x
Breaking News
More () »

Governor Newsom declares budget emergency in California

According to Newsom, the emergency clears the way for legislation allowing the state to draw from the state’s rainy day fund to help California during the pandemic.
Credit: AP
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, wears a face mask as he answers a reporter's question during his visit to the Queen Sheba Ethiopian Cuisine restaurant, in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, June 19, 2020. Newsom visited the restaurant that is participating in the Great Plates Delivered program that provides meals to older adults who are at-risk to COVID-19. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool)

SAN DIEGO — Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a proclamation of a budget emergency for the state of California. According to the governor's office, the emergency will make additional resources available to fund the state’s ongoing emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsom's office added that this will "ensure the availability of funding for personal protective equipment, medical equipment and other expenditures to support a potential hospital.

According to the governor, Thursday’s proclamation clears the way for the Legislature to pass legislation allowing the state to draw from the state’s rainy day fund to help California during the COVID-19 crisis, which has triggered a global economic crisis and a $54.3 billion state budget deficit.

As part of negotiations with the Legislature, Gov. Newsom said he could withhold up to $2.5 billion in the upcoming state budget from local governments that fail to comply with mandates intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The funding threat comes as California sees a rise in the number of virus cases and hospitalizations, and some counties are openly flaunting Newsom's statewide order to wear masks. Much of the funding comes from the federal coronavirus aid package, intended to help local governments hit hard by the pandemic. Assemblyman James Gallagher, a Republican critic of the governor's orders, said Newsom is holding federal funds hostage. 

During Thursday's update, Newsom gave newer coronavirus case numbers for the state. The number of positive cases in California dropped tremendously overnight. On Wednesday the state had 7,149 positives and on Thursday, the state reported 5,349 positive cases. 

In regards to total hospitalizations, the number rose from the last 24 hours to 4,240 from 3,439. ICU numbers also rose slightly from 1,119 to 1,306.

Wednesday's full address is available to watch here.

RELATED: Governor Newsom gives COVID-19 numbers update

RELATED: Is San Diego seeing a trend with recent uptick in COVID-19 cases?

RELATED: San Diego County seeing new COVID-19 cases in young adults, community outbreaks

Before You Leave, Check This Out