California leaders disagree on cuts as state faces $31.5B budget deficit

The California Legislature will pass a budget bill on Thursday to continue being paid, but Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers still disagree over how to address a projected $31.5 billion deficit.
Newsom proposed cutting public transit funding by $2 billion, but lawmakers want to restore $1.1 billion of that, along with $1 billion for child care and environmental programs.
The actual size of California's budget deficit is hard to determine due to uncertainty in tax revenue, with estimates ranging from $31.5 billion to higher.
California faces chronic budget deficits in future years and the possibility of an economic recession, adding to the challenges of crafting a balanced budget.
Civil liberties groups oppose Newsom's proposal to roll back part of a law expanding oversight of police misconduct.