January 10, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sara Floor, Communications Manager
916-327-7500, ext. 516; email: sfloor@counties.org

SACRAMENTO – California’s Counties support Governor Gavin Newsom’s $222.2 billion budget proposal, especially the significant investments in areas of key county priorities: homelessness, healthcare, wildfire preparedness and resiliency, and criminal justice.

“The state budget underscores the interconnectedness between the state and counties in improving the lives of Californians and implementing statewide initiatives,” said CSAC President and Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett. “Thanks in part to CSAC’s ongoing advocacy and education efforts, the 2020-21 budget invests in critical areas like homelessness and housing, wildfire prevention and resiliency, and criminal justice to further provide vital services to our communities.”

CSAC commends the significant budget proposals for continued wildfire-related resources to equip state, county and local first responders more adequately, including new hazard assessment technology, community infrastructure hardening and forest health investments via the Climate Resiliency Bond and addressing the severe impacts of Public Safety Power Shutoff events with the Community Power Resiliency program.

CSAC strongly supports the Governor’s ongoing investments in addressing homelessness and housing and will continue to advocate for county-level flexibility to meet the varied needs of urban, rural and suburban communities.

Recognizing the substantial local and statewide progress in public safety, Counties support the Governor’s criminal justice proposals, especially the continued focus on juvenile justice and training programs for correctional officers and counselors, for which counties are responsible or play a major role.

“We appreciate Governor Newsom’s continued action and commitment on top county priorities,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus. “Counties serve communities on behalf of the state and seek partnership centered on sufficient resources, flexibility, authority and accountability to most effectively address local community needs and priorities. Counties are committed to continue building on last year’s investments and strengthening the relationship with the Governor and the Legislature to better serve California’s most vulnerable residents.”

The California State Association of Counties is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level.