Sen. Dodd: Budget Agreement Reached
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement regarding the agreement between the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom on California’s 2023-24 budget, which passed the Assembly and Senate today. The budget bills pay for statewide services including education, wildfire prevention and public transit, and provides an additional $10 million for North Bay projects.
“This agreement protects the progress we’ve made on so many fronts while closing a multi-billion dollar budget gap without middle-class tax increases,” Sen. Dodd said. “At the end of the day, we have a balanced budget that funds essential services and allows us to be forward-looking on priorities such as wildfire prevention and climate change. I was glad to be able to directly fund important district needs, while also funding programs and services that will benefit our district and the entire state.”
The $310 billion budget is the product of more than 120 public hearings and achieves the Legislature’s goal of holding ground on key initiatives without cuts or tax increases. It was approved by both chambers of the Legislature today and was sent to the governor’s desk. He’s expected to sign it by Friday.
The final budget, which maintains a $37.8 billion reserve, includes more than $31 billion in “solutions,” including a $2.1 billion increase for schools and community colleges, almost $3 billion for childcare and preschool reimbursement, more than $3 billion for climate-related projects and $5.1 billion to support public transit.
In addition, Sen. Dodd secured the following allocations for shovel-ready projects in the North Bay:
Napa County: $3.5 million to the County of Napa. With $3 million intended for development and improvement of major emergency evacuation routes and firefighter access; $500,000 is intended for regional climate planning.
Napa Valley College Foundation: $1.5 million to the Napa Valley College Foundation for construction of a new technical education center at Napa Valley College.
Solano County: $3.75 million to the County of Solano. With $2.75 million for emergency radio interoperability and infrastructure improvements and $1 million for development of an early learning resource center.
Sonoma County Regional Parks: $1.25 million to Sonoma County Regional Parks with $1 million intended for Larson Park renovation and $250,000 intended to support Sonoma Valley fire resiliency projects.
Local leaders responded to the investments:
“Larson Park is a beloved neighborhood park, surrounded by hundreds of families in Boyes Hot Springs needing a safe place to gather,” Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin said. “Sadly, the park facilities are in poor condition; the master plan was approved by the board several years ago, but it has been awaiting an infusion of resources to complete the desperately needed renovations. Thank you Sen. Bill Dodd and all of our state elected officials for supporting this request in the budget.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Sen. Dodd for his instrumental role in securing $3.5 million in the 2023-24 state budget for Napa County,” said Joelle Gallagher, vice-chair of the Napa County Board of Supervisors. “This significant funding allocation will have a transformative impact on our communities, bolstering both our emergency preparedness and our commitment to building climate resilience.”
“Extending my deepest gratitude for Sen. Dodd’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to our community,” Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza said. “His tireless efforts have proven results, and we are incredibly grateful for this critical funding, which will pave the way for the development and improvement of major emergency evacuation routes and firefighter access in selected rural Napa County communities. Making sure our families are safe during times of crisis is necessary! His vision for a Napa County Regional Climate Action Plan will empower us to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change, fostering sustainability and resilience in our region. Thanks to Sen. Dodd for his steadfast support, leadership and for championing the prosperity of Napa County.”
“I’m very grateful to Sen. Dodd for his continued strong support of both wildfire prevention and climate resilience in rural Napa County,” said Anne Cottrell, Napa County supervisor. “The fire safety funds will make a significant impact in Napa County's upvalley communities and hillside neighborhoods by improving our evacuation routes, and making it easier for firefighters to get on site to protect life and property. The climate funds will help us create a regional climate action plan to help our county combat and adapt to climate change.”
“Students in our welding and machine tools programs will directly benefit from these funds,” said Napa Valley College President Torence Powell. “With updated facilities and tools, they will leave Napa Valley College ready to work in their chosen field. Our thanks to Sen. Dodd for his continued advocacy, and to the Legislature for their support.”
“I want to thank Sen. Dodd for his commitment to the residents of Solano County and for working to deliver funding for two critical projects, including radio interoperability and the Vallejo early learning center,” said John Vasquez, chair of the Solano County Board of Supervisors. “For the years I have served on the board, resolving radio interoperability has always been a goal of the county, and this funding will help provide the technology and equipment necessary to help our first responders better communicate with our partner agencies in times of need. Additionally, the funding for the Vallejo early learning center will deliver early care and education opportunities for children and their families of all income levels in underserved communities within Solano County.”
“Many thanks to Sen. Dodd for his advocacy for our early learning center in Vallejo,” said Solano County Supervisor Erin Hannigan. “He has been a wonderful partner and champion for greater access to early learning and family stability in Solano County.”
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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.