• The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians received a $1.4 million grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help with the planning and community engagement efforts for an 8.7-mile path that would connect the Santa Ynez Reservation with Buellton, Solvang, and other parts of the valley. “Our tribe is thankful for receiving this grant and having the opportunity to create a network of bike and pedestrian trails for use by all Santa Ynez Valley residents and visitors, with the aim of reducing traffic, establishing safe passageways, and improving the environment,” Tribal Chair Kenneth Kahn said in a press release from U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal’s office (D-Santa Barbara). Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said the money would enable a “long-held and widely shared vision” for a connector trail along the Santa Ynez River to become a “plan for action.” “This will be a transformational project, linking many destinations along its route, and making mobility a peak experience for residents and visitors alike,” she said in the release. The funding comes from the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, which funds projects that will provide safe and connected transportation facilities, according to Carbajal’s office. The congressman said that improving connectivity on the Central Coast was one of his core missions when helping to put the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law together. “After more than $1 billion already awarded to our region, it is clear that this core achievement of my work with the Biden-Harris administration is providing for a widespread revitalization of our infrastructure and improved quality of life across our entire Central Coast,” Carbajal said.
• On Jan. 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that his 2025-26 state budget proposal includes about an 8 percent reduction in ongoing state funding for California’s two university systems. This includes a $375 million proposed cut to the California State University System and a $271 million cut for the University of California System. State Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), who chairs the Budget Subcommittee on Education, said he was steadfast in his commitment to protecting investments and initiatives made in the TK-12 education and higher education systems. “I am disappointed reductions have been proposed in both the University of California and California State University budgets. We will explore ways to restore these cuts, particularly to the CSUs,” Laird said in a press release. “While current projections indicate no deficit, the incoming federal administration has signaled plans to withdraw funding for vital programs that Californians depend on. We must prioritize protecting funding for education, climate initiatives, transportation, firefighting, and efforts to reduce the cost of living for Californians.” CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia said the impact of the cuts would have “real-world consequences, both in and out of the classroom.” “Larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, and a reduced workforce will hinder students’ ability to graduate on time and weaken California’s ability to meet its increasing demands for a diverse and highly educated workforce,” Garcia said in a statement. “Communities that thrive on the CSU’s investments in student learning, service, and local partnerships will struggle if the university system’s resources are diminished.”
• The members of the California Legislative Central Coast Caucus, including co-chairs Assemblymembers Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) and Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara), extended their “deepest sympathy, solidarity, and support to the communities and our colleagues impacted in the Los Angeles region” by January’s wildfires. “The Central Coast knows all too well about the devastating and long-lasting impacts of large-scale disasters,” a statement said. “We are proud of the brave first responders from our counties, who have been sent to assist the containment efforts, and we hope that they can return home safely once the job is done.”
This article appears in Jan 16-26, 2025.
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