All the information flowing around today’s news stream may be, at times, overwhelming. That’s why today, I’d like to offer some resources to help you and your family in how we can best tackle this pandemic together.

What We Know About COVID-19 in the Southern Central Valley

To date, the southern Central Valley is seeing a slight increase in positive cases for COVID-19. As a precaution, all counties including Kern, Kings, Tulare and Fresno have fallen under the Governor’s shelter-in-place order.

To stay up to date with the latest information in your region, I urge you to follow your county website below:

Kings County

Kern County

Tulare County

Fresno County

What the Legislature Has Done to Tackle This Issue

On Tuesday, March 16th, 2020, the Legislature used emergency authority under the California Constitution to APPROVE UP TO $1.1 BILLION IN STATE FUNDING TO ADDRESS THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. The state funding will be available to expand hospital capacity, fund public health system responses to the virus, acquire vital health equipment, help vulnerable seniors, and disinfect school buildings. As the trajectory of the virus evolves, the Legislature aims for California to keep leading the nation in response to this difficult situation.

The economic challenges resulting from the emergency require additional, significant state budget actions in the coming months. California will need to receive substantial federal assistance to preserve vital programs and help individuals and small businesses in need.

SB 89 also includes a commitment by the Legislature and the Governor to pursue efforts in the coming weeks to help individuals and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 economic slowdown.

• We have appropriated $500 million from the General Fund to support purposes, and authorize additional appropriations up to $1 billion, as needed.
• We are appropriating $100 million to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for purposes related to ensuring the safety of school sites under the viral outbreak.

To get the latest information, click here.

Where I can Get More Resources

The Governor’s office is working diligently with every Senate office to provide as much resources and information to our constituents. In addition, my team and I are working with community members to compile a list of resources to deliver to our local region.

Further resources can be found here:

SD-14 Resources

Statewide Resources

During these difficult times, we need one another more than ever. As we move through this pandemic together, I encourage you to stay connected with our office by calling or emailing my offices in Bakersfield, Hanford, Fresno or Sacramento. With that said, please join me and the State of California in being part of the solution.