San Mateo County’s state lawmakers juggle priorities with projected budget shortfall

Assemblymember Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto, said the proposal “reflects our uncertain economic reality,” while state Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, said he’s not very optimistic that trigger reductions will be taken off the table by May when budget revisions will be made public. 

Meanwhile, Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo, said she feels the proposal presents a wait-and-see approach, allowing state officials to negotiate over smaller cuts while a fuller picture of the state’s economy develops. 

“In my gut, I’m leaning toward optimism. I feel like we’re taking incremental steps along the way to see if we can combat inflation. I think what’s been proposed is measured and tailored towards let’s see where we are in May. It’s not doomsday, that’s not what I’m seeing or feeling,” Papan said. 

The proposal comes a year after the state celebrated a nearly $100 billion budget windfall, which was largely allocated as one-time bumps to programs. Berman said responsible budgeting practices over the past few years now positions the state to weather a potential financial recession while still investing into public programs.

Continued public investments have also been made possible, he said, by the state’s rainy day fund that has been built up over the past decade of budget cycles. 

“This year, even though we’re anticipating a budget deficit, we’re still fully funding programs that impact the most vulnerable communities,” Berman said. “I think you’ll see us maintaining at-pace going forward. I don’t know that you’ll see us accelerating the pace of things but I don’t anticipate you’ll see us slow down.” 

Unlike many other areas, dollars for education has largely gone untouched and in some cases, has been expanded. Becker said he was proud to see the continued support for the state’s expanded transitional kindergarten program, which aims to eventually enroll all children as young as three into public school, and the financial backing for public secondary schools. 

But one area he’s concerned to see the state “pumping the brakes” is climate change. Of the $54 billion the state promised to spend over the next five years on its climate agenda in the 2021 and 2022 Budget Acts, the current budget proposal maintains about $48 million or 89% of that promise, according to the state’s summary. 

“We’re looking at a budget shortfall of anywhere from $22.5 [billion] to $24 billion, so on the one hand, maintaining about 90% of the money for environmental and climate change programs is terrific news,” said Becker, who will chair a budget subcommittee on resources, environmental protections and energy, in a press release. “On the other hand, if federal money isn’t available to backfill some of those proposed cuts, pulling back on these climate and environmentally-sensitive investments now is going to make progress that much harder.” 

Similarly, Papan said she was happy to see $135.5 million committed to urban flood risk reduction but also vowed to continue to fight for protections against the “triple threat” — droughts, floods and wildfires. 

But Papan said she’ll also be advocating for the Peninsula’s transportation needs, noting Caltrain has made substantial progress on its electrification efforts that she’s not willing to see stunted.

Like his colleagues, Berman also vowed to advocate for climate initiatives, noting the region and broader state are currently experiencing the impacts of extreme weather, but also highlighted affordable housing and combating fentanyl and illicit drug use as top issues.

“I wish I could fight for everything,” Berman said. “We have no shortage of needs.”