As California's state budget deficit continues to balloon, Democratic lawmakers want to move forward with a bill that would provide unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants who become unemployed. Last Friday, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom reported that the state's deficit grew to $32 billion, $10 billion more than the previous year. However, SB 227 or the Safety Net for All Workers Act would provide terminated illegal immigrants with$300 per week for up to 20 weeks of funding from state coffers. Already last March, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution in support of this statewide bill.
However, the Safety Net for All coalition, a group of more than 120 organizations from across California seeking to expand welfare programs for undocumented workers, estimates that illegals contribute $485 million to the state's Unemployment Insurance system annually. The same organization claims that the weekly checks plus the administrative costs of the proposed legislation will cost state funds $356 million.
A project vetoed last year
On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee will review the proposed legislation and, if so, refer a bill to the floor. California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill that passed last year with the explanation that "the bill needs more work to address operational issues and fiscal concerns." However, last Friday, while announcing the significant increase in the public deficit, Newsom emphasized that has not been "an easy budgetBut I hope they see that we are trying our best to hold the line and take care of the most vulnerable and needy, while maintaining prudence," Newsom said. In a clear message with electoral overtones.
