Senator Cortese’s Statement on Governor’s 2023-24 State Budget Proposal & Youth Fentanyl Overdose Prevention Investments

Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) made the following statement after California Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2023-24 State Budget proposal was released this morning in Sacramento:

“This fiscal year, the State Legislature is tasked with closing a projected budget deficit of at least $24 billion. I applaud Governor Gavin Newsom for presenting a budget that cautiously tackles our shortfalls while sustaining critical safety net investments that Californians depend on.

Fiscal prudence during an historic surplus over the past two years has allowed us to protect essential programs such as universal early learning, subsidized childcare, and reproductive health.  

I am particularly pleased to see investments that are aligned with the framework of my bill, SB 10, that will protect our youth from fentanyl poising and overdoses, and I look forward to working with Governor Newsom to ensure these investments are passed in our final budget. The proposed budget includes a $79 million increase in the state’s Naloxone Distribution Project and $3.5 million to provide opioid antagonists to all middle and high schools in California. Through public education, awareness, prevention and accessibility to resources, we will save lives.”

For more information, contact Tara Sreekrishnan, Office of Senator Dave Cortese at 408 480 7833 or tara.sreekrishnan@sen.ca.gov.