Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes painful cuts to close California’s growing budget deficit

By ADAM BEAM
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a series of painful budget cuts to close the state’s growing deficit. Newsom said Friday the state’s deficit is $27.6 billion. But it’s really closer to $45 billion when including previous spending reductions Newsom and state lawmakers agreed to in March. Newsom is now proposing to help balance the budget by cutting programs that benefit immigrants, low-income parents and kindergartners. The Democratic governor says some of those cuts will also help balance next year’s budget, as state revenues are projected to keep falling. The state Legislature must pass a spending plan by June 15.