LegCon 2026: ‘These Are Not Easy Votes’: Pro Tem Limón Talks Budget Realities with County Leaders

Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón offered county leaders an inside look at California’s difficult budget negotiations during a fireside chat at the CSAC Legislative Conference General Session, moderated by CSAC President and Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. 

Now leading the Senate through the budget process for the first time as Pro Tem, Limón spoke candidly about the challenges lawmakers face as they work with Governor Gavin Newsom to reach a prudent budget deal while responding to growing needs across the state. 

“These are not easy votes,” Limón said, referring to the difficult decisions legislators must make as they weigh cuts, ongoing commitments and competing priorities. 

A major focus of the conversation centered on healthcare and the significant fiscal pressures tied to both state and federal proposals. Limón discussed concerns surrounding the Governor’s proposal to shift $233.6 million in In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) costs from the state to counties — an approach rejected in the Senate’s budget framework. She also acknowledged uncertainty surrounding H.R. 1 and the potential impacts federal actions could have on California’s healthcare systems and local governments. 

Limón emphasized that lawmakers are balancing immediate needs against the long-term fiscal health of the state. “We have to address our structural deficit in order to start making long-term commitments,” she explained, underscoring the Legislature’s cautious approach to new spending commitments. 

Throughout the discussion, Limón stressed that legislators remain closely connected to the realities Californians are facing in their daily lives — from affordability challenges to fears about losing access to healthcare and food benefits amid uncertainty surrounding H.R. 1. 

“We’re not removed from the experience of what our constituents are going through,” she said. 

The conversation also highlighted the political complexities surrounding revenue discussions in Sacramento. Limón described how the conversation around potential revenue solutions has evolved over recent months, despite initial resistance. 

“We started in January and last fall with a hard no — no revenue, no revenue, no revenue,” she said. But now, she added, the governor has put something on the table, marking a significant shift from just a few months ago. 

At the same time, Limón acknowledged the difficulty of advancing those conversations in the Legislature. “I don’t think people understand how hard it is to get revenue options on the table in the legislature,” she said. 

The fireside chat gave county leaders valuable insight into the state’s evolving budget outlook and the challenges lawmakers face in balancing fiscal responsibility with critical public services. As counties continue to navigate pressures at the local level, Limón’s remarks reinforced the importance of strong state-county partnerships in addressing Californians’ most pressing needs.