Hello Neighbor,

Summer is here, and in Senate District 14, that means triple-digit weather is likely in the forecast. Multiple days and nights of hot weather can be dangerous for pets and people over the age of 65. For resources on Summer Safety tips from Listos California, click here. You can also click here to find a list of 2023 Cooling Centers in your County.

Summer also means that the legislature has wrapped up budget negotiations and I am proud to have secured major wins for the district. Although this has been a difficult year, the legislature has kept its promise to preserve key investments to critical programs and services and to maintain a healthy reserve. You can read more about my budget efforts in the body of this newsletter.

Wishing you a happy and safe summer!

Senator Anna Caballero
State Senator, 14^th Senate District

The Distressed Hospital Loan Program is LIVE. Madera Community Hospital and other struggling hospitals can now access funds to stay open or reopen in order to maintain the critical and routine healthcare needs of our community!

 

Actualización: El Programa de Préstamos para Hospitales en Problemas está EN VIVO. ¡Madera Community Hospital y otros hospitales en dificultades ahora pueden acceder fondos para permanecer abiertos o reabrir a fin de mantener las necesidades de atención médica críticas y de rutina de nuestra comunidad!

 

• Up to $1.6 billion in financial support for hospitals to address augmentations to primary care, children’s preventive care, maternal care, patient care services and behavioral health as well as specialty care and outpatient and acute care systems.
• $512,000 to support the San Joaquin River Conservancy in projects for safe drinking water, water quality and supply and flood control.
• $2,041,000 to local assistance for the San Joaquin River Conservancy.
• $2 million for the improvement of streets, sidewalks and drainage facilities in the rural, communities of Cantua Creek and El Porvenir, in Fresno County. In addition, street repairs curb ramps and drainage facilities will be installed, and sidewalks leading to Cantua Creek Elementary will be constructed. The project will address flooding risks, and improve safety and accessibility.
• $20,000,000 for the community of Pajaro in Monterey County, and $20,000,000 for the community of Planada in Merced County for flood relief such as home inspections, remediation, repairs and retrofitting; rental assistance; vehicle replacement assistance; infrastructure repairs, community outreach; and direct relief, including, and not limited to, undocumented and non-citizen residents and workers.
• $19,684,000 to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board to ensure that appropriate standards are met for the construction, maintenance, and protection of the flood control system that protects life, property, and wildlife habitat from the devastating effects of flooding in the areas of Atwater, Merced, Los Banos, Fresno, and Coalinga.
• $250 million for investments in the Fresno Public Infrastructure Plan designed to revitalize downtown Fresno and lay the groundwork for infill housing development through transportation, water, and greenspace projects.
• $387,5000 for minimal to no cost energy efficiency upgrades on appliances and home modifications for low to moderate income residents in extreme heat areas to help reduce their energy costs.
• $7 million for the construction of the Dolores Huerta Peace and Justice multi-cultural community center. The center will serve to expand and improve organizing skills and training for civic leaders throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
• $2,800,000 to support the California Medicine Scholars Program. This is a pathway program that supports underserved students to enter a four-year university, medical school, residency to expand California’s health workforce.
• $915,000 to initiate the CalFresh Minimum Pilot Program to provide eligible households with a minimum monthly CalFresh benefit of $50 to support local economies and healthy eating.
• $3 million to the UC Merced Labor Center to support research, education, and public engagement for an economic impact study on the relationship between oil and gas industry changes and local services and jobs.
• $3.25 million to the University of California to support UC Medical School Projects at UC Merced.
• $11 million to the UC Merced Campus Expansion Project to build classrooms.
• $1 million for the radio transmission and reception improvements in the City of Greenfield.
• $500,000 to support the Del Valley Food Center of the Central Valley Community Foundation to provide agriculture products grown locally for residents who experience extreme poverty, food insecurity and high unemployment.
• $400,000 for improvements and maintenance of the Soledad Mission Recreation District in South Monterey County to ensure affordable programming and reduce use of water and natural gas.
• $1 million to complete the Indoor/Outdoor Regional Sports Park in the City of Parlier to provide leisure and economic opportunities for the city and the region.
• $1 million to complete the Hart Ranch Community Park project in Kerman to include multi-use sports fields, splash pads, walking paths, interpretive panels, shaded picnic area and a community garden.
• $100,000 for improvements for the Veterans Memorial Museum in the City of Fresno.
• $950,000 for the upgrades of the Mobile Command Center of the City of Madera that provides assistance in situations such as crime, natural disasters, or rescue operations.
• $500,000 to improve and upgrade the trail conditions for the Lions Town and Country Park in the City of Madera.
• $400,000 to upgrade the City of King Park Recreation Center Facilities.
• $350,000 to build additional playing fields at City's Sports Complex in the City of Reedley.
• $310,000 to build a community park in Santa Nella, in Merced County.
• $240,000 to support the construction of 27 homes in Firebaugh by Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area.
• $150,000 to improve 18-person transitional housing facility in the City of Reedley. This project serves displaced families within an existing city owned two-story single-family residence.
• $100,000 to build an EV charging infrastructure at city facilities in the City of Reedley. This project serves displaced people.
• $1 million to support the building of a new centralized treatment plan and storage tank in the City of Livingston.
• $50,000,000 to the City of Fresno to support the city’s Public Infrastructure Plan.
• $60,672,000 to the Veterans Home of California at Fresno, and $8,914,000 to support rental payments on lease-revenue bonds at the Veterans Home of California at Fresno.
• $75,000 to support Fresno Unified School District.

From Farmworker housing to Speaker of the Assembly, it was an honor to join my colleague and friend, Assemblymember Robert Rivas’ swearing-in ceremony to represent all Californians as the 71st Speaker of the Assembly. Farmworkers from across #SD14 joined in the celebration and had the opportunity to share in the historic event.

Honored to name Fresno/Madera based Beloved Survivors Trauma Recovery Center (BSTRC) as the 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 14. The decision to leave an abusive relationship is scary, and can be dangerous. Navigating options is overwhelming. Beloved Survivors Trauma Recovery Center gives survivors hope and the tools to heal, thrive and overcome. Thank you for the life-changing work that you do for survivors in the Central Valley.

Team Caballero enjoyed celebrating the Fourth of July with communities across the distict!

The CAMINOS Exhibit is now LIVE at the Multicultural Arts Center in Merced. The exhibit traces the “Caminos” (Spanish for roads or paths) of Latinos through the Valley and highlights the contributions they have made. This is an important exhibit, and I encourage you to take the young people in your life to view.  

As a side note, one of my own personal stories is on display. Go check it out and tell me what you think!

Gallery Hours: Wed-Fri, 2-8pm; Sat, 11am-6pm; Sun, 11am-4pm

Congratulations, Fresno! As part of this year’s budget, the city will receive $250 Million to help build the infrastructure for and create the opportunity to produce up to 75,000 housing units, generate 25,000 jobs, connect downtown to Chinatown and benefit and improve the lives of those who have struggled economically.

Juneteenth, or Freedom day or Emancipation Day, celebrations across Senate District 14

New Small Business alert! Welcome to the neighborhood, Merced Indian Grocers.

Fire Engine 306 equipped with Green Start Technology and a Regen System that recycles exhaust. Congratulations, Gustine!

Ribbon Cutting for the River Vista Behavioral Health Hospital

Thank you, Valley Children’s Healthcare and Universal Health Services for your investment in the health and well-being of Madera.

Ribbon cutting for the Sun Street Centers Darlene Acosta Youth Center

The Darlene Acosta Youth Center is the newest facility constructed on Sun Street Centers’ King City campus, funded by gifts from the community. The youth center will provide a safe environment with activities that support positive youth development to reduce high-risk behaviors such as the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and violence. It will house Sun Street Centers’ core prevention services and staff.

*The youth center, named in memory of former City Councilmember Darlene Acosta, honors her tireless efforts to bring prevention and recovery services to south Monterey County.

Hollister High School softball team claims the state title for first time in school history. Congratulations, Haybalers softball team, CIF Nor-Cal Division I champions!