SACRAMENTO (June 16, 2026) – Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) issued the following statement after voting against the 2026-27 state budget package approved by the Legislature.This budget ignores funding priorities that would have improved the lives of Californians throughout the state.
“California does not have a revenue problem; it has a spending addiction.The main budget bill, AB 109, proposes an estimated $355.9 billion total in 2026-27, the highest spending level in California history. The 976-page budget is full of bad policy and, unbelievably, taxes, taxes and more taxes that will continue making this State less affordable. Even the nonpartisan Legislative Budget Analyst states this budget is unsustainable,” said Assemblymember Dixon.
Instead of focusing on state priorities like affordability, growing small business and job creation, the proposal focuses on the wrong areas while leaving vital funding priorities completely out of the equation. An overview of this year’s budget:
- Funds full-scope Medi-Cal for undocumented immigrants
- Fails to provide relief from California’s escalating gas taxes
- Provides no funding for wildfire prevention
- Provides no money for surface reservoir water storage projects
- Ignores Proposition 35, which would ensure that Medi-Cal providers receive the funding needed to properly serve our communities
- Underfunds Proposition 36, which voters approved to hold repeat offenders accountable and expand treatment options
- Continues funding for abortion and gender-affirming care services
- Continues funding for undocumented immigrant legal services
- Continues funding for the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project
“The budget reflects how out of touch the Governor and Democratic supermajority is with everyday Californians. Year after year, these priorities funded in the proposal do nothing to improve public safety, tackle fraud, or improve affordability,” said Assemblymember Dixon. “Unfortunately, there will be a number of budget trailer bills over the next month, and I expect them to share these same misaligned priorities.”
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Assemblymember Diane Dixon, R-Newport Beach, is a pragmatic businesswoman and former Mayor, who represents the 72nd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods and Lake Forest.