Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after the Senate today approved a 2020-21 budget proposal agreed to by Assembly and Senate Democrats:

“Today’s budget vote was a sham. It is window dressing at best because it is a budget that can be dramatically amended in the next few days. Democrat legislators are still struggling to get Governor Newsom’s approval of excessive spending and tax increases that they are promoting.

“The budget we voted on has a $9 billion tax increase on California businesses at a time when many are struggling to keep their doors open and keep their workers employed. Despite a huge deficit, this budget will spend more than $20 million to enforce AB 5, which will further hurt many workers who wish to be their own bosses.

“As I have said before, Californians have tightened their belts and the state must do the same in a way that protects core priorities. I hope whatever budget deal the Governor agrees to in the near future will be better than the one we voted on today.”