Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
Governor Gavin Newsom today presented the Legislature with his proposal for the 2021-2022 state budget, which includes funding of $227.2 billion for immediate response to COVID-19 in support of Californians who need it most.
The budget prioritizes key actions to urgently assist California's hardest-hit families and businesses, for example, $372 million to accelerate vaccine delivery in California's 58 counties, reinforcing the rapid and safe delivery approach.
It also includes a $14 billion investment for those who need it most, such as those who have lost their jobs, small businesses, as well as cash assistance of $600 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 unequal impacts of the pandemic on schools and families.
The above 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 actions the state has taken to support California businesses, the budget proposes supports for businesses of all sizes, including $777.5 million for a Jobs Initiative.
"In these darkest moments of the COVID-19 pandemic, this budget will help Californians with urgent actions to address our immediate challenges and move toward our recovery," said Governor Newsom.
The budget also makes new proposals to address health care affordability and housing, and supports raising the state's minimum wage to $14 per hour.
It also reflects the state's highest level of funding for K-12 schools: for approximately $90 billion in total, with $85.8 billion under Proposition 98.
