• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) called out House Republicans for “dragging their feet” on finalizing government funding for the current fiscal year, leaving more than $14 million in funding specifically designated for Central Coast projects in limbo, according to a Dec. 18 statement from Carbajal’s office. “Republican leadership in Congress has spent months prioritizing culture war poison pills over governing, refusing to work across the aisle to reach a funding deal for this year. These needless delays have real impacts on the Central Coast,” Carbajal said in the statement. “The funding in limbo will help build new fire stations, renovate public spaces, and improve education and public safety in our region. I urge my colleagues to drop the extremism that has caused these delays and reengage with House Democrats so we can finalize the funding levels for a fiscal year that we’re already one-fourth through.” The funding for Central Coasts projects includes $2.4 million for new fire stations in Santa Maria and Santa Margarita; $1 million for renovations at the Guadalupe Senior Center; and $1.8 million for public safety upgrades in Ventura and SLO counties.
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) was elected to serve as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, according to a Dec. 18 statement from Padilla’s office. As a ranking member, Padilla said he will be focused on strengthening democracy and ensuring that every eligible citizen is able to freely, fairly, and fully participate in elections. He will also conduct oversight over Capitol operations. He said he believes that “democracy is strongest when every eligible American participates,” and he has spent his career “fighting to expand and preserve voting rights.” While serving as California’s secretary of state, Padilla implemented automatic and same-day voter registration, expanded vote-by-mail, and launched early vote centers. In the Senate, Padilla has pushed for stronger voting rights and bipartisan election administration reforms, and increased funding to modernize and secure our elections. “I recognize the importance of protecting and defending free and fair elections,” Padilla said in the statement. “And whether it’s in the Capitol, the Library of Congress, or the Smithsonian museums, I will work to ensure that our government institutions serve the American people more effectively, efficiently, and equitably.”
• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Dec. 17 that California’s Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel identified and approved reading difficulties risk screening instruments. Local educational agencies (LEAs) can use these tools to meet a new requirement taking effect for the 2025-26 school year to annually screen all kindergarten through second grade students for risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia, according to Newsom’s office. Current law does not require California’s students to be screened for reading difficulties. Identifying and addressing reading difficulties earlier in childhood can help students succeed and prevent them from falling behind their peers, his office said. “I know from my own challenges with dyslexia that when we help children read, we help them succeed. … We are taking an important step toward early, universal reading screenings for California’s kids,” Newsom said in a statement. “When added to other investments that we have made to funding literacy coaches and reading specialists at high-needs schools, as well as professional development for teachers in the state, we are doubling down on our commitment to ensure no student falls behind in their reading, or on their path toward a happy, successful future.”
This article appears in Dec 26, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025.