Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
Governor Gavin Newsom today presented the Legislature with his proposal for the 2021-2022 state budget, which includes $227.2 billion in funding for the immediate response to COVID-19 in support of Californians who need it most.
The budget prioritizes key actions to help California's hardest-hit families and businesses, such as $372 million to accelerate vaccine delivery in California's 58 counties, reinforcing the rapid and safe distribution approach.
It also includes a $14 billion investment for those who need it most, such as those who have lost their jobs, small businesses, plus $600 cash assistance to millions of Californians facing eviction, through the Golden State Stimulus.
In addition, it intensifies the commitment to equity in school communities, through approximately $90 billion in school funding, to address the uneven impacts of the pandemic on schools and families.
This includes $2 billion to support and accelerate the safe return of in-person instruction, $4.6 billion to help students recover from the impacts of the pandemic, and $400 million for school-based mental health services.
In terms of the actions the state has taken to support California's businesses, the budget proposes supports for businesses of all sizes, including $777.5 million for a Jobs Initiative.
"In this darkest hour of the COVID-19 pandemic, this budget will help Californians with urgent actions to address our immediate challenges and move toward our recovery," Governor Newsom said.
The budget also makes new proposals to address the affordability of health care and housing, and supports increasing the state's minimum wage to $14 per hour.
It also reflects the state's highest level of funding for K-12 schools: approximately $90 billion in total, with $85.8 billion under Prop. 98.
