Dear Neighbor,
I am excited to share with you this news update about recent legislative developments and some of the work I am doing to represent our community in the California State Assembly.
The 2024-2025 California State Budget
I worked with my colleagues over the past several months to adopt the 2024-2025 California State Budget, which has been signed into law by Governor Newsom. The budget includes $297.9 billion in spending and prioritizes essential services for Californians, including K-12 and higher education, wildfire prevention and response, transportation improvements, homelessness intervention and more. This process required difficult decisions to protect taxpayers and close the budget deficit. The year ahead will require continued financial prudence and I will continue to ensure that the needs of the Central Coast are met.
In addition to passing the budget, the Legislature also voted to send two bonds to the ballot for November. Californians will get to vote to invest in critical climate resilience initiatives, along with upgrades for our public schools. I am proud to have co-authored and negotiated these bond measures.
Oversight Hearing on Wage Theft
As Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, I led a legislative oversight hearing in response to the State Auditor's recent report on wage theft. The audit identified substantial deficiencies in the California Labor Commissioner's system for assisting Californians impacted by wage theft. The audit points to the state's opportunity to significantly improve this critical service. I will continue to work closely with the State Auditor to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the critical work to protect California workers from wage theft. Watch the hearing. The full audit is available online.
You're Invited: Sidewalk Office Hours
I will be continuing my Sidewalk Office Hours event series on August 15, 16 and 17 in Goleta, Lompoc, Vandenberg Village, Santa Barbara, Guadalupe and Santa Maria. These informal meet-ups are great opportunities for us to discuss pressing issues of importance for our community. Please come by and say hello. Learn more and RSVP.
Recent Highlights
Recognizing CALM as a 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year.
Celebrating the 4th of July with community members in Montecito.
Connecting with constituents at my Hike with Hart event at the UCSB North Campus Open Space.
Visiting berry growers in the Santa Maria Valley.
Feeding a rescued sea lion at the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute on the Gaviota Coast.
Riding in the Santa Ynez Valley Pride Parade in Solvang.
Speaking to veterans from throughout California at the American GI Forum conference in Santa Maria.
Visiting Cuyama Elementary School with Senator Limòn.
Receiving the 2024 Behavioral Health Champion Award at the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies' Spring Policy Forum.
I hope that these legislative and community updates provide insight into our work together. As always, I value your feedback and encourage you to reach out with any questions, suggestions or concerns. My Santa Barbara office can be reached at (805) 564-1649 and my Santa Maria office can be reached at (805) 346-1237. You can also email me at Assemblymember.Hart@assembly.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Gregg Hart
Assemblymember, 37th District
