(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom presented the full scope of his $100 billion California Comeback Plan to the Legislature. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) commends the Governor on his reimagined 2021-22 California Budget May revision process, which has put forward a groundbreaking investment plan.
“Our brighter fiscal outlook allows us to invest in Californians, directing additional COVID-19 relief funding to our most vulnerable as well as addressing long-standing disparities that predate this pandemic. I commend the Governor’s California Comeback Plan, which is reflective of my district’s most urgent concerns such as immediate economic relief, broadband connectivity, affordable housing and homelessness, small business support, education, and the Salton Sea,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.
“As the Legislature considers our upcoming state budget, I believe the best use for these unexpected funds is to invest them directly back to the people who have been impacted the most. The current proposal would expand our Golden State Stimulus to reach two out of every three Californians as well as increase much-needed rental and utility assistance programs. California is poised to make game-changing investments that will help uplift underserved communities like ours.”
Assemblymember Garcia, a longtime champion for internet access and member of the California Department of Education’s Closing the Digital Divide Task Force, was particularly excited to see investments laid out for broadband infrastructure expansion that align with his current legislative efforts.
“After prioritizing high-speed, affordable, internet accessibility in the Legislature, I am glad that investments for broadband take center stage in Governor Newsom’s California Comeback Plan. We are looking at $7 billion to expand broadband infrastructure, including support for local government and tribal communities to build out and increase access. Too many California communities remain trapped on the wrong side of the digital divide, and we need big investments to match the scale of this problem.”
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia’s Highlights:
Broadband Internet Access
$7 Billion to Expand Broadband Infrastructure and Enhance Access
Economic Relief
Golden State Stimulus Checks
- Nearly $12 Billion Total Investment: 2 Out Of Every 3 Californians Will Receive Golden State Stimulus Checks
Largest Statewide Renter Assistance Program In The Nation
- $5.2 Billion for Low-Income Rental Aid
- $2 Billion Past-Due Water and Utility Bills
- $60 Million Tenant Legal Services
Affordable Housing and Homelessness
$12 Billion to Tackle Homelessness
- $7 Billion Homekey
- $1.75 Billion Affordable Housing
- $447 Million Student Homelessness
- $53 Million Encampment Strategies
- $150 Million Project Roomkey
Small Business and Economy
Largest Small Business Grant Program and Tax Cut in the Nation
- Additional $1.5 Billion California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, for $4 Billion Total Investment
- Earlier Signed $6.2 Billion Tax Cut for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Recipients
$3.6 Billion Growing California Workforce
$50 Million IBank’s Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
$95 Million to Jump-Start Travel and Tourism Industry
Historic Education and Youth Investments
School Equity
- $1 Billion Summer School, Before and After-School for Children in Low-Income Communities
- $4 Billion over Five Years to Youth Behavioral Health System (ages 0-25)
- $150 Million Universal Meal Program
$3.4 Billion Universal Pre-K
- Universal Transitional Kindergarten by 2024
- Reducing Class Sizes
- 100,000 New Childcare Slots
Savings Accounts For 3.7 Million Kids
- $2 Billion Savings Accounts for K-12 Public Schools Students: $500 base deposit for students from low-income families, English learners and foster youth, and a $500 supplemental deposit for foster and homeless youth.
Drought, Climate Change, and Environment
$5.1 Billion Drought Resilience
- $1.3 Billion for Drinking Water/Wastewater Infrastructure
$ 2 Billion Wildfire and Emergency Response
$3.2 Billion Zero Emission Vehicle Goals by 2035
Salton Sea
$220 Million Salton Sea Over Two Years: $50 Million This Year
Parks
$108.1 Million Outdoor Equity Grants Program
$95.3 Million California Indian Heritage Center
Transportation and Beautification of California
$430 Million State Beautification and Safety Projects on Dividing Highways
$444 Million Local Beautification Projects Near Transit Centers
$75 Million Art Installations State and Local Transportation Systems
More California Budget Revision Information: www.ebudget.ca.gov
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Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.
