi-Cal to undocumented individuals.”
Among the rejected proposals were amendments to:
- Fully fund the implementation of Proposition 36, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2024 to crack down on organized retail theft, repeat drug offenders, and fentanyl traffickers.
- Restore funding to the UC and CSU systems, which have faced steep cuts despite growing student needs.
- Hire seasonal firefighters full-time to support year-round fire suppression and fire fuel mitigation efforts amid California’s worsening wildfire crisis.
All Republican amendments were defeated on a party-line vote.
“We should be working to expand opportunities for Californians, not limit them. Cutting funding for the UC and CSU Middle Class Scholarship Program will hurt the people who are feeling the sting of the affordability crisis the most," Valladares continued.
Senator Valladares emphasized that expanding government healthcare programs for undocumented individuals at the expense of public safety, education, and disaster preparedness is a disservice to California families already burdened by high costs, rising crime, and threats from wildfire.
“Californians deserve a government that prioritizes their safety, their future, and their communities — not one that sidelines their needs for ideological agendas. My colleagues and I will continue fighting for a budget that reflects the real priorities of the people we serve,” Valladares concluded.