Sen. Megan Dahle, R-Bieber, issued the following statement today after voting No on the majority party’s budget bill:
Today, I voted no on Senate Bill 101, the California Budget Act of 2025.
During the floor debate, nearly every speaker from the majority party blamed California’s budget shortfall on the federal government and the current administration. What they failed to acknowledge was the years of poor planning, overspending, and repeated warnings that brought us to this point. For years, my Republican colleagues and I have called for fiscal responsibility and sounded the alarm about our growing deficit. Shifting blame is not leadership—it’s denial.
This budget does not reflect the values or priorities of most Californians, especially those in rural communities. It fails to fully fund Proposition 36, which was passed by an overwhelming majority of voters across all 58 counties. While the budget provides some one-time funding, it falls well short of what’s needed. Californians called for lasting, structural investment in public safety and rehabilitation services. That call was left unanswered by Governor Newsom and the supermajority.
Rural legislators often have to fight just to ensure our communities are treated fairly. Today I heard praise on the floor for budget provisions aimed at supporting students in urban areas of Southern California dealing with fire-related trauma—an effort I support. But let’s be clear: students in rural communities face these same hardships and are far too often left behind when it comes to mental health support and recovery services. This is just one more example of how the supermajority continues to govern through a narrow lens—out of touch with the full scope of California’s needs. This is not how good transparent governance works.
Californians deserve honest leadership—leaders who acknowledge hard truths and make responsible choices. I will continue to stand up for our communities and fight for a budget that respects taxpayers, reflects our values, and invests in a sustainable future.