May 08, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   state budget State Assembly Leaders Release Budget Road Map

On May 7, Democratic leadership in the State Assembly released their framework for the 2026-27 State Budget. While the framework acknowledges the impacts of H.R. 1 on counties’ safety net systems, it does not directly address

Apr 24, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   state budget State Senate Leadership Releases State Budget Framework

Last week, California State Senate Leader Monique Limón and Budget Committee Chair John Laird released their “Foundation for the Future” Framework for the 2026-27 State Budget. The plan calls for

Jul 03, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   state budget RCRC Highlights the Latest Updates in the 2025-2026 State Budget Package

On Monday, June 30, Governor Newsom signed the package of bills that make up the 2025 State Budget, which took effect immediately upon signature.  RCRC’s latest budget package highlights, of interest to California’s rural counties, is available here.

Jul 03, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   state budget Legislature Passes New CEQA Bill, Includes Several New Exemptions

On June 30, the Legislature passed, and Governor Newsom signed, Senate Bill 131, which is a budget trailer bill that makes numerous changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Jun 13, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   state budget Legislature Sends Budget to Governor's Desk Ahead of June 15th Deadline

On Friday, June 13, both houses of the Legislature passed the Budget Act of 2025 (Senate Bill 101), on a largely party line vote, following approximately four hours of floor discussion. The Budget Act now proceeds to the Governor’s desk for action. RCRC has prepared some key highlights of the 2025-26 Budget Package, by topic area, that may be of interest to California’s rural counties. View the highlights here.

To view RCRC’s earlier highlights of the Governor’s May Revise, find the Rural Rundown here. 

May 16, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   state budget Governor Newsom Seeks to Include RCRC-Sponsored CEQA Measure in Budget Package

On May 14, Governor Newsom unveiled the May Revisions to his proposed budget.  As part of that presentation, he acknowledged and thanked Assembly Member Wicks and Senator Wiener for their efforts to undertake significant California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reform in AB 609 (Wicks) and SB 607 (Wiener)

Apr 11, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   state budget Legislative Action on “Budget Bill Jr.”

Before leaving for Spring Recess on Thursday, the State Legislature approved Assembly Bill 100. Commonly referred to as a “Budget Bill, Jr.” this measure amends a prior Budget Act and makes several program area adjustments

Jan 10, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   state budget RCRC’s Rural Rundown of Governor Newsom’s 2025-26 Proposed Budget

On Friday, January 10th, Governor Newsom released his Administration’s 2025-26 Proposed Budget. This proposal begins the budget development process between the Governor and Legislature; with the onus on lawmakers who must pass a budget by June 15th for the...

Jun 28, 2024

Barbed Wire   |   state budget Highlights of the Latest Bills in the 2024-25 State Budget Package

Over the past week, the Legislature acted on several budget-related bills, including two “budget bills junior” and a handful of budget trailer bills. The measures introduced and acted upon, collectively reflect an agreement between Governor...