This week, the Legislature passed the Budget Act of 2021. This bold, responsible, and balanced budget is due to be signed by Governor Newsom prior to the constitutional deadline.
“A historic year of challenges calls for historic investments,” said Senator Sydney K. Kamlager (D – Los Angeles). “This budget is rebuilding California and rights some ships that have been sinking for some time. This is an economic justice budget. In my first term as Senator, I feel honored to vote on a budget that addresses homelessness and health care disparities, invests in education, and truly prioritizes economic and racial justice.
“This budget delivers for all of California, but I am especially proud of what we were able to secure for the 30th Senate District,” continued the Senator. “We will see record investments into culturally significant organizations, along with initiatives and efforts that have been plagued by a lack of attention at the state level. This budget will bring nearly $100 million directly into communities throughout the 30th Senate District.”
Senator Kamlager championed over $400 million in investments for California, a quarter of which will go back to residents of Senate District 30:
- Funding for transitional housing:
- $3,410,000 to Culver City for an emergency shelter and transitional housing project.
- Funding for arts and culture:
- $10,000,000 for the Museum of Tolerance, designed to help residents understand the Holocaust as well as the history of bigotry and discrimination.
- Advocated for a combined $15,000,000 to the City of Inglewood for the Market Street Streetscape Improvement Program and the Market Street Facade and Tenant Improvement Program.
- $8,000,000 to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy to support building a new facility that will provide dance education and opportunities to Black and Latino youth.
- $6,500,000 to the City of Los Angeles for Destination Crenshaw, a culturally representational public art space.
- $3,000,000 to Culver City for the New Earth Organization, aimed at reducing youth recidivism through the arts.
- $1,000,000 to the City of Los Angeles for Conga Kids, a virtual and social program teaching the dances of the African diaspora.
- Funding for sustainable transportation and farming:
- $4,000,000 to Crop Swap LA for their Urban Farming Initiative in South LA
- $1,750,000 for the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), to fund zero emission mobility solutions (i.e. transportation and food delivery systems) in Leimert Park
- Funding for health care:
- $30,000,000 for the Kedren Community Health and Acute Psychiatric Hospital.
- Advocated in support of $5,000,000 for the University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) Institute on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy and UCLA School of Law.
- Funding for education:
- $9,000,000 for the City of Los Angeles for creation of the TUMO Center with the University of Southern California (USC) Institute of Armenian Studies and $1,000,000 for the USC Institute of Armenian Studies.
Senator Kamlager also secured funding for AB 118, the C.R.I.S.E.S Act, which has been supported by a broad coalition. The funding will go towards supporting community-based alternatives to police response to 911 calls.
“If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that the status quo isn’t working. I’m thrilled to see a $10 million investment for the C.R.I.S.E.S Act,” continued Senator Kamlager. “This funding will save lives and chart a new course for how we resolve and deescalate emergencies, without the use of police. We must reengineer our criminal legal system in ways that make sense, are responsive to different communities, and keep people alive.”
Senator Kamlager also was instrumental in securing $300 million in grants for public hospitals.
Other notable statewide investments include:
- Housing and homelessness: includes a $12 billion investment aimed at addressing homelessness and expanding affordable housing, the largest investment of its kind in California’s history.
- Health care: expands Medi-Cal eligibility to Californians 50 and up, regardless of immigration status.
- Economic justice: includes $8.3 billion for Golden State stimulus checks as well as $1.5 billion for small business and non-profit grants.
- Child care: outlines 200,000 more child care slots, universal transitional kindergarten, and funding to improve facilities.
“I’m encouraged to see our state budget include investments that will help rebuild communities and uplift Californians. This is the time to be bold,” Senator Kamlager added.
