Sacramento– Today, Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Porterville) issued the following comments on the Governor’s proposed budget for 2022-2023:
“It is apparent that this budget is the embodiment of the unaffordability of California,” said Mathis. “For the past few budget cycles, the State has posted record surpluses, even despite the devastation wrought upon the economy by the COVID pandemic. Today, the Governor announced billions in new spending, most of which will require ongoing funding obligations. Assuming these surpluses are finite, I’m concerned that the state will become far more unaffordable for working families.”
The 2022-2023 budget contains roughly $213 billion in General Fund spending, an increase of over $17 billion from 2021-2022.
“While there are many areas of commendable spending within the Governor’s proposed budget, I’m frustrated with the spend, spend, spend approach taken within this and previous budgets,” said Mathis. “In order to make California an affordable place to live for our working families, the State must do a far better job of analyzing the successes of our spending, rather than just dumping more money into critical issues.”
The 2022-2023 budget contains a proposal to direct $1.7 billion in workforce development funds to Health and Human Services professions.
“I am grateful that this budget realizes the importance of workforce development programs, especially with regard to the health and human services professions,” said Mathis. “Too often, the Valley is left critically underserved within our healthcare professions, resulting in unacceptable wait times to receive care or a lack of access altogether. Programs like these have a proven record of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and producing results. I look forward to refining these programs within the Budget Committee.”
The 2022-2023 budget also contains a proposal to direct $750 million in drought funding.
“The Central Valley has some of if not the worst water quality in the state,” said Mathis. “Each year, we watch precious water flow right out to sea without any thought to capturing or reusing the water to alleviate the quality issues in the Central Valley. I applaud the proposal to include funds to mitigate our pending drought; however, these funds were needed years ago in order to create opportunities to capture and store this water instead of allowing it to flow unused. Put simply, it’s hard for my constituents to drink dollars; we’ll happily take drinkable water in its stead.”
