• Gov. Gavin Newsom and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new partnership on June 9 to advance bold climate action, according to Newsom’s office. California and Canada signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC)—a document that outlines shared objectives—to fight climate change, reduce pollution, cut back on plastic waste, advance zero-emission vehicles, protect the environment, and build climate resilience. “We can’t fight the climate crisis on our own—we need to work together with partners all across the globe to achieve humanity’s most important task: saving our planet,” Newsom said in a statement. “This partnership with Canada is a vital step on California’s path to a cleaner, greener future and is the latest expression of our shared values. Together, we are building a more sustainable and resilient future for millions and lighting the path for other nations and nation-states to follow our lead.” Trudeau added that Canadians and Californians share a commitment to building clean energy resources in the future. “Today, as we launch a new partnership on climate action and nature protection, we’re teaming up to deliver the clean air, healthy environment, and good jobs our citizens deserve. I look forward to everything we can do next to deepen our shared work,” Trudeau said.
• On June 6, U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) visited the Santa Maria Airport, touting the more than $8 million in funding that already made its way to the Central Coast thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed into law seven months ago. As part of the $9.7 billion already allocated to California for transportation, climate, energy, and environmental project, “These funds are just the beginning of what is to come,” Carbajal said in a statement. “From improvements to Santa Maria’s commercial and tourism capacities through its airport to upgrades and reliance projects from Paso Robles to Ventura, the investments that our landmark legislation will deliver over the next half decade will create jobs and grow our local economies for years to come.” The Santa Maria Airport is receiving about $1 million to repair and upgrade taxilanes at the airport, according to the statement. About $6.73 million total was allocated to fund projects at airports across the Central Coast.
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) and U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Riverside) introduced legislation to create the César E. Chávez and Farmworker Movement National Historical Park, according to Padilla’s office. This bill would preserve the nationally significant sites associated with César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement in Arizona and California. César E. Chávez is a Latino icon and civil rights leader, labor leader, and community organizer whose legacy is intricately connected to the story of California, the farmworker movement, and the push for worker and civil rights. Chávez empowered Latinos and farmworkers to fight for fair wages, health care coverage, pension benefits, housing improvements, and countless other protections for their well-being, the statement continued. “Our National Park System tells the story of our nation and preserves the people, ideas, and movements that we value as Americans,” Padilla said in a statement. “Establishing the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park will pay proper homage to a Latino icon and civil rights leader who fought tirelessly for the dignity, respect, and equal treatment of farmworkers and to the movement he created that carries on today.” Padilla partnered with the César Chávez Foundation to honor his work and provide efforts to ensure more Americans can see themselves in national parks and “be inspired by the leaders who came before them,” he said.
This article appears in Jun 16-23, 2022.