Overview
- In one budget bill, lawmakers added nearly 100 district-targeted items totaling $415 million even as the state faced a roughly $12 billion shortfall.
- About $250 million of the earmarked spending was carved from the $10 billion Proposition 4 climate bond that voters approved in 2024.
- Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire’s North Coast district received more than $100 million, including $50 million from Prop. 4 for a 320-mile redwood trail.
- Other allocations include $20 million to expand public access to a gated Santa Barbara County beach, $15 million for geologic heritage sites, $5 million for a San Francisco LGBTQ+ venue, $2.5 million for a private day school, and $250,000 for a private farm-animal rescue.
- Earmark requests are not public records, the Wildlife Conservation Board must now direct $88 million of its Prop. 4 funds and another $10 million for waterbird habitat programs, all Democrats voted for the budget, Governor Gavin Newsom signed it, and critics cite misprioritization given vacant positions and suspended benefits.