The state Assembly has a bill that would cover all immigrants in California living in the country illegally over the age of 19.
But Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsome has balked at that plan because of its estimated $3.4 billion price.
He says “there’s 3.4 billion reasons why it is a challenge.”
The state Senate wants to cover adults ages 19 to 25, plus seniors 65 and older. That bill’s sponsor, Sen. Maria Elana Durazo, scoffed at cost concerns, noting the state has a projected $21.5 billion budget surplus.
Durazo says “when we have, you know, a good budget, then what’s the reason for not addressing it?”