Newsom budget plan: Climate, transportation bears the brunt of cuts
As California wrangles with a projected $22 billion budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed cutting most heavily from programs designed to help the state confront the worsening effects of climate change. Newsom’s proposed budget, which he released Tuesday, would cut a net $6 billion from the state’s climate efforts. Among the cuts: subsidies for electric vehicles; funding for clean energy programs, such as battery storage and solar panels; and money for programs to help low-income people deal with extreme heat waves. Climate activists and some progressive legislators said they were wary of the move, particularly as another atmospheric river drenched much of the state and brought flooding to communities from Santa Cruz to San Diego….Among the other proposed cuts to climate programs and projects in Newsom’s budget: … $194 million for drought preparation and response