State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, D-Jackson, issued the following statement on the passage of the 2023-24 state budget:

“Today, I voted, along with both houses of the Legislature, to pass the California State Budget. The budget avoids imposing new taxes and allocates significant funding aimed at providing financial relief, combating crime, and improving public safety. “

Highlights from the budget include:

• Financial relief to Alpine and Mono counties for the shortfalls incurred on the ERAF (Education Revenue Augmentation Fund). These funds will help these counties overcome their economic challenges and ensure the provision of essential education and school funding to their residents.

• $7.2 million to combat violent crime, gangs, and organized crime. The priority will be given to disrupting the production, supply, and distribution of fentanyl, opioids, and narcotics, which severely threaten our communities. This allocation will enable law enforcement agencies to strengthen their efforts and protect our neighborhoods from the devastating consequences of these dangerous substances.

• $6 million to support the distribution of fentanyl test strips. In a concerted effort to address the fentanyl crisis, this investment will aid in providing individuals with the means to detect the presence of this deadly drug, allowing them to make informed decisions and potentially save lives.

• $119 million dedicated to various flood projects in the Central Valley. Overseen by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), these projects will bolster our resilience against flooding events, ensuring the safety of residents and safeguarding valuable resources.

• $20 million for the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA). The budget recognizes the importance of supporting vulnerable populations. CASA plays a critical role in advocating for the rights and well-being of children in the foster care system, providing them with much-needed guidance and support.

• $10 million to the Family Justice Centers. This funding bolsters efforts to provide comprehensive assistance to domestic violence and abuse victims. This investment will help empower survivors and facilitate their journey toward healing and justice.

• $7 million for emergency services for victims of human trafficking. The state aims to address the urgent needs of those affected by this heinous crime and provide them with the support and resources necessary to rebuild their lives.

• $100 million for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. This allocation represents a significant investment in strengthening the state’s agricultural industry and supporting sustainable farming practices. 

“We have more work to do to ensure we make California safe and affordable for our residents,” stated Alvarado-Gil after her aye vote. 

Alvarado-Gil represents the 4th Senate District including the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.

Alanis praises support from majority for Prop 47 study

Last week, Assemblymember Juan Alanis, Vice Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee joined the Chair of the Committee, Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer, in requesting the Little Hoover Commission investigate retail theft, shoplifting, and organized retail theft in California, and publish a report detailing its findings. This effort unified members of both houses and both parties in a single letter to the Commission detailing the need for this information. 

“I set out early to build relationships across every aisle and every wing of the Capitol,” said Assemblymember Alanis.  “This letter to the Commission, which has now been signed by a majority of both houses, is the culmination of weeks of intense conversations I have had with my colleagues on Proposition 47 and the feedback I have received from the communities and businesses back home.”

This study will provide important and necessary clarity on the impacts of Proposition 47 on law enforcement and prosecutors ability to fight retail theft, shoplifting and organized retail theft, including: 

• The number of reported crimes to law enforcement, the size of the business, the type of property reported stolen, and value of the property reported stolen.

• The average amount of time taken by law enforcement agencies to respond to the reported theft, whether an arrest was made and whether the crime was referred for prosecution.

• Information on whether district attorneys filed criminal charges in each case and if not, why?

“I am proud of the work that the Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and I have done on bringing together a majority of the legislature in our request to the Commission,” said Alanis.  “This sets the stage for real progress on this very important issue.”