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Fire Prevention Funding Prioritized in State Budget Approved by the Legislature

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SACRAMENTO — The California Legislature has approved a balanced budget for the fiscal year 2018-19, Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) reported on June 19. The budget prioritizes funding for fire recovery and prevention, makes significant investments in K-12 schools, provides emergency aid to fight homelessness, and prevents tuition hikes at UC and CSU, all while building up the largest reserves in California’s history.

“I am especially proud of the funding allocated to help Ventura and Santa Barbara counties recover lost property taxes and debris removal costs associated with the Thomas Fire and the ensuing debris flow. While the loss of life our district experienced is irreplaceable, the amount of support provided to counties that have lost so much is critical for recovery,” said Assemblymember Limón.

Key funding in the fiscal year 2018-19 budget includes:

  • About $12 million in funding to backfill the property tax revenue losses that Ventura and Santa Barbara counties will incur, due to the Thomas Fire.
  • $108,500,000 over three years to permanently secure, plug and abandon, and decommission oil wells and facilities, located onshore and offshore, in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Specifically, this proposal requests for $58,000,000 in 2018-19, $40,000,000 in 2019-20, and $10,500,000 in 2020-21.
  • $5.5 million for debris removal in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties as a result of the Thomas Fire.
  • $10 million to fund Assembly Bill 1956, a bill I am authoring, which creates a robust year-round fire prevention local assistance grant program.
  • $9.5 million to upgrade Oxnard’s wastewater treatment plant.
  • $3.9 million for the Ellwood Mesa Habitat Management Plan and Restoration.

For more information about the California State Budget, please visit the Assembly Document and the California Department of Finance’s website.

— 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.