Assemblyman Rudy Salas issues his thoughts on the 2018-19 California State Budget

“The legislature has passed an on-time and balanced budget that prioritizes investing in education, safe drinking water, public safety, healthcare and homelessness while putting away money for tough times by fully funding the Rainy-Day Fund,” said Assemblymember Salas.

“This budget continues to make college more affordable for everyone by increasing investments in our public universities to record levels. I am especially pleased that this budget includes significant funding that I have fought for during budget negotiations to help families in the Central Valley, including $8 million to combat the Valley Fever epidemic, $1 million to Bakersfield College for career technical education, and $705,000 in ongoing funding for independent living centers. This budget reflects our state’s commitment to helping working families, keeping our communities safe, and improving the lives of Californians everywhere.” 

State Budget includes

• $8 million total for Valley Fever research, outreach and awareness: $3 million to UC’s for research; $3 million to the Valley Fever Institute at Kern Medical Center for research; $2 million to the California Department of Public Health for an outreach and awareness campaign
• $8.7 million for public safety infrastructure in Kings County
• $1 million for career technical education programs to Bakersfield College
• $705,000 to independent living centers, including the Independent Living Center of Kern County

Education

• $92 million ongoing increase for the University of California
• $177 million one-time increase for the University of California
• $92 million ongoing increase for California State University
• Additional ongoing $105 million increase for California State University
• $167 million one-time increase for California State University
• $1 million to Bakersfield College for expansion of career technical education programs
• $78.4 billion in funding for K-12 education
• Increases K-12 spending per pupil to $11,639

Water

• Sets aside $23.5 million for safe drinking water
• $1.4 million annually for two years to support the Central Valley Flood Protection Board
• $5 million to conduct lead testing in water at child care centers, remediation activities and technical assistance

Public Safety

• $8.7 million to Kings County for public safety infrastructure
• $6.5 million towards reducing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits
• $25 million to support law enforcement officers with additional trainings

Health and Human Services

• $1 billion in federal and state funds over four years for an additional 13,400 child care and 2,947 pre-school slots, increased rates for providers, and new quality investments
• $8 million for Valley Fever research, outreach and awareness
• $705,000 ongoing to independent living centers

Homelessness

• $500 million to address the homelessness crisis and help local governments deal with the crisis