SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) — Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to unveil his state budget proposal later this week.
Meanwhile, at the State Capitol, budget negotiations are underway. Several municipal leaders across the state are urging the legislature and governor to approve funds for recycling and the housing program. They also said the state owed them money.
“We’re asking the state to put its money where its warrants are,” said Carolyn Coleman, CEO of the League of California Cities.
The League of California Cities has called on state leaders to use $1.6 billion of the state’s estimated $68 billion budget surplus for a list of what they say are necessities.
On Wednesday, the group said first on the list was $500 million to create a housing and economic development program to help fund housing production and encourage development across California.
“We’re asking the state to do something simple: partner with our cities so we can make real progress toward our housing production goals,” said Cindy Silva, interim mayor of Walnut Creek.
Next on the list is recovery.
The group said the state owes local governments in California more than $933.5 million for state-mandated programs since 2004. About half of that money is owed to cities.
“Cities have implemented dozens of mandatory programs and services such as those related to public meetings, identity theft, domestic violence, child abuse and crime reporting,” Roberto said. Uranga, member of the Long Beach City Council.
Finally, the group is asking for $180 million to help cities implement another state-mandated program: organic waste recycling. The national regulations entered into force at the beginning of this year.
They said the state funding already earmarked for it was barely enough.
“Without additional funding, many cities will be forced to pass on a significant cost of these programs to ratepayers at a time when they can least afford it,” said El Cerrito Mayor Gabriel Quinto.
Newsom is expected to release his revised version of the state budget on Friday.
