For immediate release:
(SACRAMENTO) – Today, both houses of the state Legislature approved the 2019-20 state budget and Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) issued the following statement:
“The Legislature has passed an on-time and balanced budget that prioritizes investments in our residents’ health, education and housing. I’m proud that my first budget vote takes bold steps to help more people in our communities live the California dream. Together, with the Senate and Governor, we have crafted a budget that takes historic steps to help all Californians today, while laying the foundation for an even brighter tomorrow.”
Budget Highlights Include:
- Record $81 billion for our public schools and community colleges
- Increased investments in preschool and childcare with over 20,000 additional children covered
- $89 million to bring more teachers into public school classrooms through the Golden State Teacher Grant Program authored by Assemblymember Rivas
- Progress towards universal healthcare with support to help low and middle income Californians afford care, and expansion of Medi-Cal to young adults ages 19-25, regardless of immigration status
- Expands Paid Family Leave to eight weeks
- Over $100 million per year to provide access to clean drinking water
- $500 million for infrastructure to boost needed housing construction
- $500 million to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
- $250 million to help local jurisdictions meet regional housing needs
- $650 million to help local jurisdictions address the homelessness crisis
- Tens of millions of dollars of additional investment to ensure a complete count in the 2020 Census
- Critical investment in budget resiliency with an estimated $16.5 billion in the Prop 2 rainy day fund
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