Newly sworn in California Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced his first budget proposal; a record-setting $209 billion, with $144 billion in general fund spending. As the state sits on a $21.4 billion-dollar surplus, the largest projected surplus since at least 2000, the budget contains some significant investments in agricultural programs.
The budget calls for nearly $566 million in funding for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). There is a request for $2.5 million in the proposal intended to develop a dedicated Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division within CDFA and establish 65 positions to enhance Asian Citrus Psyllid and Huanglongbing detection, suppression, and eradication activities.
The proposed budget also expands funding to $18 million for the Healthy Soils Program, and $25 million dollars for dairy digester and alternative manure management projects. The proposal also requests funding to restart CDFA’s noxious weed management program and for the construction of a new animal health diagnostic lab in Turlock.
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