FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           January 10, 2019

Contact: Sara Floor
916-926-8769

After unveiling several executive actions and budget previews earlier this week, Governor Gavin Newsom today released his Administration’s first full budget proposal, including investments in several key CSAC priority areas.

Given the large budget surplus available, the 2019-20 budget includes funding for In-Home Supportive Services, emergency management and response, housing and homelessness and other initiatives of County concern while being judicious in paying down debt. After the resounding failure of Proposition 6, which would have eliminated SB 1 transportation funding, it is disheartening to see a proposal linking transportation funds promised to local governments with private sector housing production. 

“We’re extremely pleased to see that the proposed budget includes funding that will ease the burden for California Counties related to In-Home Supportive Services, invests in emergency management infrastructure to better protect Counties from disasters and continues to invest in addressing homelessness. However, we are concerned about placing additional conditions on counties that could limit access to SB 1 funds,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus. “We look forward to building a strong partnership with the new Governor and appreciate his recognition of the importance of further state investment towards our shared priorities.”

“Governor Newson’s budget continues investing in many of the key issues that all counties across California are struggling to address,” said CSAC President and Humboldt County Supervisor Virginia Bass. “From closing the gap on In-Home Supportive Services and helping add critical funding needed to address homelessness, this budget helps Counties better serve our rural, suburban and urban communities.”

The California State Association of Counties is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level.