Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to present his proposed state budget for the next fiscal year today.
For the second consecutive year, the state's Legislative Analyst's office projects the state will enjoy a surplus, with a projected total $31 billion. This weekend, the governor's office released parts of his proposed budget, including a $2.7 billion package for the COVID-19 response. Of this proposal, $1.2 billion would go toward the state's testing programs. The emergency response package includes money for more testing, more vaccinations, including boosters, and support for health care professionals.
“From day one, California has taken swift and direct action to battle COVID-19 with policies that have saved tens of thousands of lives, but there’s more work to be done,” Newsom said.
“Our proposed COVID-19 Emergency Response Package will support our testing capacity, accelerate vaccination and booster efforts, support frontline workers and health care systems and battle misinformation, with a focus on the hardest-hit communities,” the governor added.