Bipartisan call to help transform California’s most disadvantaged communities
(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D – Fresno) and Mayor Ashley Swearengin (R – Fresno) testified before the California State Assembly Budget Committee today to encourage increased investment of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds in Fresno, which has the highest concentration of disadvantaged communities in the state.
“More than two thirds of the neighborhoods in Fresno are at poverty or extreme poverty levels, and changing those conditions will take deliberate action and a strong public-private partnership,” said Mayor Swearengin. “We need a catalyst for further investment that will help struggling cities overcome obstacles and bring new life to our most vulnerable communities.”
According to the California Environmental Protection Agency, Fresno ranks atop the list of California’s most disadvantaged communities, when it comes to challenges ranging from polluted water to joblessness. Nearly 50% of all census tracts in Assembly District 31 are in the top 5% while the second highest concentration is only 29% of all census tracts in AD-51 (Gomez).
In their testimony in front of the Budget Committee, Arambula and Swearengin touted the value of investing in California’s most disadvantaged communities and emphasized the significant impact such monies would have.
“I’ve seen first-hand the dire effects of poor air and water quality. If we are what we eat, drink and breathe, then we have a lot of catching up to do,” said Arambula. “The Valley deserves our fair share of these funds.”
Arambula and Swearengin are advocating for Fresno to receive its fair share of eligible cap-and-trade funds to the Legislature and the Governor.
Below are links to audio from today’s Budget Committee hearing.
Opening remarks from Dr. Arambula at today’s Committee hearing. (4:15)
Dr. Arambula says the plan he and the Mayor are proposing could effectively and efficiently change Fresno. (:10)
Dr. Arambula says short term actions will not suffice any longer. (:08)
Dr. Arambula says this is about working together for a greater collective future, not a partisan issue. (:19)
Remarks from Fresno Mayor Swearengin at today’s hearing. (13:40)