Senate, Assembly Leaders Detail 2022-23 Budget Priorities
This week, leaders of the California State Senate and Assembly outlined key priorities for investments in the 2022-23 State Budget. Both houses’ priority documents come ahead of the Governor’s January Budget, which is expected to be released by January 10, 2022. Below, we provide an overview of both the Senate and Assembly budget priorities.
Of particular note to CHEAC Members, both the Senate and Assembly priorities include nods to rebuilding and strengthening the state’s public health infrastructure.
Senate Calls for More Equitable Economy
Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee Chair Nancy Skinner on Wednesday released the Senate’s broad overview of key values that will guide the majority as the body crafts its budget plan for the next fiscal year.
The Senate details the following primary values:
- Sustain progress by building upon historic reserves to protect ongoing programs from future temporary downturns, paying down state debts and retirement liabilities, utilizing one-time funds for one-time or short-term purposes, and maintaining existing expenditure priorities that promote equity.
- Strengthen equity while meeting Gann Limit requirements by maximizing infrastructure investments (including in education), building on enacted targeted tax relief programs, adjusting budget approaches to ensure ongoing commitments can be made to core programs (e.g., health, safety net), and considering reforms to modernize the Gann Limit while respecting its original intent.
- Build a more equitable economy by supporting California workers, assisting families and those in need, improving public health, health, and mental health, addressing housing challenges, boosting 21st century infrastructure efforts, and sustaining California through climate and environmental activities.
The Senate, through its values blueprint, applauds the decade of responsible budgeting by the majority and points to the opportunity to make transformative investments with the historic projected surplus. The full Senate document is available here.
Assembly Aims to Deliver Prosperity to More Californians
Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting on Thursday similarly outlined budget priorities on behalf of Assembly Democrats, unveiling his 2022-23 Budget Blueprint entitled “Delivering Prosperity & Strengthening the Future.” Ting, in his blueprint, details numerous significant investments made in 2021 across multiple subject areas and calls for the state to ensure bold investments are accomplished in the 2022 budget.
The Assembly aims to:
- Deliver prosperity with 2021 programs including through investments in public health infrastructure, CalAIM and Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, early childhood services and education, homelessness and affordable housing, emergency preparedness and climate change, and broadband access.
- Strengthen the future with new targeted investments including through major infrastructure investments (e.g., transportation, education, and housing), workforce development activities, access to health and human services, and resources for violence and suicide prevention.
The full Assembly budget document is available here.
Upon the Legislature’s return to Sacramento next month, lawmakers will receive the Governor’s January Budget proposal and begin its months-long budget hearing process. The Senate and Assembly, in early 2022, are expected to issue more detailed budget priorities. As budget activities begin in earnest in the new year, CHEAC will continue to keep Members apprised of relevant developments, including investments in public health infrastructure.