California cuts back illegal immigrants access to healthcare, cutting into $12B deficit
Share this @internewscast.com

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, on Friday, signed a budget that scales back several progressive agendas, including a significant health care expansion for low-income adult illegal immigrants, to address a $12 billion deficit.

This marks the third consecutive year that the nation’s most populous state has had to reduce funding or halt certain programs advocated for by Democratic leaders.

Lawmakers passed the budget earlier in the day following an agreement of a $321 billion spending plan between Newsom and Democratic leaders.

But the whole budget will be void if lawmakers don’t send him legislation to make it easier to build housing by Monday.

State leaders stated that the budget circumvents some of the most severe cuts to crucial safety net programs. They predominantly depended on utilizing state reserves, borrowing from special funds, and postponing payments to fill the budget gap.

“It’s balanced, it maintains substantial reserves, and it’s focused on supporting Californians,” Newsom said in a statement about the budget.

California also faces potential federal cuts to health care programs and broad economic uncertainty that could force even deeper cuts.

Newsom in May estimated that federal policies — including on tariffs and immigration enforcement — could reduce state tax revenue by $16 billion.

“We’ve had to make some tough decisions,” Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire said Friday. “I know we’re not going to please everyone, but we’re doing this without any new taxes on everyday Californians.”

Republican lawmakers said they were left out of budget negotiations. They also criticized Democrats for not doing enough to address future deficits, which could range between $17 billion to $24 billion annually.

“We’re increasing borrowing, we’re taking away from the rainy day fund, and we’re not reducing our spending,” said Republican state Sen. Tony Strickland prior to the vote. “And this budget also does nothing about affordability in California.”

Here’s a look at spending in key areas:

Health care

Under the budget deal, California will stop enrolling new adult patients without legal status in its state-funded health care program for low-income people starting 2026.

The state will also implement a $30 monthly premium July 2027 for immigrants remaining on the program, including some with legal status. The premiums would apply to adults under 60 years old.

The changes to the program, known as Medi-Cal, are a scaled-back version of Newsom’s proposal in May. Still, it’s a major blow to an ambitious program started last year to help the state inch closer to a goal of universal health care.

Democratic state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo broke with her party and voted “no” on the health care changes, calling them a betrayal of immigrant communities.

The deal also removes $78 million in funding for mental health phone lines, including a program that served 100,000 people annually.

It will eliminate funding that helps pay for dental services for low-income people in 2026 and delay implementation of legislation requiring health insurance to cover fertility services by six months to 2026.

But lawmakers also successfully pushed back on several proposed cuts from Newsom that they called “draconian.”

The deal secures funding for a program providing in-home domestic and personal care services for some low-income residents and Californians with disabilities. It also avoids cuts to Planned Parenthood.

Environment

Lawmakers agreed to let the state tap $1 billion from its cap-and-trade program to fund state firefighting efforts.

The cap-and-trade program is a market-based system aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Companies have to buy credits to pollute, and that money goes into a fund lawmakers are supposed to tap for climate-related spending.

Newsom wanted to reauthorize the program through 2045, with a guarantee that $1 billion would annually go to the state’s long-delayed high-speed rail project.

The budget doesn’t make that commitment, as lawmakers wanted to hash out spending plans outside of the budget process.

The rail project currently receives 25% of the cap-and-trade proceeds, which is roughly $1 billion annually depending on the year.

Legislative leaders also approved funding to help transition part-time firefighters into full-time positions.

Many state firefighters only work nine months each year, which lawmakers said harms the state’s ability to prevent and fight wildfires.

The deal includes $10 million to increase the daily wage for incarcerated firefighters, who earn $5.80 to $10.24 a day currently.

Public safety

The budget agreement will provide $80 million to help implement a tough-on-crime initiative voters overwhelmingly approved last year.

The measure makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders, increases penalties for some drug charges and gives judges the authority to order people with multiple drug charges into treatment.

Most of the fund, $50 million, will help counties build more behavioral health beds. Probation officers will get $15 million for pre-trial services and courts will receive $20 million to support increased caseloads.

Advocates of the measure — including sheriffs, district attorneys and probation officers — said that’s not enough money. Some have estimated it would take around $400 million for the first year of the program.

Other priorities

Newsom and lawmakers agreed to raise the state’s film tax credit from $330 million to $750 million annually to boost Hollywood. The program, a priority for Newsom, will start this year and expire in 2030.

The budget provides $10 million to help support immigration legal services, including deportation defense.

But cities and counties won’t see new funding to help them address homelessness next year, which local leaders said could lead to the loss of thousands of shelter beds.

The budget also doesn’t act on Newsom’s proposal to streamline a project to create a massive underground tunnel to reroute a big part of the state’s water supply.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Cuba says it killed 4 people aboard Florida-registered speedboat that opened fire on soldiers

Cuban Authorities Report Fatal Incident Involving Florida-Registered Speedboat and Military Personnel

HAVANA (AP) — On Wednesday, Cuba’s government reported that its military forces…
The Louvre names Christophe Leribault as boss months after historic jewel heist

Christophe Leribault Appointed Director of the Louvre Following Landmark Jewel Heist

PARIS — A new leader is set to take the helm at…
The heartbreaking reason Florida man, 80, allegedly killed his wife

Tragic Tale: Florida Octogenarian Allegedly Ends Wife’s Life in Heartbreaking Turn of Events

In a tragic incident, an elderly man from Florida is accused of…
City overcharged residents for city sticker, Chicago parking ticket for years, judge rules

Judge Determines Chicago Residents Overcharged for City Stickers and Parking Tickets Over Several Years

A Cook County judge has determined that the city of Chicago has…
Horror as person falls 250ft to their death off notorious 'Devil's Slide' cliff

Tragic Plunge: 250ft Fall at Infamous ‘Devil’s Slide’ Cliff Shocks Community

A tragic incident occurred when an individual plummeted 250 feet to their…
Build, baby, build: Mamdani must make more housing a top priority

Prioritizing Housing: Mamdani’s Call to Action for Boosting Development

In a decisive move to tackle New York City’s housing and affordability…
Harlem renaissance history unearthed amid Bronx gravestones

Hidden Treasures: Bronx Gravestones Reveal Untold Stories of the Harlem Renaissance

WOODLAWN, the Bronx — The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of Black…
'Not on my bingo card': Hegseth comments on being tasked with releasing files on UFOs

Pete Hegseth Surprised by New Role in Unveiling UFO Files

“Do you think aliens exist?” was the question posed to Defense Secretary…
Trump blasts Democrats who refused to stand for protecting Americans over 'illegal aliens' at State of the Union 2026

Trump Criticizes Democrats for Not Standing Up for American Protection in State of the Union 2026 Address

President Trump criticized Democratic leaders who declined to support his assertion that…
'Mentally deranged' Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib should 'be institutionalized' for SOTU antics: Trump

Trump Criticizes Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, Suggesting Institutionalization Over State of the Union Conduct

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, President Trump…
NFL receives no tush push ban proposal this year after effort last year to ban it failed

NFL Receives No Proposals to Ban ‘Tush Push’ Following Last Year’s Unsuccessful Attempt

The “tush push” maneuver continues to challenge both defenses and decision-makers alike.…
Brawl erupts in Ohio courtroom after judge hands down reduced sentence for teen killer

Outrage in Ohio: Courtroom Chaos Erupts Over Reduced Sentence for Teen Killer

Tempers flared and chaos unfolded in an Ohio courtroom when two families…