California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
In summary
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders negotiated a new state budget in secret and then began the enactment process while giving the public very little time to figure out what they are doing.
When Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposed 2022-23 budget in January, he spent hours explaining its details to reporters and anyone else who wanted to watch his webcast.
Four months later, Newsom did it again when he proposed revisions to the budget.
And then the curtain fell.
The Legislature passed a placeholder budget bill to meet a June 15 constitutional deadline but everyone knew that it wasn’t the real budget, which was being negotiated behind closed doors. Everyone also knew that Newsom and legislative leaders disagreed on how a multi-billion-dollar package of rebates, tax breaks and other payments should be framed.
Finally, on Sunday night, they emerged with a deal on that and other budget issues that included two “budget bill juniors” to modify the placeholder version and more than two dozen “trailer bills” to implement the budget’s provisions but also containing an unknown number of policy decrees, some of which had little or nothing to do with the budget.
On Monday, just hours after the agreement was announced, legislative committees staged pro forma hearings on the budget deal — after giving the public, the media and affected interests almost no time to assess what was being proposed.
In stark contrast to Newsom’s lengthy dog-and-pony shows in January and May, there was no detailed presentation of the final budget’s provisions. There was just a joint statement from Newsom, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins congratulating themselves for doing a great job of spending about $300 billion.
“California’s budget addresses the state’s most pressing needs, and prioritizes getting dollars back into the pockets of millions of Californians who are grappling with global inflation and rising prices of everything from gas to groceries,” they said.
“The centerpiece of the agreement, a $17 billion inflation relief package, will offer tax refunds to millions of working Californians. Twenty-three million Californians will benefit from direct payments of up to $1,050. The package will also include a suspension of the state sales tax on diesel, and additional funds to help people pay their rent and utility bills.”
“In the face of growing economic uncertainty, this budget invests in California’s values while further filling the state’s budget reserves and building in triggers for future state spending to ensure budget stability for years to come,” Newsom, Rendon and Atkins concluded.
Newsom had proposed payments to motorists based on how many cars they owned — in theory to offset higher fuel prices — but legislative leaders wanted to concentrate relief on low- and moderate-income families. The final form of income-based payments indicates that Newsom backed down.
After leaving the bills in print for the minimum three days required by law — a law passed by voters over the opposition of Capitol politicians — the Legislature will pass and Newsom will sign the final budget just in time for the new fiscal year to begin on July 1.
Those with stakes in or curiosity about the new budget will then spend weeks trying to figure out just what it does beyond the splashy election year giveaways Newsom and legislative leaders are touting.
Learn more about legislators mentioned in this story
Asm. Anthony Rendon has taken at least
$44,387
from the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
sector since he was elected to the legislature. That represents
12%
of his total campaign contributions.
Sen. Toni Atkins has taken at least
$29,015
from the Health
sector since she was elected to the legislature. That represents
9%
of her total campaign contributions.
The secrecy and fast-track handling of the budget deal drew sharp criticism from Sen. Jim Nielsen, a Yuba City Republican who is also the vice-chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. He complained that Republicans were given the budget package too late for complete analysis before the committee voted.
“Where is the information?” Nielsen asked during the committee’s brief hearing on Monday. “What are you afraid of?” It’s a lousy way to spend the public’s money but it’s the way it is
Dan Walters has been a journalist for more than 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. He began his professional career in 1960, at age 16, at the Humboldt Times...
More by Dan Walters
Newsom, legislators fast-track state budget deal
Share this:
In summary
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders negotiated a new state budget in secret and then began the enactment process while giving the public very little time to figure out what they are doing.
When Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposed 2022-23 budget in January, he spent hours explaining its details to reporters and anyone else who wanted to watch his webcast.
Four months later, Newsom did it again when he proposed revisions to the budget.
And then the curtain fell.
The Legislature passed a placeholder budget bill to meet a June 15 constitutional deadline but everyone knew that it wasn’t the real budget, which was being negotiated behind closed doors. Everyone also knew that Newsom and legislative leaders disagreed on how a multi-billion-dollar package of rebates, tax breaks and other payments should be framed.
Finally, on Sunday night, they emerged with a deal on that and other budget issues that included two “budget bill juniors” to modify the placeholder version and more than two dozen “trailer bills” to implement the budget’s provisions but also containing an unknown number of policy decrees, some of which had little or nothing to do with the budget.
On Monday, just hours after the agreement was announced, legislative committees staged pro forma hearings on the budget deal — after giving the public, the media and affected interests almost no time to assess what was being proposed.
In stark contrast to Newsom’s lengthy dog-and-pony shows in January and May, there was no detailed presentation of the final budget’s provisions. There was just a joint statement from Newsom, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins congratulating themselves for doing a great job of spending about $300 billion.
“California’s budget addresses the state’s most pressing needs, and prioritizes getting dollars back into the pockets of millions of Californians who are grappling with global inflation and rising prices of everything from gas to groceries,” they said.
“The centerpiece of the agreement, a $17 billion inflation relief package, will offer tax refunds to millions of working Californians. Twenty-three million Californians will benefit from direct payments of up to $1,050. The package will also include a suspension of the state sales tax on diesel, and additional funds to help people pay their rent and utility bills.”
“In the face of growing economic uncertainty, this budget invests in California’s values while further filling the state’s budget reserves and building in triggers for future state spending to ensure budget stability for years to come,” Newsom, Rendon and Atkins concluded.
Newsom had proposed payments to motorists based on how many cars they owned — in theory to offset higher fuel prices — but legislative leaders wanted to concentrate relief on low- and moderate-income families. The final form of income-based payments indicates that Newsom backed down.
After leaving the bills in print for the minimum three days required by law — a law passed by voters over the opposition of Capitol politicians — the Legislature will pass and Newsom will sign the final budget just in time for the new fiscal year to begin on July 1.
Those with stakes in or curiosity about the new budget will then spend weeks trying to figure out just what it does beyond the splashy election year giveaways Newsom and legislative leaders are touting.
Learn more about legislators mentioned in this story
Anthony Rendon
State Assembly, District 62 (Lakewood)
Anthony Rendon
State Assembly, District 62 (Lakewood)
Time in office
2012—present
Background
Educator / Non-Profit Director
Contact
Email Legislator
Voter Registration
Asm. Anthony Rendon has taken at least $44,387 from the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sector since he was elected to the legislature. That represents 12% of his total campaign contributions.
Toni Atkins
State Senate, District 39 (San Diego)
Toni Atkins
State Senate, District 39 (San Diego)
Time in office
2016—present
Background
Small Businesswoman
Contact
Email Legislator
Voter Registration
Sen. Toni Atkins has taken at least $29,015 from the Health sector since she was elected to the legislature. That represents 9% of her total campaign contributions.
Jim Nielsen
Former State Senate, District 4 (Modesto)
The secrecy and fast-track handling of the budget deal drew sharp criticism from Sen. Jim Nielsen, a Yuba City Republican who is also the vice-chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. He complained that Republicans were given the budget package too late for complete analysis before the committee voted.
“Where is the information?” Nielsen asked during the committee’s brief hearing on Monday. “What are you afraid of?” It’s a lousy way to spend the public’s money but it’s the way it is
We want to hear from you
Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our submission guidelines here. Please contact CalMatters with any commentary questions: commentary@calmatters.org
Dan WaltersOpinion Columnist
Dan Walters has been a journalist for more than 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. He began his professional career in 1960, at age 16, at the Humboldt Times... More by Dan Walters