California lawmakers found money for these pet projects even as they slashed the budget

"The earmarks were approved at the same time Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers left state worker positions unfilled, suspended some health care benefits, forewent raises for firefighters, filled budget holes with high-interest bond money and took billions of dollars from the state's rainy day emergency fund. Kristen Cox, executive director of the Long Beach Community Table foodbank, said the money lawmakers spent this year to enhance communities in their districts often for projects that some would consider frills isn't going to the neediest Californians."

"By Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters Despite facing a $12 billion deficit this year, California's Legislature still managed to spend at least $415 million for local projects to help lawmakers win their next elections. CalMatters found close to 100 earmarks inserted into just one of the state's budget bills for local projects and programs that had little apparent benefit to anyone outside the lawmakers' districts."

California's Legislature approved at least $415 million in local earmarks during a year with a $12 billion budget deficit. Close to 100 earmarks were inserted into a single budget bill for projects and programs that provided little apparent benefit beyond lawmakers' districts. Some spending targeted amenities in wealthier communities, including $5 million for a San Francisco LGBTQ+ venue, $2.5 million for a private Southern California day school, and $250,000 for a private farm-animal rescue. About $250 million of the earmarks came from the $10 billion Proposition 4 climate bond, including $26 million for programs paying farmers for private land conservation. These approvals occurred while state worker positions went unfilled, some healthcare benefits were suspended, firefighter raises were foregone, high-interest bond money was used to fill budget holes, and billions were withdrawn from the rainy day emergency fund. A foodbank executive characterized the spending as misprioritization that favored local beautification over aid to the neediest residents.

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