“While I appreciate the Governor’s attempt to address the state deficit, this May Revision still does not adequately confront California’s affordability crisis and, in fact, raises taxes. Orange County families continue struggling with high costs for housing, gasoline, electricity, healthcare, and basic necessities, while the Governor continues blowing surplus funds on new costly statewide programs over tax refunds or practical relief at the gas pump for working Californians. Over the last eight years, California’s budget has grown significantly by roughly 77%, while revenues have grown only 62% over those same eight years. Sacramento’s spending habits are unsustainable.
As a member of Senate Budget Subcommittee #2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy, I remain concerned for our state’s environmental health, as well as our fiscal health. The Governor’s budget is still built on an unstable foundation of boom-and-bust budget revenues, dipping into budget reserves, and fund shifts. Orange County residents and small businesses deserve a greater focus on affordability, energy reliability, wildfire prevention, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
I do welcome Governor Newsom’s proposal to lower first year LLC filing fees, which closely mirrors my SB 347, that Democrats killed in committee. I have consistently advocated for meaningful tax relief to make California more affordable for entrepreneurs, startups, and family-owned businesses. While the Governor now recognizes the need to reduce these costs, I believe the Legislature should go further and deliver long-term relief for the small businesses that continue to drive the state’s economy. This isn’t the first time the Governor has mirrored language from one of my bills. Just last year, SB 268, which excluded disaster settlement payments from taxable income, was closely reflected in his 2025-2026 budget proposal, despite the Democrats killing it in committee.
I will continue advocating for a budget that prioritizes fiscal responsibility and investments that directly benefit local communities. California taxpayers deserve meaningful support for public safety, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and wildfire resilience, not more policies that make our state less affordable.”
Legislators will deliberate and debate the budget until June 15th, the Constitutional deadline.