Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposes a significant “augmentation” to California’s tourism budget . He wants to bump the budget next fiscal year from $7.3 to $10 million, with a $15 million match from the industry.

The augmentation is noted under Section 0520, Secretary for Business, Transportation and Housing, under “Major Program Changes:

“California Tourism Marketing Program Budget Augmentation - The Budget includes a $2.7 million General Fund augmentation to advertise and market California as a travel and tourism destination. Total state funding of $10 million will be matched by $15 million in private contributions. Combined, these monies will fund a $25 million advertising and marketing campaign which will generate an estimated $3.8 billion in additional travel expenditures, $85 million in additional tax revenues, and support 41,000 jobs.”

The budget proposal now goes to the state legislature for consideration. Fiscal year 2007 begins July 1, 2006.