Dan Walters: Newsom’s $18 billion budget gap has roots in pandemic aid ending

Dan Walters: Newsom’s $18 billion budget gap has roots in pandemic aid ending

When Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils his first draft of the state’s 2026-27 budget next month, he’ll reveal whether he intends to deal squarely with its chronic, multi-billion-dollar deficit or punt the shortfall to his successor. Legislative Analyst Gabe Petek, the Legislature’s independent fiscal advisor, estimates the state faces an $18 billion gap between projected spending and likely revenues next year and, if left unaddressed, the deficit will g…