SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara) issued the following statement on the proposed Budget presented today by Governor Newsom.
The Budget presented by Governor Newsom advances many of the areas the legislature and I have been pushing for the past years.
As the author of AB 209, which establishes Outdoor Equity Grant Programs to increase the ability of underserved populations to participate in outdoor environmental education throughout the state, I am pleased to see the allocation of $20 million General Fund to launch this much-needed program in our communities.
Governor Newsom’s commitment to the oil and gas oversight division, now called the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) comes at a great time. The Budget includes $24.3 million special fund dollars to strengthen field enforcement of existing laws and regulations, validate adequate bonding levels for operators to limit state financial liability, and improve public transparency of CalGEM’s regulatory activities. This allocation supports the work of AB 1057, and protects taxpayers from having to pay for the neglect of oil companies.
The innovative green approaches on the Budget are refreshing and in the spirit of AB 470. The Climate Catalyst Fund will promote the deployment of new technologies, especially by small businesses and emerging industries. The fund will finance investments in low-carbon transportation, sustainable agriculture, and waste diversion through low-interest loans. This is extremely beneficial for our district, as it will allow the creation of more green industries and support the creation of jobs.
I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Assembly as we dive deeper into the Governor’s budget.
Monique Limón represents the 37th Assembly District, which includes Santa Barbara, Ventura, Goleta, Carpinteria, Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Buellton, Solvang, Summerland, Isla Vista, Montecito and parts of Oxnard. She currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee.