California’s top Democrats are pushing back on some cuts included in Governor Gavin Newsom’s May budget revise. Legislative leaders this week released their counter proposal to Newsom’s plan to close the state’s projected multi-billion dollar deficit. Their proposal rejects cuts to college scholarships for middle-income students, public health programs, subsidized child care slots and housing development, but pushes for more cuts to prison funding. However, the proposal does align with Newsom’s strategy to minimize the use of reserve accounts next year. The plan is an agreement between Democratic leaders in the state Senate and Assembly. The legislature has until June 15th to pass a balanced budget before the start of the fiscal year on July 1st.
