• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently reintroduced legislation with an aim to reduce the cost of higher education for students across the country. The Degrees Not Debt Act would double the maximum Pell Grant award—which supports more than 6 million current students throughout the U.S.—to $14,800 and adjust that award cap to inflation by the 2028-29 school year, according to Carbajal’s office. “I firmly believe higher education should be a ladder to success, not a lifetime of financial strain,” Carbajal said during a press conference at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria on Oct. 3. “Today, student debt is holding back millions of Americans from building the lives they deserve, and that’s not acceptable.” Allan Hancock College, Santa Barbara City College, Cuesta College, Ventura College, University of California system, and California State University system are among the organizations that endorse the Degrees Not Debt Act. “By doubling the Pell Grant and indexing it to inflation, this legislation would make an enormous difference,” University of California Provost Katherine S. Newman said in a statement from Carbajal’s office. “We must invest in the federal financial aid programs that enable students to access a high quality and affordable education; they represent America’s future.” As of June, $151.5 billion in student loan debt belongs to California residents, with $38,300 being the average student loan debt, according to Carbajal’s office
• U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-California) and Alex Padilla (D-California) recently announced a trio of bipartisan, bicameral bills to promote tribal management of more than 2,000 acres of land in California. The bills would transfer federal land to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the Pit River Tribe, and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. “For too long, senseless conflict and bureaucratic barriers have kept California tribes from managing their ancestral lands,” Padilla said in a Sept. 29 statement. “The federal government must right these historical wrongs and uphold its trust responsibility to help tribes protect their traditions, communities, and local environment.”
• State Sen. Monique Limón’s (D-Santa Barbara) first day as 53rd president pro tempore of the California State Senate will be Nov. 17. The state Senate selected Limón for the role in June. “I look forward to working with her as she leads the state Senate during these crucial times,” state Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) said in an Oct. 2 statement. “She will make history as the first Latina to head one of California’s legislative branches—and will make the Central Coast proud, as both the Assembly speaker and Senate president will be from the Central Coast.” Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) is the Assembly speaker. In June, Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) described Limón’s selection as state Senate president pro tempore as “a reflection of her exceptional leadership, deep integrity, and ability to build consensus on the most pressing issues facing Californians,” according to a statement from the Central Coast Caucus. “Her historic appointment is a proud moment for the Central Coast and a meaningful step forward for our state during this challenging time,” Hart stated. “We are confident she will continue to lead with thoughtfulness and strength and elevate the voices of communities that have too often gone unheard.” Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) described Limón as a champion for environmental justice, women’s rights, and urgent issues specific to the Central Coast region. “As the first Latina and the second woman ever to hold this position, she continues her trend of making history and bringing others along with her,” Addis stated.
This article appears in Oct 9 – Oct 16, 2025.