SACRAMENTO
CADEM Vice Chair Betty Yee issues statement on Governor’s announcement to double down on small business relief
Small businesses are a vital component of California’s economy – employing nearly half of all private sector employees and creating two-thirds of new jobs. As the driving force of our communities, small businesses enrich our neighborhoods and are part of the immigrant community’s pathway towards the California dream. As California continues on the road to recovery, Democrats are working hard to prioritize the health of every person while fighting for small business relief.
Today’s announcement by Governor Gavin Newsom to double down on support for small businesses by investing an additional $1.5 billion in COVID-19 relief grants, demonstrates the commitment of Democratic leaders to reimagine a Golden State that works for all. Not only are we dedicated to creating the largest state small business tax cut in history, but Democrats are standing united to ensure that we come out of this pandemic stronger than ever.
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
ACWA awards scholarships to four California college students
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) awarded $17,000 in scholarships to four undergraduate students enrolled at California public universities who are pursuing degrees in water-related fields of study. The students were recognized today during ACWA’s 2021 Virtual Spring Conference.
“ACWA and its partners continue to support and promote California’s next generation of water leaders through these scholarship programs,” said ACWA President Steve LaMar.
The students and the 2021-’22 scholarship programs for which they were awarded are:
ACWA Scholarship ($3,500 each)
Sean Low, a civil engineering student at CSU Long Beach
Sasha Vanley, an environmental science student at UC Berkeley
Clair A. Hill Scholarship ($5,000 each)
David Edwards, an agri-business student at Cal Poly
Gretchen Wichman, an environmental science and policy student at CSU Monterey
For more information about ACWA’s scholarships, please visit www.acwa.com/about/scholarships.
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
$95 million shot in the arm for California’s tourism and hospitality industry
Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Quirk-Silva released the following statement regarding Governor Newsom’s announcement that the state will invest $95 million to fund SB 285, pending final budget approval, which will get California’s tourism economy back up and running – an initiative that Senator McGuire has championed for the past year and a half.
Senator Mike McGuire said, “The Governor’s announcement this morning will be a massive shot in the arm to the Golden State’s economy and help thousands of tourism-based businesses in every corner of California open their doors, rehire tens of thousands of employees and put out the welcome mat to travelers.”
McGuire worked in partnership with Assemblymember Quirk-Silva and a broad-based coalition on SB 285 over the past year and a half making today’s $95 million announcement a reality, including CalTravel (representing California’s tourism and hospitality sectors), California Teamsters Public Affairs Council (representing thousands of hotel and hospitality workers), California News Publishers Association (representing California newspapers) and the California Broadcasters Association (representing California’s TV and radio stations).
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva said. “As the State continues to work towards reopening, many of our tourism attractions are facing significant deficits. With many of them working on plans for reopening to the public, this one-time stimulus funding, that would double the initial requested amount of $45 million will help accelerate our tourism industry return and help get Californians back to work.”
This critical campaign, in consultation with the California Department of Public Health, will emphasize when it is safe to travel and how to travel safely.
The boost will deliver more than $10.3 billion in revenue to California businesses and nearly $1 billion in additional state and local tax revenue.
—Submitted
—Compiled by Ariel Carmona Jr.
