Governor signs $115 billion budget, public safety funds for Lemoore included

Governor signs $115 billion budget, public safety funds for Lemoore included

Governor Jerry Brown signed a revised version of the budget this week. Local Assemblymember Rudy Salas worked to secure vital resources for the Central Valley in the budget; including $5 million for public safety infrastructure in the cities of Avenal, Corcoran, and Lemoore in Kings County.

“The budget agreement balances fiscal responsibility and much needed investments to improve the lives of Californians,” said Salas. “We are building reserves and paying down debts, increasing funding for education, providing money for those suffering from drought, and providing resources to keep our communities safe.”

Consistent with prudent May Revision revenue estimates, the budget agreement saves billions of dollars and pays down debt, while directing more resources to schools and low-income Californians. The budget also funds Veterans Services, Seismic Safety Improvements, Arts Council Funding, local Public Safety and more.

The following are major provisions of the 2015-2016 Budget:

Building reserves and paying down debt: The 2015-16 Budget includes $4.6 billion in reserves and repays $1.9 billion in debt. If revenues grow more in line with the LAO projection, than with the Department of Finance numbers that this budget is based on, then reserves will grow even higher.

Investing in education: This budget has more than $14 billion in new funding for schools and community colleges in onetime and ongoing money. $500 million is included for a one-time teacher effectiveness block grant to help improve performance in the classroom. This budget provides an additional $97 million to CSU and an additional $25 million to UC, contingent upon increasing enrollment for California students and capping enrollment for out-of-state students. This budget expands the number of Competitive Cal Grants by almost 15% and will lower

tuition at CSU and UC for middle income families by 20% through the Assembly-championed Middle Class Scholarship.

Water: The budget also includes $162 million to address statewide drought impacts, $132 million for water recycling, and $180 for safe drinking water.

Reducing Poverty: The budget includes $380 million for a state Earned Income Tax Credit that will benefit over two million Californians and lift approximately 50,000 out of poverty and another 50,000 out of deep poverty. This budget includes $265 million to fund 7,000 additional preschool slots and 6,800 child care slots, plus a rate increase for all providers.

In addition, the budget agreement provides $40 million to fund Medi-Cal services for children regardless of immigration status effective May 1, 2016. 

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