California Budget Cuts Didn’t Stop Lawmakers From Funding Favorite Local Projects

Assembly members convened for a session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on September 12, 2025. Despite a staggering $12 billion deficit, California’s Legislature allocated over $415 million for local initiatives aimed at bolstering electoral prospects. CalMatters uncovered nearly 100 earmarks in a single state budget bill designated for projects that appear to benefit primarily the lawmakers' districts.These allocations, including $5 million for a San Francisco LGBTQ+ venue and $2.5 million for a private school, raise questions about fiscal priorities amid budgetary constraints. Approximately $250 million came from the recent $10 billion Proposition 4 climate bond approved by voters. Critics, including Kristen Cox of Long Beach Community Table, denounced this spending as a misallocation of resources that fails to address pressing needs. Experts suggest this trend of “pork-barrel spending” is pervasive, as politicians leverage funding for re-election prospects. The secretive earmarking process draws scrutiny, reflecting broader concerns about fiscal accountability and equitable distribution of state funds.