Senate subcommittee rejects $5 million "belonging" campaign; members cite weak metrics and tight budget

The subcommittee voted to reject a $5 million, one‑time general fund request from the Governor's Office of Service and Community Engagement to launch a statewide "belonging" initiative intended to build social connection, reduce isolation and better link communities to existing state programs.

GoServe staff described the proposal as a campaign to boost awareness of state resources that address social disconnection, fund community outreach grants and conduct data‑driven research to identify communities with higher need. The office said the work would uplift existing programs, support targeted local outreach and award small grants to community‑based organizations engaging neighborhoods.

The Legislative Analyst's Office recommended rejecting the item given the state's fiscal constraints and questioned how belonging would be defined and measured; LAO said the proposed activities largely amounted to outreach about existing programs rather than new, measurable interventions.

Committee members expressed concern that the proposal lacked clear, measurable outcomes and is a lower priority than substantial budget needs the state faces, including affordable housing, homelessness response and higher education cuts. In the roll call, Senators Cabaldon and Nilo voted "aye" on the motion to reject; the motion carried and the item was rejected.

The committee noted the conceptual importance of reducing social isolation but concluded the administration had not provided sufficient metrics or a ready evaluation plan to justify a new general fund appropriation at this time.