Sun Staff

• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to further bolster the emergency response to severe winter storms and support impacted communities across the state, according to a Jan. 16 statement from the governor’s office. In the past week, California secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration and a Presidential Emergency Declaration to assist response and […]

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) applauded President Joe Biden’s approval of more than $16.5 million in direct federal funding for community projects that benefit Santa Barbara County residents, according to a Dec. 30 statement from the congressman’s office. Carbajal helped secure this funding through the omnibus spending package that was crafted over the […]

• On Dec. 23, President Joe Biden signed legislation inspired by the 2019 Conception boat fire near Santa Barbara. The Small Passenger Vessel Liability Act proposed by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) changes an 1851 law that can prevent victims of maritime accidents from receiving compensation from those responsible […]

• U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) reintroduced a Senate resolution to declare racism a public health crisis, according to a Dec. 21 statement from Padilla’s office. The senators previously introduced the resolution in April 2021. Their resolution acknowledges the history of racism and discrimination within health care […]

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) introduced legislation to close the gaps in our health care system that “have left behind” minorities and underserved communities by incentivizing increased health provider participation in disadvantaged areas, according to a Dec. 19 statement. The Health Enterprise Zones Act would direct the Health and Human Services Secretary to accept […]

• The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Protect Patriot Parents Act, a measure authored by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) that would make parents of U.S. military service members eligible for lawful permanent resident status, preventing potential deportation or separation of military families, according to a Dec. 8 statement from the congressman’s office. “I […]

• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that $240 million is available from the Encampment Resolution Fund grant program to close down encampments and get people into housing and shelter, according to a Dec. 1 statement from the governor’s office. This move is part of the $700 million, two-year program to assist projects serving people living in […]