California lawmakers on Monday approved a $262.6 billion operating budget, which may include more financial help for struggling Californians amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the budget into law before Thursday. The operating budget is an agreement between the governor and state Democrats. Here’s what in it, as reported by the Associated Press:
Stimulus For Businesses and Taxpayers
Under the new budget, adults with children and earning $30,000 a year would receive $500 in stimulus payments. Adults without children earning between $30,000 and $75,000 would receive $600, with the payment increasing up to $1,100 if they do have children.
For people who file their taxes using a taxpayer identification number, adults with children earning less than $30,000 and adults with children earning between $30,000 and $75,000 will both receive $1,000.
Free Kindergarten For 4-Year-Olds
The budget would provide funding to expand California’s two-year kindergarten program. The new budget would now make kindergarten accessible and free to all 4-year-olds.
Medicaid Expansion
The state’s budget would also pay for the health care costs for low-income immigrants aged 50 and above and living in the country illegally.
Free School Lunch
The operational budget will allocate $54 million this year and $650 million in succeeding years to give public school students free breakfast and lunch.
