July 2022 Newsletter from Senator Bob Archuleta

Dear Neighbor,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits this summer. It has been a productive last couple of months as my fellow State Senators and I work on the state budget, legislation and continued support for our districts.

My District office team and I have been keeping busy. From laptop giveaways and ribbon cutting ceremonies, to drive thru vaccine clinics and food banks in underserved regions: we are out there and doing our best to serve our communities. 

My Capitol office team and I have been busy working on budget wins for our district, and legislation making transportation better and healthier for our state’s families. From funding to help our military veterans, to funding for renewable hydrogen to increase air quality for our children: wherever I can, I will always advocate for the health and safety of our communities.

Please continue to check the County of Los Angeles Public Health website for the latest Covid information and updated guidance, as well as vaccine administrating locations, by visiting http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/

As always, I stand ready to serve you, and encourage you to contact my offices for assistance or with questions at (562) 406-1001 or visit https://sd32.senate.ca.gov/.

God bless,

Senator Bob Archuleta
Thirty-Second Senate District

2022 Budget Wins for Public Health, Veterans, and Public Safety In Addition to Seven Bills Sent to the Governor’s Desk

The legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, the 2022-23 state budget, which provides $9.5 billion in direct relief to the vast majority of people, meaning up to $1,050 in direct tax refunds to thousands of families in our region. In addition, the budget puts more money in our children’s classrooms by providing a 13% increase in ongoing discretionary funding to California schools.

I am excited for a number of budget wins that will improve the quality of life for our community, specifically:

• $8,500,000 to the City of Pico Rivera to complete the Smith Park Aquatics Center
• $2,100,000 to the City of Montebello for the Downtown Sewer Infrastructure Improvement Project
• $2,750,000 to the City of La Mirada to rebuild the Behringer Park Athletic Fields
• $8,500,000 for the City of Pico Rivera for the renovation of Rio Hondo Park
• $7,500,000 for the Port of Los Angeles for the AltaSea Center for Innovation and Hydrogen Research
• $2,100,000 to the City of Bellflower for the Bellflower Youth & Senior Center
• $500,000 to the Los Angeles Fire Department for two new heli-hydrant locations, which includes converting one Helispot located in the City of Diamond Bar to a Heli-Hydrant
• $500,000 to the City of Whittier for the Lighting Installation for the Murphy Ranch Little League
• $2,900,000 to the City of Lakewood for the Lakewood Equestrian Center improvement project
• $1,300,000 to the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority to provide funding for ranger services for firefighting, law enforcement, outdoor education, and protection of the natural resources for trail visitors
• $3,000,000 to the City of Downey for the New Downey Family YMCA
• $200,000 to the City of Lakewood for the Lakewood Family YMCA Capital Improvements
• $522,000 for allocation to Rio Hondo College for affordable housing
• 16,000,000 for allocation to Cerritos College to support the construction of the student services building
• $600,000 to the Cerritos Community College District for the Student Transit Fare-less System Initiative
• $10,000,000 to the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation to transform the Puente Hills Landfill into a regional park
• $3,800,000 to the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy for the walking trail along the San Gabriel River to the Pacific Ocean
• $15,000,000 for the Southeast Los Angeles Cultural Center Project

I remain committed to ensuring that the state’s budget delivers meaningful fiscal relief to working families, continued funding to address veteran mental health and suicide prevention, while also ensuring our children’s schools receive sufficient funding. I will be there to support our communities in any way possible by continuing to secure more budget wins for the immediate future and the long term funding our communities rightfully deserve. What I secured in the budget for our region will make a lasting impact for generations to come.

Through my work on the Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy, I am making transportation better, safer, and healthier. As commercial freight and people pass through our region, the harmful emissions from their vehicles causes respiratory and environmental damages that stay in the region, compromising the health and safety of our communities.

By bringing manufacturers, industry, academics, and stakeholders together, the Hydrogen Select Committee is providing a forum for innovation and advanced technology to deliver cleaner vehicles onto to our roadways to reduce harmful emissions. 

For footage of the Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy, please visit the California State Senate website at https://www.senate.ca.gov/media-archive/default?title=Hydrogen&startdate=&enddate
 

In the district, my team and I are ready to help our community wherever there is a need. Whether it is personal protection equipment delivery to senior centers or communities in need, to coordinating with our local partners on drive-thru vaccine clinics, or laptop distribution efforts to students in need, we are here to serve.

Please continue visiting the Los Angeles County Public Health website for the most up to date information on Covid 19.

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/index.htm

This Fourth of July, it was a privilege to join communities across the 32nd Senate District in celebrating our nation’s Independence Day. From the parades, to the safe and sane fireworks displays, to the patriotism and pride for this country that were on display everywhere I went, it was a fantastic day to reconnect with friends and loved ones!

The seasons are changing and the temperatures are going up. It's that time of year to once again start considering the effects of warmer temperatures and take appropriate precautions to protect your health and safety.

Each year approximately 20 people die from heat-related emergencies. In 2006 a severe heatwave resulted in 655 deaths and over 16,000 excess emergency room visits throughout the state.​

See current Watches, Warnings or Advisories from the National Weather Service, or visit the California Office of Emergency Services for more information by clicking here.

Wildfires

Extreme fires are a growing threat to public health and safety, to homes, to air quality and climate goals, and to our forests. California is seeing fires that burn larger and hotter on average than ever before. One quarter of our state — more than 25 million acres — is now classified as under very high or extreme fire threat. And more than 25 percent of the state’s population lives in these high fire-risk areas. Smoke from extreme fires can occur with little warning, and travel long distances and into urban areas many miles from the flames, negatively impacting public health and degrading quality of life. Check with the California Ari Resources Board for more information by clicking here.

Expect more updates from me in next month’s newsletter.
 

My staff is available and committed to helping you resolve any issues you have with any state agencies. We will contact a state agency on your behalf to see if we can help get your questions answered or matter resolved.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, my staff has helped hundreds of people in our community with EDD claim issues, ensuring they received their benefits. Whether you have an issue related to this year’s tax season for which you need to speak with the Franchise Tax Board, or your professional license with the Department of Consumer Affairs is pending and you are not sure when it will be renewed, we can help if you give us a call at (562) 406-1001. You can also find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at https://bit.ly/3ikvzm6

Sincerely,

Senator Bob Archuleta
Thirty-Second Senate District

Senator Bob Archuleta represents the 32nd Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles County and Orange County. He is Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Chair of the Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy, and member of the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange.

Website of Senator Bob Archuleta: https://sd32.senate.ca.gov/