SACRAMENTO >> This week Governor Brown signed the 2017-2018 California State Budget into law. Among the numerous provisions of the budget are two that Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) fought for fiercely as they are vitally important to Yolo, Napa, and Lake counties.
The first provision provides $800,000 in critical funding for the reconstruction of the County Road 40 low water bridge that connects Yolo, Napa, and Lake counties. This bridge is vital during the fire season to ensure that emergency services have quick and ready access to northern Yolo County and the eastern mountainous regions of Lake and Napa counties.
“Rebuilding this bridge is essential to protecting our residents and the surrounding area from future fires and natural disasters that threaten to devastate the region,” said Aguiar-Curry. “Providing funding for this project will ensure that any future emergency response efforts are not hindered by insufficient and unsafe infrastructure.”
The second funding priority is specific to Lake County: $2 million to help implement the revitalization of Clear Lake and its regional economy, as outlined in Aguiar-Curry’s AB 707.
Clear Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in California and the center of the region’s community and economy.
“Today, the State of California made its first down payment toward improving the environmental health of Clear Lake,” Aguiar-Curry said. “This startup funding gets us so much more than a healthy lake; it is also an investment in Lake County’s local economy and its people.”
The announcement that the $2 million for Clear Lake had been included in the budget was applauded by Lake County leaders.
“Clear Lake has always carried deep cultural and economic significance for our tribe,” said Middletown Rancheria Tribal Council Chairman, Jose “Moke” Simon III, who also serves on the county Board of Supervisors. “The $2 million funding will be of great help in our efforts moving forward.”
AB 707, which has received near-unanimous support, now moves to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Water on July 11.
