California lawmakers respond to Newsom’s budget: ‘Good ideas shouldn’t have party lines.’

State lawmakers quickly weighed in on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed $286.4 billion 2022-23 budget, which includes a projected $45.7 billion surplus and new spending on homelessness.

“The Senate’s budget priority is to put California’s wealth to work for those who need it most — middle class families and those struggling to get by. The governor’s initial budget proposal is in line with that goal, and we are already working to ensure the final 2022-23 budget will meet the needs of the present, build for the future, and reflect the lessons of the past.”

- Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego.

“As the pandemic continues to ravage families, schools and small businesses, we will pay particular attention to supporting those still struggling as well as increased investments in affordable and homeless housing, our essential workforce, health and mental health services, education infrastructure and actions that strength California’s leadership on climate protection.”

- Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, chair of the Senate Budget Committee.

“The governor’s proposal sets the stage for continued careful implementation of last year’s bold budget initiatives and new investments in education, transportation, and climate-related infrastructure to benefit all Californians.”

- Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood.

“Transportation accounts for more than 40% of the state’s greenhouse gases. If we want to reduce these harmful emissions, we need #CleanCars now.”

Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee

“Glad to see the governor finally embrace the Republican’s call for a gas tax holiday. If he wants any other good ideas, he has my number. Good ideas shouldn’t have party lines.”

- Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita.

“(Gov. Gavin Newsom is) opening the door to a blank check providing for illegal individuals who have come to California.”

- Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, vice chair of the Senate Budget Committee

“While some of this money is going to the right places, all the funding in the world won’t make a difference if we don’t change the way it’s spent. Returning humans to the moon will be quicker and cheaper than California’s attempt to build a railroad from San Francisco to LA. If the governor really wants to turn things around in California, he needs to make government more responsive, efficient and competent — not just bigger.”

- Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron, R-Valley Center.

“Gov. Newsom and Sacramento Democrats have fallen into the false mindset that simply more spending equates to success. The mentality that success is defined by how much is spent instead of by real, measurable, and actual results is mindboggling.”

- Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Kern County, vice chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.

This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 2:50 PM.