Democrats, who lead the California Senate and House of Representatives, announced a state budget agreement with the legislature on Monday, but Gavin over the governor’s sweeping plans to streamline large infrastructure projects and reduce delays in environmental lawsuits. The conflict with Governor Newsom continues.

Introducing Newsom a series of budget proposals The infrastructure bill was introduced last month after lawmakers had already held committee hearings on spending proposals. Democrats in Mr. Newsom’s party criticized the governor for delaying the introduction of the bill and expressed concern about not having enough time to take action that could potentially impact communities and the environment.

Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, a Democrat who lives in Stockton and represents cities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, told a Senate hearing last week, “It is extremely regrettable that this has happened at this time of year. I want to express myself,” he said. “It’s disrespectful to the process and all the work we’ve done.”

Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and House Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) said they “continue to negotiate and move forward” on a budget deal with the governor. Lawmakers passed the agreed budget on Thursday in time for the June 15 congressional deadline, and plan to revise the budget after reaching a final agreement with Mr. Newsom within days.

Passing interim budgets and then introducing amendments became commonplace during Mr. Newsom’s tenure, but with a budget deficit of at least $31.5 billion, Democrats’ discord on the Capitol this year is likely to continue. increased. Interest groups have lobbied to keep promised funds in a year of increased revenues, and Mr. Newsom and his lawmakers continue to fight over where to cut spending.

Congress’ $311.7 billion spending plan announced Monday was formulated after 120 hearings over the past six months. Congress’ budget bills increase funding for education, childcare, public transportation and medical care beyond the levels Mr. Newsom proposed in his revised May budget. Newsom’s plan to spend $450 million from the Safety Net Reserve, an account created to boost funding for programs like CalWorks and Medi-Cal during a recession, will also be withdrawn. .

Other areas that need to be worked out with the Governor include:

• Lawmakers want to offer $1 billion in temporary price increases for childcare providers. The congressional agreement rejected the governor’s proposal to postpone the opening of subsidized daycares for 20,000 additional children, instead opening the slots on July 1, 2024.

• Newsom and lawmakers use the tax on managed care, known as the MCO tax, to fund Medi-Cal as states expand eligibility to all eligible immigrants regardless of immigration status. I agree with you. However, the two sides disagree on when the funds should be disbursed. Governor wants to spend tax revenue over 8-10 years, lawmakers will invest $10.3 billion by the end of 2026 to improve reimbursement rates for health care providers and expand access to care I am asking for
• Lawmakers also want to reinstate a $2 billion cut in transportation funding Mr. Newsom proposed in May.

Mr. Newsom’s infrastructure plans remain the biggest point of contention between governors and lawmakers, who are wondering why without the usual more deliberative legislative process on policy issues that end in September or next year. They question why the bill should be passed now.
Newsom administration officials said the governor’s proposed 10 bills are critical to meeting California’s climate goals. The governor’s office called the bill California’s “most ambitious permitting and project review reform in half a century” and said the bill could cut project timelines by more than three years in some cases. rice field.

Some outsiders agree the bill is important, but they also share Congress’ concerns.

Mary Kriesman, chief executive of the California Environmental Voters Group, said it was clear that California needed to accelerate the approval of clean energy projects and protect its rich biodiversity.

“We need a thorough policy-making process that doesn’t interfere with the budget trailer bill,” Cressman said.

One Bill in the Governor’s Plan It aims to reduce the chances of lengthy record-making delays that can sink building projects due to lawsuits filed under the California Environmental Quality Act. another suggestion It will expedite judicial review in CEQA cases related to water, transportation, clean energy, semiconductor and microelectronics projects.

Newsom’s proposed changes would also make it easier to complete a controversial plan to build underground tunnels to transport water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta to Southern California.

Newsom also wants approval from the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, known as IBank, and the Department of Water Resources. To utilize and capitalize on federal funds For projects that reduce greenhouse gases.

For public transport projects, his package Environmental mitigation approval will be easier California Department of Transportation permits for projects affecting endangered species or within the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.Newsom wants to do the same Repeal State Laws and Reclassify Some Species From “Fully Protected” to “Endangered” and “Endangered” under the California Endangered Species Act.

Another proposal would allow Caltrans to contract the construction work directly. Three wildlife intersections along Interstate 15 San Bernardino County and Change the contract procurement process To accelerate highway projects.

Newsom hopes to allow state water resources and the California Department of Transportation to use it A more flexible contracting process for up to eight major projects each.

Atkins said the Senate is reviewing the governor’s proposal and is consulting with Congress and the administration.

“It’s important to my Senate Democratic colleagues and me that streamlining is in line with California’s commitment to environmental protection,” Atkins said.

Mr. Rendon’s spokesman, John Casey, said Congress was doing the same.

“We are taking a closer look at what specific issues the governor is trying to solve and are working towards legislation that addresses those issues in a workable way,” the chairman’s office said in a statement.

The governor’s office hopes to reach a final budget agreement with Congress this week.

Staff writers Liam Dillon and Hannah Wiley contributed to this report.