Newsom’s budget would add billions to fight drought, fires and boost California farms
A home burns on Highway 89 south of Greenville, California, near Forgay Road during the Dixie fire on August 5, 2021. - Nathaniel Levine/Sacramento Bee/TNS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday will propose spending billions of additional dollars on drought response, wildfire suppression and rural workforce development programs, according to budget documents reviewed by The Sacramento Bee. The governor’s plan includes $750 million in one-time money to help communities affected by the drought, including for water conservation, water efficiency, replenishing groundwater supplies and helping small farmers. That money comes on top of $5.2 billion Newsom and lawmakers approved last year for drought response and will build on clean drinking ...