Senator Steven Bradford (Courtesy photo)

Recently, the Budget Bill for fiscal year 2019-2020 was passed by the Senate and Assembly after long negotiations between both houses and the Governor’s Administration. The new budget includes the state’s largest reserves in history, pays down billions of dollars to our state’s pension debt, and prioritizes one-time investments aimed at tackling the main issues driving California’s affordability crisis.

“In the Legislature, we argue for the allocation of California taxpayer dollars where they are most needed and where they can have the biggest impact,” said Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena). “That is why this year, we have record-setting investments in education, billions to local governments to help address our housing and homelessness crisis, the expansion of health coverage and programs such as CalWORKS and the Earned Income Tax Credit, and provided over $130 million in on-going funding to ensure clean drinking water for all Californians.”

In addition to the state’s largest, key investments, Senator Bradford was also successful at securing his own member requests through the budget process. This includes

• $40 million for the support, development and expansion of local cannabis equity programs to ensure an inclusive and diverse cannabis industry, particularly focused on owners and operators who have been most impacted by cannabis prohibition.

• $7.5 million for Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science to increase support services and growth of student enrollment for Charles Drew University.

• $5 million in ongoing funding for Community Based Organizations to establish, sustain or improve innovative and transformative rehabilitation programs at CDCR facilities.

• $1 million to help former foster youth recover or pay for their higher education costs and become mental health service providers.

“I am thrilled with this year’s budget, which makes significant investments in critical areas that help uplift our state and believe it reaffirms an ongoing commitment to our state’s long term economic stability. We face many issues and challenges in the Legislature that divides us, but our budget shouldn’t be one. We have plenty here that we all should celebrate,” Senator Bradford continued.