Newsom proposes $300 million 2021 budget allocation for state infrastructure “greening” and maintenance

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed $4.5 billion 2021 budget includes $300 million for the maintenance and “greening” of the state’s infrastructure.

CNBC reports the proposal would allow installation of electric vehicle charging stations at all state-owned facilities.

The governor has said the state should expand “interest-free payment options for larger businesses particularly affected by significant restrictions on operations due to Covid-19,” and suggested $430 million in incentives and grants for businesses that “locate in California to stay, grow and create quality full-time jobs in the state” and to “support job creation and investments in infrastructure,

The 2021 proposal by Newsom in early January includes $1.5 billion to help people and businesses purchase electric or hydrogen vehicles and equipment, and to invest in construction and maintenance of charging and fueling infrastructure, which would be needed to support expanded use of these vehicles in the state.

After a year of extreme wildfires harming his constituents and the California economy, Newsom has said many times over that he views pollution and climate change as an emergency that requires immediate action, CNBC reported.

The governor also said the state should expand “interest-free payment options for larger businesses particularly affected by significant restrictions on operations due to Covid-19,” and proposed $430 million in incentives and grants for businesses that “locate in California to stay, grow and create quality full-time jobs in the state” and to “support job creation and investments in infrastructure,” according to the pubished report.