Sacramento, Calif. (September 1, 2026)—Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield), Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government, announced a series of major taxpayer protections secured through the 2026 state budget aimed at cutting waste, strengthening oversight of state spending, protecting consumers and making government more accountable for how it spends taxpayer dollars.

Concurrently, Hurtado secured millions of dollars in direct investments for Central Valley communities, bringing taxpayer dollars back home for clean water, healthcare, jobs, aviation, agriculture, public safety and community infrastructure.

“Valley families work hard for every dollar they earn, and they deserve to know their tax dollars are being spent wisely,” Senator Hurtado said. “My focus this year was twofold: hold Sacramento accountable for how it spends our money and fight to bring more of those dollars back home. We closed loopholes, strengthened oversight and demanded greater accountability, while investing in the basic things our communities need.”

Nearly $20 Million Invested Directly in Senate District 16

Hurtado secured $19.96 million in direct investments for communities and organizations throughout the district.

Jobs, Agriculture, Aviation and Youth

• $200,000 — Tulare County Foundation for Ag Education and Youth: Support for agricultural education and opportunities for young people.
• $2 million — California Farmworker Foundation: Development of its resource center in Delano to expand workforce development, job training, career pathways, small-business assistance and economic opportunities for farmworkers and their families.
• $750,000 — Meadows Field Airport: Improvements to expand regional aviation capacity, modernize airport infrastructure, strengthen economic development and support the movement of passengers and goods.
• $125,000 — Delano Municipal Airport: Infrastructure and modernization improvements supporting airport operations, workforce growth and economic development.
• $200,000 — Northwest Bakersfield Baseball Association: Facility and equipment improvements supporting local youth recreation.

Water, Infrastructure and Public Safety

• $8 million — Sustainable Groundwater Management: Allocated for local grants for small farmer assistance to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
• $1.5 million — City of Delano: Community and water infrastructure improvements.
• $1 million — City of Kingsburg: Design and construction of a municipal facility.
• $750,000 — Kings County: Design and construction of a new backup water well to strengthen water reliability in Armona.
• $500,000 — Kern County Office of Emergency Services: Preparedness and response to emerging threats affecting children, families and critical infrastructure, including cybersecurity, school threats, drinking water systems and emergency communications.
• $150,000 — Delano Mosquito Abatement District: Modernization of its regional public health laboratory to improve safety, disease surveillance, early detection and response to vector-borne and zoonotic diseases.
• $150,000 — City of Lamont: Safety improvements at Bear Mountain Park and other community facilities, including lighting and rehabilitation or removal of unsafe pool and restroom facilities.

Health, Families and Community Services

• $2 million — Kern Medical: Development and deployment of a purpose-built mobile dental unit equipped with two dental chairs and onboard X-ray capability, expanding access to dental care throughout the region.
• $2 million — Kern County: Community and Emergency Disaster Center.
• $250,000 — City of Delano: Support for the Delano Senior Nutrition Program.
• $200,000 — Kern County: Community-based services through Skye’s The Limit Institute of Wellness.
• $87,500 — Kern County: Expansion of cancer prevention, screening, early detection and patient navigation for rural and disadvantaged residents facing barriers to care.
• $100,000 — Kern County Office of Veterans Services: Grants supporting veteran-owned businesses, entrepreneurship and local job creation.

“These are practical investments in the places people rely on every day,” Hurtado said. “A water well that keeps water flowing, a mobile dental clinic that brings care closer to home, an airport that connects our economy, or workforce training that helps a family move forward — those investments have a direct impact on the quality of life in the Valley.”

Protecting AG, Drinking Water and Food Access

The budget also directs major statewide investments toward California agriculture, food access and programs that can benefit Central Valley farmers, producers and communities.

That includes $171, million for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund (SAFER), $15 million for Local Food Purchase Assistance, helping strengthen connections between California producers and organizations providing food to families in need.

Additional funding for climate-smart agriculture, including:

• $25 million for the Healthy Soils Program;
• $9.2 million for certified mobile farmers’ markets;
• $9.2 million for year-round certified farmers’ markets;
• $13.8 million for the Regional Farm Equipment Sharing Program; and
• $13.8 million for Tribal Food Sovereignty.

Senator Melissa Hurtado is Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government and currently represents the 16th Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties.

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