SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his $ 227.2 billion budget proposal. The state is unexpectedly receiving between $15* billion to $26** billion in additional one-time revenue. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Vice Chair of the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee, issued the following statement: 

“This one-time money must be spent on one-time expenses to help those most harmed by COVID-19 – children, mom-and-pop shops and those struggling with joblessness. The state continues to face ongoing budget deficits despite the current unexpected revenue.

“Children are not learning. They have not seen the inside of a classroom for eight months. Many are failing and facing mental health challenges. Parents are at their wit’s end trying to work and provide for their children’s instruction.

“Children’s learning and health must come first. Schools must open safely regardless of the demands of the adults involved. There is no equity when private schools are open, and public schools are not. The vast majority of families cannot afford to have independent child care or arrange for pods with private tutors.

“Millions of Californians are jobless. Countless small businesses have permanently closed including 40,000 restaurants, and many more are on the brink of closing.

“EDD must be fixed to ensure that Californians receive the help they need.

“California must be a state that enables entrepreneurs and businesses to create jobs for our people.”

*Unexpected revenue projection by Department of Finance

**Unexpected revenue projection by the Legislative Analyst Office

Elected to the State Senate in January 2013, Senator Nielsen represents the Fourth Senate District, which includes the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba. To contact Senator Jim Nielsen, please call him at 916-651-4004, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him @CASenatorJim.