Gavin Newsom loves superlatives, even when they are unwarranted, and a strong surge in state revenues gave him the opportunity last week to indulge his peculiarity. Repeatedly, the governor boasted about a $75 billion budget surplus that in combination with wad of federal pandemic aid would finance a “$100 billion...
Walters: Newsom Seeks Attention With New Budget
Gavin Newsom is, to use an old-fashioned term, a show-off, someone who constantly seeks attention with extravagant depictions of what he’s done or wants to do. Sometimes it works out —as it did when he was mayor of San Francisco and he defied state law to issue marriage licenses to...
California Is Awash in Tax Revenue and Budget Reflects It
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday proposed a $268 billion state budget that is one-third larger than the state's current spending plan, fueled by surging state tax revenues and federal stimulus money. He said the windfall that produced a $76 billion surplus provides a chance for the most populous...
Gap Returns a Favor With $1 Deal for New Fresno Animal Shelter
Three cheers for The Gap, which is returning a favor to Fresno and supporting local pets. Multiple sources at City Hall confirm that the San Francisco-based clothing retailer has agreed to sell 4.77 acres of land to the city for $1. Listen to this article: Great Teamwork at City Hall...
Newsom's Budget Plan Aids Teachers, Expands Healthcare for Those in US Illegally
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to give $20,000 stipends to teachers at high needs schools in California and extend health care to older low-income immigrants who are in the country illegally. He outlined the plans during an announcement Friday of his $222 billion state budget proposal. The Democratic governor...
Walters: Newsom Wheels and Deals on Big Issues
Gavin Newsom wasn’t born when the TV game show “Let’s Make a Deal” began its run but he’s channeling its host, Monty Hall, during the final days of his first legislative session as governor. Every few days, it seems, Newsom announces that he and legislative leaders have agreed on one...
Video: All You Need to Know About State Budget in 2 Minutes
A few things about summertime in California have become utterly predictable: cineplex superheroes, beach crowds, and a record-setting state budget. Two years ago, we told you the state’s budget hit $180 billion—and that with that money you could buy the Los Angeles Lakers 60 times over. Last summer, the state budget set...
Walters: New State Budget Has Some Big Caveats
California’s political leaders, Democrats all, are touting a new state budget that expands spending on services for the state’s poor while building reserves. That’s true, as far as it goes. However, there are some very big caveats in the $213 billion 2019-20 budget, the first by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The...
Walters: Politicians Missing in Action on Housing Shortage
When the year began, the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom had just two must-do jobs – pass a state budget and do something meaningful about the state’s chronic and corrosive shortage of housing. The budget is a slam-dunk, thanks to the state’s fat treasury. Housing, however, is a smellier kettle...
Governor Newsom Proposes $213B State Spending Plan
SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a $213 billion state budget Thursday that boosts spending on K-12 education, wildfires and homelessness while putting more money toward state reserves and debt. The revised budget is up $4.5 billion from his first proposal in January and maintains a $21.5 billion surplus, the...