SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The California Senate has approved a $202.1 billion spending plan that covers the state's estimated $54.3 billion deficit brought on by the coronavirus.
The vote came hours after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a “budget emergency" for the first time, giving the Legislature permission to take nearly $8 billion from the state's primary savings account to avoid even deeper spending cuts.
The budget protects spending on public education and health care. But it also slashes spending for the courts, public colleges and universities and state employee salaries.
The state Assembly is scheduled to vote on the budget on Friday.
