Stay tuned: Gov. Gavin Newsom to unveil revised California budget
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
BUDGET UNKNOWNS
Gov. Gavin Newsom this morning will unveil a revised version of his administration’s budget for the upcoming year.
Let’s just say it’s not expected to be rosy.
H.D. Palmer, a Department of Finance spokesman, confirmed there will be a shortfall, but declined to say how large it will be. Still, the destructiveness of the Los Angeles-area wildfires earlier this year, the subsequent tax filing delay and concerns about a national recession have clouded the state’s outlook since Newsom’s administration announced an initial budget plan in January.
The big question is what will and won’t get funded in the quest to balance the budget. Our reporters will be following the announcement, how legislators and organizations respond and what it means for state workers.
Keep an eye out for updates!
HARRIS HAS SUPPORT
Via David Lightman ...
California voters in key voting blocs tend to like former Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a new poll from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies.
Statewide, 50% of registered voters surveyed viewed her favorably while 46% saw her unfavorably.
The online poll was of roughly 6,200 Californians who are registered to vote and was conducted in both English and Spanish.
“Voter opinions of Harris among the statewide electorate are highly partisan, with Democrats holding her in high regard and Republicans offering highly negative opinions,” said Mark DiCamillo, the director of the poll.
But he also noted that Harris’ “image is positive across many of the state’s key voting blocs, including women, voters under 30 years old and over 65 years old and people who live in the San Francisco or Los Angeles areas.
Harris is regarded as a potential 2026 gubernatorial contender in California, but has not officially decided whether she will enter the wide-open race.
Her biggest unfavorable numbers from those surveyed came from voters in parts of Northern California, at 60%, and Orange County, with 57%.
Harris fared better statewide in the poll than Newsom, 46%, former President Joe Biden, 43%, President Donald Trump, 31% and Vice President JD Vance, 28%.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“NEWSOM HAS MANDATED MORE TRAFFIC.”
— A billboard, designed and paid for by California state workers, criticizing the potential effect of the governor’s return-to-office order.
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California insurance commissioner approves State Farm emergency rate hike, via Stephen Hobbs
