"California Governor Newsom and Lawmakers Tackle $73B Budget Deficit with $17B in Cuts"

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing a $73 billion budget deficit, which some lawmakers attribute to his "mismanagement of state finances." Democratic lawmakers have reached an agreement to reduce the deficit by $17.3 billion through spending cuts and deferrals, a move criticized by Republican lawmakers as "gimmicky." The deficit is attributed to an economic slowdown, high unemployment, and an exodus of businesses and residents from the state. Critics also point to progressive policies such as taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants as contributing factors to the state's financial woes.