Assemblymember Diane Papan’s Statement on the 2023-24 State Budget Proposal

San Mateo –  “As with our weather, California is experiencing significant volatility. But due to careful planning and thoughtful budgeting, the state is well positioned to withstand a decrease in revenues and the economic uncertainty ahead.

Despite an estimated budget deficit of $22.5 billion, the proposed budget maintains and even expands the vast majority of services including childcare, public education, affordable housing and investments in climate resilience.

Importantly for the 21^st Assembly District, the budget includes additional funding for Urban Flood Risk Reduction—$135.5 million over the next two years to support local communities to address flooding. This is on top of the billions of dollars committed in previous budgets to address the combined threats of drought, wildfires and flooding.

I will continue to advocate for additional funding to combat the ever-increasing threats due to climate change supporting community resilience and adaptation strategies that will save lives, property and maintains livelihoods.

Local governments or community based efforts will not be able to cope with the destructive potential of the natural disasters that will continue to impact our state and our county. Both state and federal support will be critical to help our communities prepare for a future with more extreme weather events.”

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