SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris released the following statement following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of the final 2021-22 budget trailer bills:
“Over the past year, California has navigated a period of unprecedented challenge. As we emerge from this pandemic, the 2021-22 budget is a historic opportunity to set California on a robust path to recovery. It is with great pride that I can announce significant investments I’ve helped secure for our District:
- $21 million for historic cottage rehabilitation at Crystal Cove State Park
- $18.8 million for the Orange Coast Community College Chemistry Building
- $14.3 million to support fighting wildfires in Orange County
- $8 million for the preservation of Banning Ranch
- $5 million for the County of Orange for the Be Well OC Campus in Irvine
- $2.5 million for a Regional Fire and Rescue Facility in the City of Costa Mesa
- $1 million for fire prevention in Bommer Canyon in the City of Irvine
- $500 million to fund mitigation efforts to protect the California coast from sea-level rise. My bill, AB 65, ensures these funds will be prioritized for the use of green, natural infrastructure that will protect us from rising seas without harming habitats.
“I am proud to share that this budget makes meaningful investments across California in education, climate resilience and wildfire preparedness, healthcare, and addressing the statewide housing and homelessness crisis:
- $1.5 billion in additional relief grants for businesses and nonprofits
- An unprecedented investment in our K-12 students — $21,000 per pupil, per year
- Funding for Universal Transitional Kindergarten statewide
- 200,000 new childcare slots statewide
- $180 million to boost California resident enrollment in the UC and CSU systems
- $2 billion over the next three years for student housing at community colleges, CSU, and UC
- $3.7 billion investment in wildfire prevention, drought mitigation, and key climate resiliency initiatives
- $12 billion in funds to combat homelessness, with strict accountability for the use of these funds
- In addition to the $536 million early action package, the budget provides $988 million for wildfire prevention and forest health
- $6 billion over a three year period for broadband infrastructure and improved access to broadband services throughout the state
- $1 billion for workforce development including training, education, and “upskilling”
“I also supported a number of other projects that will benefit our Orange County community:
- $30 million for organizations, including the OC Food Bank, to provide diapers to low-income families with infants and toddlers
- $28.5 million for West Coyote Hills to acquire open space
- $14.5 million for the City of Irvine for the completion of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail
- $7.8 million to extend and expand the North Orange County Public Safety Task Force.
- $6 million to the City of Santa Ana and Discovery Cube of Orange County for Santa Ana youth facilities
- $5.5 million to the City of Anaheim for the Kona Motel acquisition for housing needs
- $5 million to the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon
- $4 million to the City of Fullerton, for the Navigation Center for Homelessness and Recuperative Care, Illumination Foundation
- $2.75 million to revitalize the Hunt Library in the City of Fullerton
- $2.5 million to the City of Anaheim for the Anaheim Family YMCA
- $2.75 million for City of Fullerton Hunt Branch Library Restoration
- $1 million to support California State University, Fullerton Arboretum
- $500,000 for the Museum of Teaching and Learning (MOTAL)
“A budget is a statement of values, and this year’s budget opens windows of opportunity and invests billions in California’s future. This budget also ensures that we continue to build on a strong foundation with a record $25.5 billion in reserves.”
These appropriations were included in SB 170, the Budget Act of 2021.