California Today: Inside California’s new budget of nearly $300 billion

The budget includes $12 million for reparations measures for the state's Black residents.

View in browser|nytimes.com July 1, 2024 By Soumya Karlamangla It's Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new state budget of nearly $300 billion into law. And the Los Angeles homeless count declined for the first time in six years. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off on a budget for California that will close a state budget deficit estimated at $46.8 billion over the weekend. Jim Wilson/The New York Times Over the weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a budget for California that will close a state deficit estimated at $46.8 billion. The $297.9 billion budget, for the fiscal year that begins today, covers that shortfall by cutting state spending, drawing from reserves and suspending some tax breaks for businesses, among other measures. "This is a responsible budget that prepares for the future while investing in foundational programs that benefit millions of Californians every day," Newsom said in a statement on Saturday. My colleague Shawn Hubler explains exactly which jobs and programs were trimmed to balance the budget, as well as why California's finances can fluctuate so widely from year to year. Perhaps you remember that two years ago, the state had a record surplus. Despite the overall tightness of the state's finances, this year's budget includes a new line item: funds for reparations for Black residents. The state created a task force in 2020 to look into possible reparations for its 2.5 million Black residents. Though California joined the union as a free state, Black people were still enslaved here, and experts say that for generations, discriminatory housing, voting and criminal justice policies made it harder for Black Californians to accumulate wealth. Last year, the task force recommended more than 100 policy changes in education, housing and other areas; a formal apology from the state to Black residents; and, most notably, billions of dollars in direct cash payments. The new state budget includes $12 million for reparations measures, but not for cash payments; it is meant to cover the cost of legislative changes now being considered to help Black Californians. They include giving people from historically redlined communities priority for certain educational grants; establishing a fund to help reduce violence in predominantly Black communities; and a formal apology from the state, memorialized in a plaque at the State Capitol, for the harm done by racism. Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, a Democrat who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus and represents a district northeast of San Francisco, said on Saturday that the state's financial straits made the budgeting of funds for reparations more poignant. "I thought it was a win," Wilson told my colleague Alan Blinder. "To see it in the budget means that we were listened to." Read more from Alan on reparations funds being set aside in the state budget. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Encampments are a challenge for officials in Los Angeles, which is facing a severe shortage of housing and temporary shelter. Mark Abramson for The New York Times The rest of the news Fewer people were homeless in Los Angeles in January 2024 than in January 2023, the first year-over-year decline in six years. Southern California The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James, the son of the 39-year-old superstar LeBron James, in this year's N.B.A. draft, opening the possibility that a father and son could play in a game together for the first time in the league's history. Central California Wildfires in Fresno County have burned more than 10,000 acres in the last week. Northern California PG&E warned that severe fire risk may lead to power cutoffs in eight Northern California counties where extreme heat is expected this week, The Sacramento Bee reports. Orlando Cepeda, a Hall of Fame outfielder who joined the Giants in their inaugural year in San Francisco, has died at 86. A man who escaped from a Solano County prison camp in 2011 was arrested on Friday in New York City, The Los Angeles Times reports. WHAT WE'RE EATING David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Marinated Cherry Tomatoes on Toast By David Tanis 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes' marinating Makes 6 servings Sandy Feet Initiative And before you go, some good news The campers at the Sandy Feet Beach camp in San Clemente are all from families that also have children with special needs at home, The LAist reports. The campers have daily chats centered on how to go about life with a sibling who has special needs, but they also have fun experiences at the camp. Mo Langley, who founded the camp in 2017, used to volunteer at surf camps for people with disabilities. At Sandy Feet Beach, the idea is to help the children who attend "feel like they're part of a community," Langley said. About 500 children have attended over the years. Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Soumya P.S. Here's today's Mini Crossword. Briana Scalia and Luke Caramanico contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for California Today from The New York Times. To stop receiving California Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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