Citing budget constraints and limited funding in the state’s housing assistance programs, California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Sept. 6 that would have expanded eligibility to include illegal immigrants.
“Given the finite funding available for [California’s Housing and Finance Agency] programs, expanding program eligibility must be carefully considered within the broader context of the annual state budget to ensure we manage our resources effectively,” Newsom said in a veto letter sent to the Assembly.
The governor has repeatedly used concerns about the budget to veto bills over the past two years.
In 2023, he rejected about 15 percent of bills sent to his desk, and 50 veto letters contained verbiage explaining the need to preserve resources due to the state’s fiscal condition.
Assembly Bill 1840, introduced by Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, passed the Legislature Aug. 28 and would have prohibited the California Dream for All and other housing assistance programs that provide down payment money for first-time homebuyers from excluding applicants based solely on immigration status.