• On Aug. 10, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) secured $1.3 million in new federal funding for the Santa Barbara Airport for a range of infrastructure upgrades. According to Carbajal’s office, the funding will specifically go toward installing new signage and markings on one of the airport’s runways, reconstructing on-site pavement, and upgrading taxiways. “The Santa Barbara Airport serves as a vital gateway to our community, welcoming both visitors and business travelers. Because the airport plays such a significant role in Santa Barbara’s economy, continued investment in its infrastructure is essential,” Carbajal stated in a release. “This federal funding will help ensure the airport can meet future needs and continue delivering reliable air service to our region.” The recent funding is from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Infrastructure Grant program, which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings. Since its passage in 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered more than $1 billion in funding to projects across the Central Coast. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Carbajal played a role in crafting and passing the legislation in partnership with the Biden administration. “The Santa Barbara Airport is grateful for this continued federal investment in our infrastructure,” airport director Christopher Hastert said in an Aug. 10 statement. “These funds will support critical pavement and taxiway rehabilitation projects that keep our airport safe, reliable, and ready to serve the Central Coast for years to come.”
• Drafted by state Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), two measures—Senate Joint Resolution 12 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 136—designed to protect and celebrate California’s coastline passed the California Legislature on Aug. 3. SJR 12 expresses bipartisan opposition to the federal government’s proposed offshore oil and gas leasing program in California, and SCR 136 commemorates the 50th anniversary of both the Coastal Act and the Coastal Conservancy Act, as both passed in 1976. “For 50 years, California has made the choice to protect our coastline and SCR 136 celebrates that enduring commitment,” Laird said in an Aug. 3 statement. He described the two new measures as reflecting California’s continued leadership in protecting its coast both by defending it from emerging threats and by reaffirming the foundational policies that have protected it for generations. “We must continue working to protect our ocean, our communities, and the economic vitality that depends on a healthy coastline,” stated Laird, whose office added that SJR 12 specifically reinforces long-standing concerns about the risks offshore drilling poses to coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and the state’s coastal economy.
•On Aug. 6, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) introduced the Fairness to Freedom Act of 2026—legislation designed to guarantee the right to legal representation for all individuals facing deportation or any legal immigration proceeding if they are unable to afford it. “President Trump’s cruel immigration agenda has caused unimaginable, long-lasting harm in our communities, leading to unlawful deportations that have torn thousands of families apart. Having access to legal counsel during immigration proceedings is essential to fair outcomes, yet beyond the reach of many,” Schiff said in a statement. “Our nation has been shaped for the better by the extraordinary contributions of immigrants, and I’m leading this bill to ensure that families have a fighting chance to present their cases and achieve fair results in the courts.” In the U.S. Senate, the legislation’s co-sponsors include U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California), Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).
This article appears in August 13 – August 20, 2026.
