Recently I participated in a public radio discussion in San Francisco about California’s state budget that was all too often handicapped by a stunning lack of knowledge.
For example, one of the participants claimed that the size of the state’s General Fund today is “sort of where we were at the start” of the Newsom Administration. That’s not remotely close to the truth. When Newsom took office, he inherited a $140.4 billion General Fund from Jerry Brown for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Eight years later, the General Fund for Newsom’s final year in office (2026-27) is $251.5 billion, 79.1% more.
It’s easier than ever to get budget information. If you want historical information about the state budget, see Schedule B here.
