Allocation of Funds will go towards Access to Clean Drinking Water, Asthma Prevention Services, Aging and Disability Resource Center Services, Short-Line Railroad Infrastructure Projects, Defense Against Family Separation & Deportation, and Youth & Civic Engagement Initiatives 

SACRAMENTO, CA – State Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), representing the 14^th Senate District in California, which includes cities in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties, is pleased to announce securing investments totaling $50 million from State General Funds. The investments will address a broad range of services including access to clean drinking water, asthma prevention, defense against family separation, aging and disability centers, short-line railroad projects, and more.

“Since the beginning of the year, our community has witnessed firsthand, a Governor and leaders who have prioritized our needs in the Central Valley,” stated Sen. Melissa Hurtado. “I am beyond grateful for the work of Governor Gavin Newsom and Senate Leader Toni Atkins who have both been incredibly inclusive during this process to ensure that the budget is fully reflective of ALL of California,” said Sen. Melissa Hurtado.

Sen. Melissa Hurtado continued by stating that “the final budget agreement issued by California’s leadership will expand access to health care, support vulnerable and aging communities, provide improvements for connecting rural communities through short-line railroad projects, and help diverse communities throughout the state.”

“California is the 5th largest economy in the world. It is unacceptable that even one individual would not have access to safe and affordable drinking water,” said Atkins. “The investments we are making in the Central Valley to support treatment plants and make crucial repairs takes us a step closer to ensuring all Californians can access water fit for all of life’s daily tasks. I commend Senator Hurtado for her dogged advocacy for these critical investments.”

Furthermore, Sen. Melissa Hurtado secured a $15 million one-time investment of General Funds for the southern Central Valley to address failing water systems to help deliver safe and clean drinking water to communities in the southern Central Valley. 

Soundbites for news story purposes can be downloaded here.

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About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado is an advocate for expanding access to health care and clean water, growing educational opportunities and creating more quality jobs. She represents the 14^th Senate District in California, which includes cities in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties. Senator Hurtado was born in Fresno, California and was raised in the City of Sanger, where she still resides with her family.

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