District Report - June 2017

State Budget Overview - A Message from Bill Dodd

This month, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed our state budget. Our budget reflects Californian values, investing in areas and programs that we know work.

We prioritize public education, spending a record amount on K-12 schools, raising per pupil spending to over $11,000 – the highest in California history. This is the sixth straight year we’ve increased school funding. In all, the budget adds nearly $3 billion to education, bringing Budget Year totals to $74.5 billion. In higher education, we’re funding CalGrants and encouraging graduation with $25 million in completion grants at the Community Colleges and $12.5 million in graduation incentives at the CSU.

This budget also makes a historic investment in fixing roads and bridges. Putting tax dollars to work, it accelerates $2.8 billion towards improving commutes, fixing roads, strengthening overpasses and bridges, and building mass transit – a real job-creating infrastructure plan.

While Republicans in Congress hide the details of their healthcare repeal, California’s budget proudly makes evidence-based healthcare investments with heart. Voters approved new tobacco taxes in November (Prop 56). With this new revenue, we made substantial investments in healthcare, directing $546 million towards healthcare access, family planning and care for the developmentally disabled.

To make sure that parents don’t have to choose between going to work or taking care of their children, Senate Democrats fought for increased spending on childcare programs to expand eligibility. This budget keeps California strong, protects our fiscal stability and empowers our people and communities.

For additional details on the budget, click here.

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Celebrating Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Celebrating Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

National Monuments protect our environment and support our local economy. I was proud to play a part in the successful effort to create the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument two years ago. I introduced the first-ever California joint resolution calling on the president to create a national monument, which passed with bipartisan support.

I was honored to have the opportunity to meet President Obama for the signing ceremony in Washington, D.C. But unfortunately, there is still more work to do to preserving this cherished land.

With the federal government looking to review and possibly rescind recent monument designations, I am committed to doing whatever it takes to protect Berryessa Snow Mountain and our state’s other national monuments. That’s why I was principal co-author to Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry’s Assembly Joint Resolution 15, which urges the federal government to continue protecting California’s national monuments.

As a federally protected land, Berryessa Snow Mountain benefits from enhanced recreational opportunities and visitation to the region – helping our environment and local economy. Preserving our region’s natural splendor for future generations is absolutely essential, and we can’t afford to move backward.

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Visit State Parks in Our District

The beauty of California extends across our district. For less than the cost of tickets to the movies, a family can spend an afternoon or an entire vacation exploring one of the many state parks in our district and throughout California.

California State Parks contain hundreds of miles of coastline, thousands of miles of hiking and riding trails, nearly 1000 miles of lake, reservoir and riverfront areas. Wild and scenic lands, underwater preserves, family friendly destinations and an incredibly diverse collection of cultural holdings are available to all comers throughout the year.

You can learn more about the State Parks and other parklands in our area by clicking here.


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Fire Safety & Preparedness

Our region was hit harder by wildfires in the past few years than anywhere else in the state. We have seen thousands of homes burn, hundreds of thousands of acres scorched, and the loss of lives. The 2015 Valley Fire alone was the third most destructive wildfire in state history.

As summer and higher fire danger approach, it's important we take steps to prevent fires and to protect your home and family. Click here to learn about:

  • Defensible space

  • Making your home more fire resistant

  • Emergency plans and evacuation kits

  • Fire prevention though safe equipment use

  • And more

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In the News

While California has made meaningful progress in a number of areas over the last year, there is still much work to be done. Of particular importance this year is ensuring that California maintains and expands our progress towards affordable healthcare coverage for all, environmental stewardship, educational opportunity, and protections for hardworking immigrants.

Here is some of the latest news coverage that may be of interest to you. As always, please contact my office if you have any questions about state policy or want to express your position or ideas for legislation.

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