Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
The recent budget plan announced Friday by California Governor Gavin Newsom will make it possible to make "wise investments and safeguard the social safety net," said California Assemblyman David Chiu.
"Today is a stark reminder of how different life was just a year ago. Despite a pandemic and difficult economic circumstances, Governor Newsom has used this budget to make wise investments and safeguard our social safety net," he said.
In his statement following Governor Newsom's fiscal year 2021-2022 budget announcement, the Assemblyman for the 17th District, which covers East San Francisco, said it was important for him to address the state's housing crisis.
"I appreciate the Governor's continued commitment to addressing our housing crisis. With continued funding for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and the new housing accountability unit within the Department of Housing and Community Development, California will be able to continue to build affordable housing and work to reduce our overall housing shortage," he noted.
In that regard, he noted that Newsom's proposal to spend $1.75 billion on housing for people experiencing homelessness is significant, so the increase in funding, he said, is "largely welcome" over previous years.
In addition, he said, Chiu's office will be working closely with the administration to ensure that California extends protections against evictions beyond January 31, thereby allowing tenants to keep their homes.
"Through this budget, California is working to support our residents during the pandemic with $4.4 billion for COVID-19 testing, vaccine distribution, direct stimulus payments, a robust small business grant and fee waivers for the hardest hit sectors of our economy," he noted.
In turn, he said, the unprecedented investment in K12 education - at the elementary and secondary level - and emergency grants for California college students will go a long way toward supporting students during this "incredibly challenging" time.
"While no budget is perfect, this proposal is good news for California. I look forward to working with colleagues to get emergency support immediately and pass a final budget in June," he concluded.
This Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom presented the legislature with the proposed 2021-2022 state budget, a $227.2 billion fiscal plan that will provide funding for the immediate response to COVID-19 and help Californians who need it most.
