Monterey County public health leaders react to Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget cuts

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV): Local health officials are growing concerned after Governor Gavin Newsom proposed cutting $300 million in public health funding across the state.

$56 billion is the deficit the state is facing over the next two years according to Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom said last week cuts will be made in multiple agencies, including $300 million from Public Health Departments.

"Detrimental, again we're moving backwards." said Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director for the Monterey County Health Department.

Monterey Public Health leaders said they were thinking of adding 24 positions if they got the funding they were supposed to get from the state, but now it's up in the air.

"Many counties like my own will not have access revenue within our existing budget, to be able to cover all of the positions that we added," said Jimenez. "Again, on this promise of on-going investments."

Jiminez said they have been able to invest in public health programs, laboratories, and created a housing project for community well being.

Jimenez said the $200 million that is coming to local health departments is simply not enough.

Other cuts will go to the Middle School Scholarship program for college students, by $510-million dollars annually. State childcare programs are also facing cuts with this proposal.