As the COVID-19 omicron variant spreads throughout California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has included billions of dollars in funding in his state budget proposal to address future coronavirus surges.
Newsom presented the record $286 billion budget proposal for the 2022-23 fiscal year in a slideshow to a few dozen reporters on Monday, all of whom tested negative for COVID-19, wore KN95 masks or better and were socially distanced in a Sacramento auditorium.
The nearly 300-page proposal focused on what Newsom said were among the state's biggest existential threats: COVID, climate change, homelessness, inequality and public safety.
Newsom proposed allocating $2.7 billion for increased vaccinations, statewide testing and more hospital staff in the budget.
Additionally, to confront the omicron variant's surge, Newsom said the state hopes to increase the number of contracted workers helping hospital staff from 2,250 to 3,500 in the coming days.
"Many can't come in to work because they themselves are getting sick," Newsom said of hospital workers. "But boy, do they deserve an expression of gratitude."
More than 11,000 residents are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, according to numbers Newsom presented on Monday, down from 22,000 this time a year ago. According to projections, as many as 23,000 residents could be hospitalized with the coronavirus at the beginning of February.
Nearly 72% of people in the state who are at least 5 years old had been fully vaccinated as of Sunday, according to California data posted on Monday. Almost 51% of state residents who are eligible for the booster had received one, or an additional dose, as of Sunday.
Newsom's proposal included $1.2 billion for wildfire protection, as well as $2 billion for homeless housing and the clearing of encampments.
"What's going on with the encampments is unacceptable in this state," Newsom said. "Period, full stop."
The budget also featured a $45.7 billion surplus, which could change before Newsom's proposal is revised in May, as well as a proposal for universal healthcare access for all state residents regardless of immigration status.
California legislators will now hash out the budget, but many of the proposals are likely to be approved when the budget is due to be finalized on June 15.
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