California environmental programs face cuts in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom would pare back billions from environmental programs in the $297 billion budget he unveiled Tuesday for the state’s upcoming fiscal year.
The proposed cuts to signature initiatives reflect California’s financial challenges following years of robust surpluses. The Governor’s office projects the state will face a $22.5 billion deficit, with the potential to grow larger.
“We’re in a very volatile moment,” Newsom said during a press conference.
Recent state budgets set aside roughly $54 billion over five years to curb the effects of climate change. Tuesday’s plan calls for retaining about $48 billion of that spending.
The proposal includes reductions to incentive programs for zero emission vehicles and residential solar and energy storage. It slices money from a program that supports rail projects as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Newsom touted the state’s environmental investments, even with the cutting.
When asked about the $1.1 billion drop in money for zero emission vehicle programs over five years, Newsom said he was not concerned about it derailing the state’s ability to meet long term emissions reduction goals.
The proposal kept $8.9 billion in funding.
“I expect the private sector to step up and build the infrastructure. It’s not just the state of California,” Newsom said. “We’re jumpstarting that.”
He also expressed optimism that federal money from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could help offset cuts to environmental programs.
“We have a wait and see approach to this budget,” said Newsom, who is expected to unveil a revised proposal in May.
Still, the plan was met with frustration from some environmental groups.
“Cuts to climate and environment initiatives are penny-wise but pound-foolish,” Laura Deehan, state director for Environment California, said in an emailed statement.
“At minimum we need to protect what was already committed,” said Mary Creasman, the CEO of California Environmental Voters.
That said, Brandon Dawson, director of Sierra Club California, felt some relief after the highly-anticipated proposal was announced.
“We were totally expecting way more cuts than were made.”
Newsom’s plan does include increases in spending, notably as it relates to flooding.
It calls for more than $135 million to reduce urban flooding risks, $40.6 million to support levees and other projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and $25 million to lessen flooding threats in the Central Valley.
“It’s a tough job balancing a budget,” said Senator Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, who co-chairs the Legislature’s environmental caucus. “I’m just glad to see that these environmental issues are staying a priority for the governor even if some modest cuts are being proposed.”
After unveiling the budget plan Newsom was scheduled to travel to the state’s Central Coast, which was battered by a recent storm.
This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 1:20 PM.
