California Black Media

Despite Deficit, Newsom’s Budget Guarantees Funding for Essential State Programs

Gov. Gavin Newsom presented a $291 billion spending plan to the California Legislature on Jan. 10. Despite a looming shortfall estimated at tens of billions of dollars, Newsom avoided making cuts to critical expenditures in education, public safety, curbing organized retail theft, housing for the homeless, mental health care reform, climate action, and other issues that are priorities.

Published

11 months ago

January 20, 2024

Oakland Post

California Gov. Gavin Newsom presents his 2024-25 Budget Proposal to the California Legislature at the Secretary of State office auditorium on Jan. 10, 2024. CBM Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

By Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌, California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

Gov. Gavin Newsom presented a $291 billion spending plan to the California Legislature on Jan. 10. Despite a looming shortfall estimated at tens of billions of dollars, Newsom avoided making cuts to critical expenditures in education, public safety, curbing organized retail theft, housing for the homeless, mental health care reform, climate action, and other issues that are priorities.

During his speech, delivered at the auditorium of the Secretary of State building in Sacramento, Newsom clarified that he expects the state to have a $37.9 billion deficit. That figure is considerably lower than the nearly $68 billion deficit projected last month by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO).

“Those of you who’ve been writing about a different number I hope you’re immediately correcting,” Newsom said moments into his presentation. “We’ve been pretty damn transparent with you by making the point publicly, not just privately that that was not the number, but it continues to be reported as the gospel.”

On Jan. 13, the LAO released an analysis of Newsom’s budget proposal that placed the amount of the budget deficit problem to about $58 billion, $10 billion lower than its original projection and nearly $20 million more than the Department of Finance calculations.

“Our state is in a strong position to close this shortfall while protecting key priorities and programs that millions of Californians rely on,” Newsom remained upbeat about the state’s economic forecast.

During the Q&A session after his presentation, Newsom, in response to a question posed by California Black Media stated that he took deliberate steps to safeguard programs that the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) had identified as important. They included the state’s equity multiplier funding program designed to support schools with significant numbers of socioeconomically disadvantaged children — an initiative strongly advocated by Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) — and funding for the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA.

In a statement released Jan. 11, State Controller Malia M. Cohen, who is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s resources, says that she has faith in Newsom’s projections.

“While the Governor had difficult choices to make to address the budget shortfall, I’m confident that the budget announced (Jan. 10) will keep California moving forward and continue the work necessary to support vital public health and safety programs along with other core services,” Cohen stated.

Several Republican lawmakers expressed their disapproval of Newsom’s spending plan, including Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), who called the Governor’s budget “pure fantasyland.”

Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) shared his views on Newsom’s budget proposal.

Jones stated in a Jan. 10 statement that Newsom’s plan is “year six of ‘Gavinomics’ where his budgets turn surpluses into deficits and his policies push Californians to flee.”

Calling California’s economy the “greatest wealth generator in the world,” Newsom said he is confident California will close its budget gap.

“This is a story of correction, a story of normalization after a period of a tremendous amount of distortion,” Newsom said.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

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California Takes Steps to Address Rising Homelessness Among Aging Adults

The lack of accessible and available housing, health-related behaviors, medical problems, social isolation, and limited resources are some of the root causes of homelessness and poverty among aging Californians. Speaking on own her behalf — not representing CCoA — Brown said more alternatives for affordable housing and services would provide a much-needed safety net for older adults in the state.

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2 weeks ago

December 8, 2024

Oakland Post

Shutterstock. Los Angeles, CA. USA: 2024 August 01: Homeless, unhoused people living in an encampment, temporary shelters and tents on the sidewalk.

By Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌, California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

The California Commission on Aging (CCoA) has published a Housing Policy Brief that offers recommendations for reducing housing insecurity and homelessness among older adults in California.

The brief summarizes a more in-depth report titled “Housing Those Hardest Hit: Addressing Older Adult Homelessness.” It also includes seven actionable recommendations to mitigate older adult homelessness in three settings: permanent housing, independent housing, and assisted living.

“Expanding housing capacity across all settings in the older adult continuum of care is critical as our state confronts the pressing issues of housing insecurity and homelessness among older adults,” stated CCoA Executive Director Karol Swartzlander.

“The need is urgent, and the time to act is now,” she emphasized.

The CCoA serves as the principal advocating body for older Californians, and it administers programs that support and celebrate Californians as they age. In addition, the CCoA advises the Governor and Legislature, along with state, federal, and local agencies on programs and services that affect older adults in the state.

From 2017 to 2022, the number of adults aged 55-64 who accessed homelessness services across California increased by over 90%, while the number of adults over 65 in the state, overall, increased by over 166% – exceeding any other age group, according to the report.

According to CCoa, the commission blends housing solutions within a comprehensive continuum of care, presenting policymakers with targeted strategies that accommodate the diverse housing and supportive service needs of older adults.

Efforts to address homelessness is now one of CCoA’s top priorities, says Swartzlander.

“The need is urgent, and the time to act is now,” she added.

In 1990, 11% of the homeless population was over the age of 50 while in 2023 older adults represented nearly half of the state’s homeless population. Among this population, 41% first experienced homelessness after the age of 50.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual Point-in-Time Count, 38,028 adults aged 55 and older experienced homelessness in California in 2023. Furthermore, the report stated that 41% first experienced homelessness after the age of 50.

Former Assemblymember Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino), who just completed a six-year term as chairperson of the CCoA, said there must be policies in place to “remedy the problem” of older adults becoming homeless in the state.

“We need to go back to square one and come up with some policies that would help older adults have options,” Brown said. “It’s a tragedy that these people have paid into the system (taxes, social security), and did it the right way, and they still need these services.”

In the policy brief, the CCoA presents seven recommendations to mitigate aging adult homelessness. They are exploring a statewide subsidy for older adults at-risk of homelessness; developing a state homeshare program; expanding ministerial approval for smaller assisted living facilities; reforming housing laws; expanding assisted living waivers; and funding community care suggestions.

Editorial Note: California Black Media will follow up this article with more investigations into the lived experiences of older adults impacted by the of homelessness and housing insecurity crisis in the state.