BAKERSFIELD, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) released the following statement on Governor Newsom’s proposed 2024-25 State Budget:

“I am committed to collaborating with the Governor to mitigate the impact of the budget deficit on Central Valley working families,” said Senator Hurtado. “I applaud the Governor for prioritizing critical investments in public safety. This budget invests $1.1 billion over four years for the safety and security of our communities, including $230 million for opioid and fentanyl interdiction and enforcement, naloxone distribution, recovery and support services; $302 million to enhance community public safety through nonprofit security grants, officer training; and $197 million to tackle gun violence. Addressing illicit financial crime is paramount for the well-being of our constituencies, as neglecting this issue could perpetuate waste, crime, and deficits. It is crucial that our collaboration extends to tackling corruption in critical infrastructure investments, as well as addressing data privacy and AI concerns within our critical infrastructure. These efforts are essential to safeguarding the well-being of California families and the state of our economy. As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, I am concerned by proposed cuts and policies that will impact small-scale farmers, ranging from mill tax alterations to cuts in family-farmer centered programs.”

The Governor’s proposed budget notes a $37.86 billion predicted shortfall, in contrast to the previously noted figure of $68 billion the state Legislative Analyst’s Office stated in December 2023.

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