California Republicans Urge Spending Cuts as State Faces $68 Billion Deficit

In response so the state’s looming $68 billion deficit, California Senate Republicans urged governor Gavin Newsom to make immediate changes to the ongoing year’s budget beyond the already-initiated budget freeze, claiming “Failing to act now will lead to increased instability in future budgets and impact the functions and services the state provides.” After the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office announced the state entered a recession in March 2023 and would experience a $26 billion revenue shortfall in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, it also estimated that, absent any changes to spending, the state is likely to face a $68 billion budget deficit for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year currently being planned for.