“This year’s State Budget invests in California by increasing per-student spending to among the highest in the nation, expanding tax credits for working families having a challenging time paying for their gas and grocery bills, providing relief for our small businesses, and providing more money in SSI checks for our seniors,” said Salas. “I am proud that this budget will protect California from the next crisis. Our work brings $240 million into the district in an impactful and meaningful way.”

According to Salas, some important budget items include $3.5 million for new fire equipment for the Kings County Fire Department and the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department.

Other parts of the budget include:

• $110.3 billion for K-12 schools, including a historic $9 billion increase for school districts and charter schools.
• $9.5 billion to provide direct relief to Californians from the impacts of high gas prices.
• $2.3 billion in relief to small businesses and non-profits, with $500 million to provide full rebates to cover increased Unemployment Insurance costs.
• $506 million to improve access to childcare services for working families.
• $83 million to construct the Energy Innovation Center at CSU Bakersfield.
• $50 million to support the creation of the California Renewable Energy Center of Excellence at the Kern Community College District.
• $60 million to help Bakersfield College construct new, affordable student housing
• $20 million to create a pilot program in Kern and LA Counties to provide training and employment for energy workers to cap abandoned oil and gas wells.
• $10 million to the Adventist Health Cancer Center, Bakersfield for breast, colorectal, and cardiothoracic cancer centers.
• $6 million to Shafter for new police and fire substations.
• $5 million to the Farmworker Institute of Education & Leadership Development to offer local workforce development programs and education services.
• $3.5 million to provide new fire equipment to the Kings County Fire Department and the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department.
• $21 billion to improve drought resilience and protect people from extreme heat.
• $600 million in the next two years in increasing CalWORKs grants for working families to ensure no child lives in deep poverty.
• Additional $300 million increase for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to seniors.