FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2025
LeadingAge California Statement on Governor Newsom’s May Budget Revision
SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Gavin Newsom’s May Budget Revision for Fiscal Year 2025–2026 proposes challenging cuts to critical health and long-term care services for aging communities. LeadingAge California urges the Governor and Legislature to find balanced solutions that protect essential services and uphold the well-being of older Californians.
We acknowledge the complexities of a projected $12 billion revenue shortfall resulting from broader national economic disruptions and we appreciate the Governor’s attempt to balance the budget responsibly, in part by drawing from reserves to prevent deeper structural deficits in future years. However, we are alarmed by the disproportionate burden these corrective actions place on older adults, particularly those who are low-income, undocumented or living with chronic health conditions.
These cuts, along with no new funding for housing and homelessness, could hinder progress on the Governor’s stated priority of advancing the needs of older adults through the Master Plan for Aging. Stable health care and in-home services are essential to preventing housing loss among older adults. By cutting these supports, the state risks pushing more aging Californians into crisis, institutional settings, or homelessness—outcomes that are costlier in the long run.
As California’s leading voice for aging services providers, we urge the Governor and Legislature to pursue balanced, community-oriented solutions that safeguard essential services while protecting the dignity and independence of all older adults. These choices reflect not only budgetary priorities, but the core values of our state. We remain committed to working collaboratively with the Governor and Legislature on these priorities.
