Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  • Immigration
  •  

California Approves Largest-Ever Budget

  •  Ben Bradford 
  •  Julia Mitric 
Thursday, June 15, 2017 | Sacramento, CA
Alan Cordova / Flickr
 

Alan Cordova / Flickr

June 15, 6:40 P.M.: California Moves To Bar Local Government From Immigrant Detention Contracts

The California state budget package approved Thursday includes a measure that seeks to prevent local jurisdictions from contracting out space for immigrant detention.

Several California cities and counties now sign contracts with federal officials to rent out immigrant detention space, typically in local jails. The budget measure would bar that practice. Existing contracts would stand, but officials could not expand the agreements.

The measure would also give state attorney general power to review conditions at detention facilities.

State Senator Ricardo Lara, a Democrat from Bell Gardens, spoke in favor of the measure:

“California continues to have to stand alone, and demonstrate to the rest of the world and this country that we are a civilized society and that we care about human conditions, regardless of where you come from,” says Lara.

In an emailed statement, U.S. Immigration and Customs officials say if they can’t rent detention space from local governments in California, they’ll find other options. They may need to transfer individuals outside of the state.

Leslie Berestein Rojas / KPCC 


June 15, 6:37 P.M.: California Approves Largest-Ever Budget

The California Legislature has passed a $125 billion spending plan, its largest-ever budget, Thursday. 

In a compromise between Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown, the plan funds much of what the governor had proposed cutting.

"This bill is the culmination of months of consideration, deliberation, and negotiation in the Legislature and with the administration," Senate Budget Chair Holly Mitchell said.

It started with Gov. Brown in January predicting sluggish revenue and scaling back legislative priorities. He planned to slow education funding increases, freeze child care provider rates, and phase out a middle-class college scholarship. Through negotiation and a rosier budget outlook, none of those cuts will occur.

As usual, the budget’s support falls largely along party lines. Senate Republican leader Pat Bates argued new gas and tobacco taxes aren’t used as voters intended.

"A full loaf is what was promised, and we’re giving them a half a loaf," Bates said. "And we should be baking a better loaf."

Once signed by the governor, the new budget takes effect July 1.

CapRadio will provide more updates on the state budget deal throughout the day.

Ben Bradford / Capital Public Radio


June 15, 5:22 P.M.: Budget Includes Use Of Tobacco Tax Revenue To Fund Higher Payments For Medi-Cal Providers

California’s increased tobacco tax will fund higher payments for Medi-Cal providers, under a budget deal between Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers.

Gov. Brown had proposed using the funding to backfill rising costs of the Medi-Cal program.

"This is going to make a significant difference." Democratic Sen. Richard Pan said. "Now, are we all the way yet? Can we do more? I would say yes. However, this is a substantial step forward."

Physicians and dentists will receive an extra $465 million for Medi-Cal services, about half the projected tobacco tax revenue.

Republican Sen. Jeff Stone argued it's still not enough to incentivize doctors.

"They lose money on the Medi-Cal population," Stone said. "And as a result, many doctors still will not treat new Medi-Cal patients."

Physician groups argue that voters approved the tobacco tax with the understanding it would pay for increased care.

Ben Bradford / Capital Public Radio 



June 15, 4:55 P.M.:  Budget Deal Aligns State Rules Governing Medical, Recreational Marijuana

As part of the state budget package, California lawmakers passed a bill Thursday to align state rules governing medical and recreational marijuana.

Under Proposition 64 the state faces a Jan. 1 deadline to get the legalized system going.

Democratic Senator Mike McGuire, who helped craft the cannabis legislation, said funding from the bill will be used to develop and implement a "track and trace" program.

"Which we desperately need to be able to be able to track all cannabis-related taxes as well as the product itself," McGuire said. "What I will tell you is, we will not hit that deadline of Jan. 1, 2018, to be able to get all cultivators, all taxpayers in the system."

Republican Assemblyman Tom Lackey is a former California Highway Patrol officer. He's pleased to see the interests of law enforcement reflected in the cannabis legislation.

That includes $3 million in funding for law enforcement training. Lackey argues it's needed to shift the mindset focused on detecting alcohol impairment.

"We are always aware of other forms of impairment but it's predominantly alcohol," Lackey said. "That's what we're very good at. And now we need to progress because the new rising threat is drugs. And how they mix with alcohol. And that's where we need to get better."

Lackey expects the cannabis bill will strengthen the hand of law enforcement against illicit marijuana grows by defining who's "playing by the rules" and who's not.

The cannabis bill now advances to Gov. Jerry Brown, who helped craft the measure and is expected to sign it.

Julia Mitric / Capital Public Radio


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about California Budget 2017

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    California Budget 2017

    Complete coverage of California's budgeting process for the year 2017-2018 — from Gov. Jerry Brown's initial and revised proposals, to expert analysis and lawmaker reactions, to debate, revisions and eventual passage.

    Related Stories

  • California Legislature Approves $125 Billion Budget, The Largest To Date

    Friday, June 16, 2017
    The Legislature successfully passed a $125 billion budget for the fiscal year which progressive priorities pushed through. Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler discusses how the money is being spent and where some of the controversy lies.

 California Budget 2017

Ben Bradford

Former State Government Reporter

As the State Government Reporter, Ben covered California politics, policy and the interaction between the two. He previously reported on local and state politics, business, energy, and environment for WFAE in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Read Full Bio 

 @JBenBradford Email Ben Bradford

Julia Mitric

Former Food And Sustainability Reporter

For Julia, food and life are inseparable.   Read Full Bio 

More State Government Stories

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File

A California bill would limit housing security deposits to one month’s rent

May 23, 2023

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

This law should reveal who’s paying for California legislators’ travel. It’s only been used twice

May 21, 2023

Lauren Justice/CalMatters

New report says Cal State has $1.5 billion funding gap, suggests tuition hikes

May 26, 2023

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.