Gov. Newsom: Trump's executive order on unemployment benefits would cost California $700M per week

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Gavin Newsom responded Monday after President Donald Trump bypassed Congress and signed four executive orders over the weekend, including one involving unemployment benefits. Newsom said the order would cost California $700 million per week and that the amount "simply doesn't exist."

"The state does not have an identified resource of $700 million per week that we haven’t already obliged," Gov. Newsom said

Newsom said the existing CARES Act funding has already been allocated for pandemic response efforts such as schools, health and social programs.

"There isn't enough money sitting in the piggy bank," he said.

In an effort to bypass congressional negotiations and extend financial relief to tens of millions of Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, Trump signed an executive order that would extend unemployment benefits at a reduced rate of $400 a week, down from the $600 a week that expired on July 31.

Under the new order, the federal government would cover $300 in enhanced aid per person per week, and states would be responsible for the remaining $100.

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However, Newsom said a 25% unemployment assistance contribution from California would amount to $700 million a week.

According to Newsom, the state cannot shoulder the financial burden without cutting important services or further burdening businesses and individuals.

For the Golden State, Newsom said the White House proposal will leave out those of the greatest need and would delay unemployment insurance checks.

The governor said $44 billion has already been set aside by the federal government is insufficient and that funding has been allocated for other disaster relief such as wildfires.

When it comes to evictions, the Judicial Council set a guideline to halt evictions statewide on April 6, which has been extended through September 30.

More than half of Californians live in areas with local eviction moratoria in places, which includes 80 cities and 10 counties.

Newsom reported three-quarters of renters have fallen behind on rent are Latinx or Black. He said 62% of Latinx renters and 9.5% of Black renters have been unable to pay their rent as a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

The governor added he is actively working with the Legislature to protect vulnerable tenants and landlords as many residents continue to get hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Newsom’s latest press conference comes on the heels of a big shakeup. Dr. Sonia Angell, California’s top public health official, resigned abruptly Sunday with no explanation.

Angell’s announcement comes after California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said a technological glitch caused up to 300,000 coronavirus records to be backlogged, though not all were coronavirus cases and some could be duplicates.

The problem affected the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange, also known as CalREDIE.

Newsom addressed the issue and said the state has processed 295,000 cases and that they will be added to the state's database with 48-72 hours.

KTVU contributed to this report.