SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach), Chair of the Accountability & Administrative Review Committee, released the following statement after voting for Senate Bill 129, the 2021-22 state budget bill:
“A budget is a statement of values, and this year’s budget opens windows of opportunity and invests billions in California’s future.
“We’ve been working for months to put money directly into the hands of small business owners and families, and these budget actions equal $14.7 billion in relief that will boost a robust path to recovery for our communities.
“The ravages of the climate crisis are being felt in every corner of California - raging wildfires, severe drought, rising seas and 100 year floods. Over the next three years, we will invest $3.7 billion to build climate resilience and safeguard California.
“While the scale of the homelessness crisis is staggering, we have the strategies, resources and will to solve it. With more than $12 billion in new funding for housing and homelessness programs over the next two years we are acting now to save lives and heal our communities. This spending comes with strong oversight and accountability to ensure the funds are put to work to successfully alleviate homelessness.
“This year’s budget – and this historic budget surplus – gives us the opportunity to think bold and to think big. To tackle California’s most intractable challenges. This budget also ensures that we continue to build on a strong foundation. With this budget package, reserves will be a record $25.5 billion in 2021-22. As Accountability Chair, I’ll continue pushing to increase state reserves, enhance budget resilience and create economic opportunity to fuel California’s long-term growth.”
AB 129 now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.