Press Release

Sen. Nancy Skinner Issues Statement on California’s 2019-20 Budget

senator skinner speaking

State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, today issued the following statement on the 2019-20 budget agreement approved by both houses of the California Legislature:

“This budget supports California, its schools, families, and communities. In response to our housing crisis, it includes more than $2 billion for affordable housing and homeless services as well as rental assistance and legal help for tenants to help prevent homelessness,” Skinner said.

“Our 2019-20 budget will also help middle-class Californians cover their health insurance costs, ensures that 15,000 additional California students can attend UC and CSU, and provides a significant funding increase for our K-12 schools. And California families additionally benefit with more paid family leave time, more funding for childcare, and no more sales tax on diapers and tampons,” Skinner added.

Budget Highlights:

  • $2.4 billion for affordable housing and homeless investments, including $650 million earmarked for cities, counties, and organizations to provide care and services for homeless people and prevent homelessness through legal and rental assistance for tenants facing economic hardship.
  • Highest level of school funding and per pupil funding in state history
  • $300 million for full-day kindergarten.
  • $500 million to improve and expand childcare facilities, improve childcare affordability, and support workforce development for childcare providers.
  • California’s paid family leave plan increased from six to eight weeks.
  • No more sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products, like tampons, for two years.
  • Targeted funding to train law enforcement on de-escalation techniques to reduce deadly use of force incidents.
  • Close to a billion dollars in Greenhouse Gas Reduction funds for low carbon cars, trucks, and buses, climate smart agriculture, healthy forests, ensuring safe, clean drinking water, and reducing toxic air pollutants.
  • And a robust reserve of $19.4 billion in case of future economic pressures.

Sen. Nancy Skinner (@NancySkinnerCA) represents the 9th Senate District and was a member of this year’s Legislative Conference Committee on the Budget.