SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) released the following statement after the California State Legislature passed the 2019-20 State Budget today:
“Year after year, Sacramento Democrats continue to push the envelope on spending. The majority party has passed another record-spending budget to the tune of $215 billion.
“With a $22 billion surplus, the Governor and Sacramento Democrats are handing out millions of dollars to pet projects and placing more burdens on our hardworking families with new taxes. A lot more work needs to be done to make California affordable for families, but it doesn’t start with new taxes.
“Senate Republicans pushed hard to get funding allocated for the developmentally disabled community. But I am disappointed they did not receive the full amount needed to continue helping the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“And let’s not forget starting July 1st, California drivers will pay an additional 5.6 cents per gallon of gas which Sacramento Democrats advocated for in 2017. This gas tax increase will make California less affordable and take another $850 million out of our families’ pocketbooks. Where is the relief for California drivers?” said Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove.
The California State Legislature 2019-20 Budget includes:
- $3 billion of taxes on businesses over the next two years combined.
- $1 billion in health penalty taxes on California families over the next three years.
- More than $300 million handed out to various Democrats’ pet projects, including local dog parks and gardens.
- Only $250 million was allocated for service providers who serve the developmentally disabled community, but a recent study showed that an increase of $1.2 billion is needed annually for providers.
- $442 million over two years will go to the embattled Department of Motor Vehicles with no accountability for delivering results.