With the state seeing a rise in coronavirus case and hospitalizations, California Governor Gavin Newsom today threatened to withhold up to $2.5 billion in the upcoming state budget from local governments that don’t comply with state requirements for wearing masks, COVID testing and other measures intended to slow the spread of the virus.
“There are some that have made rhetorical comments about not giving a damn,” Newsom said today. “That’s exactly why I look forward to signing this budget that will afford me a little bit of leverage in that conversation.”
The money is intended to help local governments pay for services needed because of the pandemic. But it is contingent upon counties following emergency orders to enforce the safety measures as they gradually reopen the economy.
Newsom’s comments came as California recorded a 69% increase in new cases this week.
