• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California joined the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), which brings together national and subnational governments committed to moving away from oil and gas production, according to a Nov. 11 statement. Led by Costa Rica and Denmark, the first-of-its-kind alliance will build momentum for states and nations working to phase out oil and gas production in order to support efforts toward a clean energy economy. “California is a global leader in combating the climate crisis with bold action, but we can’t meet the challenge of this existential threat alone,” Newsom said in a statement. “Together, we must move beyond oil and usher in a cleaner and greener future that safeguards our communities, environments, and the economy.” The new partnership was announced shortly after Newsom stated in October that the state is moving to prevent new oil drilling near communities and expand health protections as California works to phase out fossil fuels.
• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) announced that California gained more than 47,000 jobs in September and 812,000 total jobs this year, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released in a Nov. 3 statement. Carbajal helped support local businesses and create jobs by passing the American Rescue Plan, and the congressman continues to propel the economy forward through advocacy for two bills: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act. “The September jobs report shows that the American Rescue Plan, coupled with President Biden’s economic agenda, is working,” Carbajal said in the statement. “We are getting Californians back to work, but our job is far from over. Congress must pass … the Build Back Better Act, to build on our economic recovery by creating millions of good-paying jobs and cutting down on the cost of living for working families.” The Build Back Better Act will expand child tax credit, provide a framework to cut greenhouse gas pollution by 1 gigaton in 2030, reduce premiums for health care coverage, cut taxes for low-wage workers, and provide free preschool for all families with 3- and 4-year olds, according to the White House website.
• On Nov. 15, U.S. Rep Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) witnessed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act being signed into law at the White House. The bill is the largest federal investment in public transit, broadband, clean energy transmission, and clean water infrastructure in American history, according to Carbajal’s office. “It was an honor to stand beside my colleagues and the president as he signed the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. This bill is a once-in-a-generation investment that will propel our economy forward and improve quality of life for every American. It will provide funding the Central Coast needs to expand internet connectivity, fix dilapidated roads and bridges, and improve our public transit and clean water infrastructure,” Carbajal said in a statement. Locally, the new law will help fund Central Coast projects, including work on Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and Carpinteria and new investments for a climate resilient future, according to Marjie Kirn, executive director of Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. “We are ready for transformative action on a federal level to address the persistent backlog of transportation infrastructure and public transit options for our communities,” Kirn said in a statement. “We are encouraged and excited about the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will work with Congressman Carbajal to take advantage of the opportunities the bill presents for strong federal support on high-priority projects in our region.”
This article appears in Nov 18-25, 2021.
