Newsom’s Budget Puts California Crime Victims Last

Governor Gavin Newsom spoke recently at Cal State Stanislaus to highlight his workforce initiatives, and he used the opportunity to introduce his 2025–2026 budget. At over $322 billion, it represents the largest budget in state history. In fact, it is the largest budget of any state — ever — and has been so throughout Newsom’s six years as governor. According to KFF.org (the former Kaiser Family Foundation), per capita state-government spending in California is $10,556, putting California in the top tier of spending per resident. Alaska is the highest at $21,485, and Texas is the lowest at $4,462.

State budgets are exceptionally complex documents full of granular data, but a bird’s-eye view of spending places our tax dollars in a number of buckets of broad spending categories. On top are health and human services and education. Near the bottom is public safety, and at the very bottom are California’s crime victims.

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Steve Smith

Steve Smith is a former peace officer and college instructor and is a senior fellow with the Pacific Research Institute.

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Gavin Newsom

Governor Gavin Newsom spoke recently at Cal State Stanislaus to highlight his workforce initiatives, and he used the opportunity to introduce his 2025–2026 budget. At over $322 billion, it represents the largest budget in state history. In fact, it is the largest budget of any state — ever — and has been so throughout Newsom’s six years as governor. According to KFF.org (the former Kaiser Family Foundation), per capita state-government spending in California is $10,556, putting California in the top tier of spending per resident. Alaska is the highest at $21,485, and Texas is the lowest at $4,462.

State budgets are exceptionally complex documents full of granular data, but a bird’s-eye view of spending places our tax dollars in a number of buckets of broad spending categories. On top are health and human services and education. Near the bottom is public safety, and at the very bottom are California’s crime victims.