It would be even worse but for the windfall California received from the "covid relief" funding. That funding cleared budget deficits and unfunded pensions in blue states.
https://thefederalist.com/2022/11/22/did-californias-25b-budget-deficit-just-tank-gavin-newsoms-presidential-dreams/
https://thefederalist.com/2022/11/22/did-californias-25b-budget-deficit-just-tank-gavin-newsoms-presidential-dreams/
The Federalist
$25B State Budget Deficit A Blow to Newsom’s Presidential Hopes
California Gov. Gavin Newsom just saw his path to the White House become even more difficult as a $25 billion budget deficit was announced.