Governor Newsom Releases First State Budget :: Funding Proposed for Library Programs & Prison Literacy via CLA

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Library Budget

Governor Newsom Releases First State Budget

Funding proposed for library programs and prison literacy

News From the Capitol: 1.10.2019 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

At 11 a.m. this morning, Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference at the Secretary of State’s Office auditorium to present the first state Budget of his new Administration.  Governor Newsom introduced a $209 billion proposed Budget, of which $144 billion is General Fund (e.g. versus “special funds,” etc.). 

The Governor explained in detail numerous programs that were priorities for him, stating, “I want to do justice to the magnitude of the decisions.  These dollars are attached to real people and real people’s lives.” He has focused a great deal of new funding in health and human services and K-12 and higher education, including early childhood education, special education, and providing the first two years free for community college enrollees.

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“The message we are advancing here is discipline,” the Governor stated.  As such, he has dedicated a large amount of the new funding to “one-time” enhancements (must be spent in Budget year 2019-2020), rather than “ongoing” funds.

The Governor is proposing the following:

-“Online Service Systems - $1 million General Fund one-time for online systems for use by public libraries to support efficient access to resources.”

-“Lunch at the Library - $1 million General Fund one-time for library districts to develop summer meal programs for students in low-income communities.”

Additionally, libraries and literacy were woven into the Governor’s remarks in various ways today.  For example, Governor Newsom announced he was “committed to literacy in the prisons.  You will hear me talk about this [issue] this year, next year, and in the 3rd year….There is no greater return on an investment than teaching a person to read.”  Governor Newsom is providing $5.5 million for a package of programs “specifically aimed at improving literacy rates among the offender population…”

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The Governor also indicated that he would be rolling out “A Fresh Start” program for the Department of Motor Vehicles.  His Budget states that “no other state department has as many interactions with Californians as the DMV. As recent events have highlighted, DMV has significant customer service challenges.”  The document goes on to state that an audit is currently underway to see how the DMV interaction with customers can be improved, and the Governor suggested, “We will look into more field locations, and libraries, malls, etc.

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The Legislature will commence hearings on Governor’s Newsom’s Budget in late February or early March.  Governor Newsom will also produce a “May Revision” of the State Budget in May, which will feature a more accurate revenue projection, taking into account April tax receipts.  The Budget must be passed and sent to the Governor by June 15. We will keep you updated as these issues progress through the legislative process.  READ MORE >>