California lawmakers urge more help for schools, businesses in budget talks with Newsom

Democratic leaders of the California Legislature unveiled a state budget blueprint on Tuesday that would boost public schools and small businesses beyond the proposal made last month by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a move that is likely to set the stage for friendly but detailed negotiations before the June 15 constitutional deadline for action.

The $267-billion legislative plan largely aligns with Newsom’s proposal, constructed with the expectation of a short-term tax revenue windfall of more than $75 billion. But it adds substantial funding to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and those who face ongoing, systemic challenges such as finding affordable child care and access to grants that cover a portion of the costs to attend college.

“I’d say that we restructured a few things” in the governor’s plan, said state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the chairwoman of the Senate Budget Committee.

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