California Lawmakers Pass $211 Billion Budget With Spending Cuts

California’s legislature passed a $211 billion spending plan for the next fiscal year that covers an estimated $27.6 billion shortfall. The action allows final negotiations with Governor Gavin Newsom to continue while adhering to a constitutional requirement to pass a budget before a June 15 deadline.

The budget plan contains funding cuts and a $5 billion draw from the state’s reserve funds to help close the gap. Programs that were slashed include roughly $1 billion from the state’s prison budget and a freeze on certain public healthcare allocations.

State lawmakers are required to pass a budget by Saturday or ...