The new governor’s budget devotes $13.6 billion of the windfall to build the state’s reserves and to pay down state debt and its growing pension liability. Newsom previously outlined more than $2.5 billion in spending proposals focused on early childhood education and health care. He’s framed his budget as a “California for All” agenda that looks to close the gaps between rich and poor. This year, state revenue has soared since lawmakers and Brown approved a $139 billion budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30. Newsom wants to eventually offer six months of leave to be split between the parents, though his initial budget will include a smaller step in that direction.

Source: National Post January 10, 2019 19:41 UTC