Dear Constituent,

Gov. Newsom just signed the 2021-22 state budget, and it is truly a good news budget!

Thanks to California's progressive tax structure, state revenues reached an all-time high. With the record-breaking revenues and federal government stimulus funds, California was able to pass a 2021-22 state budget that will build our state back boldly.

As chair of the Senate Budget Committee, I worked with my legislative colleagues and Gov. Newsom's administration to assemble this year's budget — the most transformative in modern history. And I want to assure you that it is also a responsible budget. Recognizing the inevitability of future economic uncertainty, we put $25.2 billion in reserve accounts and fully paid off state debt for our schools.

Here's the other good news: The budget funds K-12 schools and childcare at the highest levels ever, sets a path to debt-free college, and puts additional stimulus checks directly into the hands of California families. It also makes transformative investments to reduce hunger and homelessness and complete a statewide broadband infrastructure that will give more Californians internet access. And this school year, California will become the first state to provide free school meals to all K-12 students!

Here are some additional highlights:

Economic Relief for Families & Small Business/Nonprofits

• Golden State Stimulus 2. Residents with incomes between $30,000 and $75,000 will receive a $600 stimulus check, and families with kids, including ITIN filers, will get an additional $500. Use this link to determine if you are eligible.
• Renter Assistance. To help low-income renters and landlords, the budget includes funds to cover up to 100% of unpaid rent and extends the eviction moratorium to Sept. 30. Use this link to apply.
• Small Business/Nonprofits, Micro-Businesses, Arts and Cultural Venues Grants. More funds for the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, bringing the total this year to $4 billion, and a special grant program for micro-businesses, as well as arts, music, and other venues. Use this link to apply.

Homelessness

• Record $12 Billion to Address Homelessness. This new funding is to be distributed over two years, including $1 billion each year to the cities where most of California's unhoused folks live.

K-12 Schools and Early Care

• Child Care, T-K, After-School. Over the next four years, transitional kindergarten – an additional year of school – will be available to all 4-year-olds, 200,000 more infants and children will have access to subsidized childcare, plus all childcare providers will get a pay raise! The budget also funds expanded after-school programs and state preschool.
• K-12 Public Education:  Record funding for K-12 schools provides about $21,000 per every K-12 student and allows California to be the first state to provide two school meals to every student.

Higher Education

• UC and CSU. UC and CSU get a 5% ongoing funding increase, along with funds to boost enrollment of California students.
• Financial Aid Expansion. Cal Grants for 133,000 more community college students, and our Middle Class Scholarship program will now cover both tuition and living costs so families don't have to rely on big loans.  
• Higher Ed Facilities/Student Housing. New $2 billion fund to support new facilities and housing. 

Fighting Poverty and Hunger

• Medi-Cal Age 50+ for All. All income-eligible California residents 50-plus years of age will now receive Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status.
• Seniors, Disabled. The budget increases monthly payments to those living on SSI/SSP and will now also give better pay to disability service providers.
• CalWORKs. California's lowest-income families, mostly single mothers with children, who depend on CalWORKs will receive higher monthly stipends and more assistance during pregnancy.
• Foster Care Support. Foster youth 18 to 21 now have access to housing stipends and more financial support for college. Payment to families with foster children is also increased, and California will no longer send our foster children to out-of-state placements.
• Food/Diapers/Menstrual Products. We are expanding CalFresh food benefits to more Californians regardless of immigration status, increased funding to food banks and permanently eliminated sales tax on diapers and menstrual products.
• Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program. Launched the first-ever statewide guaranteed basic income program starting with support to aging out foster youth and those who are pregnant.

More

• Wildfire, Drought and Climate Resiliency. Over $7 billion over a few years to address wildfires and the drought and to support climate resiliency projects.
• Broadband. Broadband access is now an essential need yet many Californians have limited to no access. To address our statewide digital divide, the budget invests $6 billion over a three years to expand and build out broadband infrastructure and improve broadband access.
• Gun Violence Reduction. California's CalVIP program will receive over $200 million to support gun violence reduction and prevention efforts across the state.
• Senate District 9: The budget includes over $330 million for local programs here in District 9, including funding for the East Bay Regional Park District for wildfire preparedness, a health clinic for homeless residents, alternative response to mental and social service calls, Port of Oakland infrastructure improvements, and low-income youth programs.

It was my great privilege to be part of the team that developed this good news budget. I hope you are as proud of it as I am. It is an honor to serve you in the state Senate.

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
State Senator, District 9