Sánchez votes to pass government spending package, secures funding for 15 community projects in CA-38
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38) voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, a package of twelve government funding bills that will help lower the cost of living for hardworking families, create better-paying jobs, and assist communities most in need. The package also includes emergency supplemental funding to better respond to increasingly catastrophic natural disasters and extreme weather events, as well as emergency resources to support the Ukrainian people.
The package includes several measures that Congresswoman Sánchez sponsored and fought to deliver, including: $28,428,707 for 15 different community projects in California's 38th Congressional District, Congresswoman Sánchez's bill to improve access to retirement savings for small business owners, and a bill co-authored by Congresswomen Sánchez and Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) to rename the West Covina Post Office after the late Congressman Esteban E. Torres.
"I am deeply proud to vote for this bipartisan government funding package and send it to President Biden for his signature today," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "This legislation will make life better for working families by creating good-paying jobs and investing directly in communities that need it most. It also addresses some of the biggest challenges we face today, from strengthening our national security to investing in emergency disaster relief—which is critical for wildfire victims in California and across the country."
Congresswoman Sánchez continued: "As the Ukrainian people continue to valiantly fight back against unprovoked Russian aggression, the United States and our allies must continue to stand with them. I am grateful that this funding package includes critical aid for the Ukrainian people, which will help put an end to this needless war and ensure a democratic future for Ukraine."
"Small businesses fuel our economy and allow our communities to thrive. Unfortunately, the hard-working Americans who keep our small businesses running are often left with few options to save for retirement. I am glad that the spending package includes my bill, the Starter K Act, to help small business owners provide their employees with streamlined, cost-effective retirement plans."
"Finally, I am proud to have secured funding for 15 community projects that were specifically requested by residents, local organizations, and cities in my district. From creating more affordable housing to improving public transport, these are critical investments that will directly benefit our communities," Congresswoman Sánchez said.
The projects, which are listed in alphabetical order, include:
$3,000,000 for the City of Artesia. The funding will be used to transform an unused parcel of land at the Artesia Botanical Gardens into usable park space for residents to enjoy. The City of Artesia will maintain the existing forest area and enhance it with educational features to teach children and families about caring for plants and trees, California's climate, and the benefits of preserving forestry.
$4,000,000 for Foothill Transit. The funding will be used to procure double deck zero emissions buses in the San Gabriel Valley of LA County. With this capital project, Foothill Transit will continue to lead the way to cleaner, smarter transit in one of the most congested regions in the country. The buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve residents' quality of life and access to vital resources such as medical services and groceries.
$500,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. The funding will support construction of 18 new-construction homes in Santa Fe Springs to be sold with an affordable mortgage to low-income families. This is Habitat LA's contribution to the Lakeland Development project, a public-private partnership working to expand affordable housing in the area.
$1,420,000 for the City of Hawaiian Gardens. The funding will be used to upgrade athletic facilities, fields, and concession stands at parks and sports fields across the City of Hawaiian Gardens. The goal of these upgrades is to provide safe recreational facilities for the community to enjoy.
$2,500,000 for the LA County Department of Public Works' South Whittier Communities Bikeways Access Project. The funding will be used for the installation of bike lanes and bike boulevards, wayfinding signage, roadway resurfacing, landscaping medians, streetlights, and more.
$620,000 for the LA County Department of Public Works' Sunshine Shuttle Route C Electric Buses and Charging Infrastructure Project. The funding will be used to acquire two electric buses for the Sunshine Shuttle service, replacing existing buses that are now beyond their service life. Sunshine Shuttle provides Los Nietos and South Whittier area residents access to shopping centers, community centers, medical facilities, parks and recreation areas, libraries, job training, and employment sites for Cal-WORKS recipients.
$2,500,000 for the City of La Mirada. The funding will be used to construct landscaped median improvements in the City of La Mirada, which will improve traffic safety, enhance the aesthetics of the streetscape, and provide ecological and environmental benefits.
$2,211,745 for the City of Montebello. This funding will be used to upgrade radio systems used by the City of Montebello's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and public safety agencies. Better radio communications will help ensure first responders, fire, and law enforcement professionals can communicate effectively in situations that often mean the difference between life or death.
$976,962 for the City of Norwalk. The City of Norwalk's Senior Center and the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex function as emergency, temporary shelters for those in need during emergency events. However, these facilities do not currently have generators. This funding will be used to procure and install a dedicated emergency backup generator at each of these locations.
$2,200,000 for the Norwalk La-Mirada Unified School District (NLMUSD). One of the cornerstones of NLMUSD is the Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways and Dual Enrollment access to college-based curriculum for college credit. This funding will help NLMUSD build a virtual learning environment so that students in CTE pathways, Dual Enrollment, and other programs can have remote access to educational materials on demand.
$1,050,000 for the City of Pico Rivera. The funding will be used to transform an underutilized and blighted bus depot into a colorful and vibrant neighborhood park that features 14 new canopy trees and drought resistant native landscaping, a grassy knoll and performance amphitheater, decorative fencing, creative solar panel shade structures, a butterfly garden, community-based artwork, children's play areas, free Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The PAD Park will also commit space dedicated to incubating small, home-grown businesses such as galleries, cafés, bakeries, and other vendors.
$2,000,000 for the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The funding will be used to implement a Workforce Development Program for adults and at-risk youth from disadvantaged communities (DACs) who are experiencing homelessness. Funding will be prioritized for residents of the City of Montebello's Operation Stay Safe. The Program will provide participants with paid work experiences and supportive services, placing them on a pathway to economic security.
$2,200,000 for the City of Santa Fe Springs. The funding will be used to bring Water Well No. 12 into operation and provide safe, affordable drinking water for residents and businesses. Water Well No. 12 was constructed in 2015 but has never been in operation due to its inability to pass state and federal drinking water standards.
$750,000 for the City of Whittier. The funding will be used to convert 8 acres of underutilized property at Whittier Union High School's Sierra Education Complex into shared community recreation space. When complete, the space can be used for youth sports programs that serve more than 2,000 young people annually.
$2,500,000 for Water Replenishment District of Southern California. The funding will be used to treat three PFAS-affected wells, helping to ensure residents of Whittier, Montebello, and La Habra have access to clean drinking water.
The package includes H.R. 7832, legislation co-authored by Reps. Sánchez and Napolitano to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility at 396 South California Avenue in West Covina the "Esteban E. Torres Post Office."
"Congressman Esteban Torres was a trailblazer for Latinos and a champion for the working class," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "He was deeply proud of where he was from and who he represented. Renaming the post office in his honor is a fitting tribute to Congressman Torres' decades of service. I look forward to President Biden signing this bill into law very soon and ensuring his legacy lives on in our community."
A full list of the Community Projects Requests submitted by Congresswoman Sánchez to the Appropriations Committee can be found here.
A detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus spending package is available here.
The legislation now heads to President Biden's desk for his signature.
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