House Speaker warns California Dems about mismanagement of federal funds amid ongoing crises
California: House Speaker Mike Johnson is sounding the alarm. He’s saying no more blank checks for California Democrats. They’ve shown they can’t handle the money right.
He pointed out the state’s issues with managing water and forests. Johnson believes any federal aid should come with strings attached. He’s worried that state leaders haven’t done their jobs properly.
It’s super important for California to use any funds wisely. If there’s no clear oversight, money could easily go missing or be spent poorly.
Remember the COVID-19 mess? The state couldn’t even track $55 billion in unemployment benefits. That’s a huge red flag.
If funds are rushed out without checks, we might see the same problems again. California’s handling of public money has been under fire for a while, especially with the high-speed rail project.
This project was supposed to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles, but costs have skyrocketed. Now, it’s estimated to cost between $89 and $128 billion for a much shorter route.
Congressman Kevin Kiley even introduced a bill to cut federal funding for this project, calling it a failure. He argues there’s no way to justify the costs to taxpayers.
Homelessness is another big issue. Despite spending $24 billion over the last five years, the number of homeless people has actually gone up by 3% this year.
The main problems, like drug addiction and mental health, are still not being tackled. The state’s “Housing First” policy isn’t working well either, as it doesn’t address these root issues.
Governor Gavin Newsom has faced criticism for pushing more funding into programs that aren’t delivering results. With all this in mind, it’s crucial to take a step back before handing out more federal money.
People in California, especially in Los Angeles, want a smarter, more accountable way to manage funds. They’re tired of the same mistakes happening over and over.
Erica Sandberg is a freelance journalist and host of the San Francisco Beat.
