California Gov. Jerry Brown proposed Thursday to increase the budget of Attorney General Xavier Becerra to pay for continuing the barrage of lawsuits that have been filed challenging executive orders by President Donald Trump on immigration, the environment and health care.
The revised budget adds $6.5 million to provide 31 new positions for the state Department of Justice.
"There are unique litigation expenses right now and the attorney general feels that he wants to pursue those and I think he should be given some latitude," Brown told reporters. "There are some real legal issues (raised) by Mr. Trump and his deputies there in Washington. We do have to defend our rights. I think as an initial investment its reasonable but certainly I would be watching it carefully over the next year."
