Information on Governor’s January Budget Proposal
News / Legislative News
To our RCOC Community:
On January 10, 2025, Governor Newsom released his proposed state budget for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2025. The recent Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) report showed current state tax revenues exceeding expectations and found that actions taken in fiscal year 2024-25 reflect that the budget appears roughly balanced for the coming 2025-26 fiscal year.
This is the beginning of the annual budget process, which includes meetings by the Legislature, negotiations between the Legislature and Governor, the State Legislature passing a budget bill, and ending with the Governor signing the budget agreement by June 30, 2025.
While the Governor’s budget proposal is only the first step in the process, we are encouraged that he is not proposing any reductions to money dedicated to funding our services. The Governor has proposed that all regional centers statewide receive increased funding to help even more individuals needing regional center services in the coming year.
Regional center service providers are also in the final phase of the long-overdue rate increases. Ongoing funding will also allow regional centers to continue improving service to our diverse community by providing information in several different languages.
The State is unsure how the recent fires in Southern California could impact the state’s budget. Many persons served by Regional Centers have been affected by the disaster, and we are very sad for them, and others who have lost loved ones, homes, and businesses. We do not yet know what changes might take place at the federal level.
However, unlike many other states, California’s developmental services system does not rely only on federal funding. In fact, only around one-third of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) budget comes from the federal government.
RCOC will continue its ongoing advocacy on behalf of people with developmental disabilities, and you can rely on us to do all that we can to make sure you and your family continue to have access to the vital services and supports you need.