Multiple flood protection projects in California are on hold after Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cutting their funding to help cover a $22.5 billion budget deficit
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — — a decision disappointing environmental advocates as weeks of powerful storms have caused widespread flooding that damaged homes and washed away roads.
Newsom approved that money last year, when the state had a record budget surplus of around $100 billion. Just a few months later, things have changed dramatically as a sluggish stock market has slowed the state's economy, reducing the amount of taxes the state collects. Now, Newsom says California will have a $22.5 billion deficit this year.
The Newsom administration would cut that money because “we are facing serious economic headwinds,” said Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency. He said those floodplain restoration projects are eligible to get funds from other places, including the state's Sustainable Groundwater Management Program and the Wildlife Conservation Board.
For more than 100 years, Californians have tried to tame their rivers with a complex system of dams, canals and levees that have transformed the state's Central Valley into fertile farmland. The money was set to pay for nine floodplain reconnection projects that are ready to begin plus help another six that are still in the planning process, said Julie Rentner, president of River Partners, a nonprofit that is managing the projects.Newsom can't sign the budget into law until it has first been vetted by the Democratic-controlled state Legislature, a process that will last for much of this year. But announcing the cuts essentially puts the money on hold, stalling projects.
Newsom's budget plan does contain other funds targeting flooding. He proposed more than $200 million in new spending on flood protections, including $135.5 million over two years to reduce urban risk; $40.6 million to strengthen levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta; and $25 million to reduce flooding risks in the Central Valley.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bill Seeks To Extend Unemployment Benefits To California’s Undocumented WorkersCalifornia workers who don’t have legal immigration status or work permits are barred from unemployment benefits, even if they pay taxes.
Read more »
Ethical imbroglios abound for California Governor NewsomA report this week involving California Gov. and first lady Gavin and Jennifer Seibel Newsom raises the question of how many scandals can be wrapped up in a single story. What will be still more scandalous is if the establishment media doesn’t cover the revelations as a scandal.
Read more »
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s phony budgetOpinion: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s phony budget
Read more »
President Biden, Gov. Newsom reacting to mass shooting in Monterey ParkOfficials from President Biden to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are offering sympathy to victims of the Monterey Park shooting.
Read more »
Multiple dead in shooting in Monterey Park, CaliforniaMultiple people were shot late Saturday in Monterey Park, California, a city hosting a Lunar New Year festival this weekend.
Read more »
California Senate sings the budget bluesIn its first formal response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $297 billion spending plan, the Legislature gave feedback on Wednesday: The governor’s fiscal forecasters are too optimistic and the state needs to prepare for a worsening budgetary outlook.
Read more »