SACRAMENTO – In a year when California faces multiyear deficits and budget cuts, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D–Bakersfield) helped secure millions in critical investments for the Central Valley, particularly Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno Counties. These wins directly advance her 2025 Common Sense Plan: putting people first, driving down costs, and holding the powerful accountable. The wins come years after the Senator authored Senate Bill 1029, establishing California’s One Health Program back in 2021-2022, and pushed for emergency action following the 2024 bird flu outbreak.

“This year my budget priorities reflect who we fight for, not the loudest voices or powerful interests, but the people growing our food, raising our families, and holding our Valley together. In a year of cuts, we made sure the Valley didn’t get left behind,” said Senator Melissa Hurtado.

Putting People First: Health, Water, and Food Security

“After the bird flu hit dairies in our region we were left with no monitoring or data. We can’t track our preparedness if we don’t invest in the places most at risk. These budget wins fix that.”

The budget allocates $3.2 million for wastewater surveillance, improving early detection of bird flu, Covid 19, and other emerging diseases and threats. This critical funding supports Senate Bill 317 (wastewater surveillance investments in monitoring) and Senate Bill 297, (Access to Valley Fever screenings) which will directly benefit Valley communities.

It also allocates $52 million for CalFood and $36 million for CalFresh Fruits & Vegetables, ensuring families can access fresh, affordable, locally grown produce.

It allocates $21.9 million for Farm to School and Incubator Grants, helping Valley farmers connect to schools and students.

And $5 million for California-grown product purchasing, expanding markets for local agriculture through AB 778 implementation, which Hurtado co-authored.

Driving Costs Down: Water Security and Agriculture

$16.4 million loan to the Water Rights Fund, helping Valley communities manage groundwater and comply with SGMA.

$8 million to CDFA, with 15 new permanent positions to support small producers and rural agricultural services.

Holding the Powerful Accountable

$2.5 million (up from $740,000) for the FTB Criminal Investigation Bureau, to crack down on fraud and corporate tax abuse.

“You can’t rely on companies that disappear when things get hard. Our communities deserve public systems that actually show up, especially in Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Fresno,” said Hurtado.

Common Sense in Action

These wins reinforce Hurtado’s 2025 legislative package:

SB 317 – Wastewater Surveillance & Preparedness Act

SB 297 – Valley Fever Early Detection Act

SB 444 – The GROW Act

SB 556 – Flood Protection and Groundwater Recharge Act

SB 295 – California Fair Pricing Act

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