California Lawmakers, Governor Looking to Address Budget Deficit With Proposal

The proposal aims to chip away at the deficit with reduced spending, funding shifts, and program deferrals and delays.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom leaves the stage after delivering his budget proposal in Sacramento on Jan. 10, 2023. José Luis Villegas/AP Photo

Faced with a growing budget deficit, California lawmakers are negotiating a plan to close the gap with spending reductions, among other things.

On March 14, state Senators introduced a budget proposal dubbed “Shrink the Shortfall” offering $17.1 billion in potential solutions.