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Governor's Budget Proposes $2.9B In Cuts To Climate Programs
In an aerial view, a newly constructed sand berm protects against strong Pacific Ocean surf, two days after a rogue wave inundated the area and injured eight people, on Dec. 30, 2023 in Ventura.
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Courtesy NWS
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget was released today, and it includes a total of $2.9 billion in cuts to climate-related programs as part of an effort to make up a projected $38 billion dollar shortfall.
Proposed reductions: Water-related programs ($796 million reduction), wildfire and forest resilience ($101 million), extreme heat ($40.1 million), community resilience ($90 million) and coastal resilience ($452 million).
What are the implications?: We could see cuts to funding for individual programs like those that deal with PFAS (forever chemicals) and extreme heat and community resilience.
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What’s actually going to happen?: We don't know. By the time a budget is approved later this year, it’ll likely look much different than the governor's proposed budget that was released today.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
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