- Ariel Gibbs
- Communications Manager
- (619) 531-7913
- Ariel.Gibbs@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO -- The California State Legislature has voted to pass the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Assemblymember Akilah Weber, MD (D-San Diego) issues the following statement:
“I am proud to have voted for a budget bill that contained so many common sense investments that will move our State towards an equitable recovery. From the inclusion of universal transitional kindergarten to substantial investments in aid to small businesses, this budget will provide much needed relief to the many San Diegans impacted by the pandemic.”
The bill, AB 128, contains several items that could provide substantial relief to San Diego County residents and business owners. In an effort to help mitigate the fiscal impacts suffered during the shutdown, the bill proposes $2 billion dollars in tax relief for small businesses in addition to funding for a grant program that will support the recovery of small business entities.
AB 128 also contains funding to study the long-term impacts of health care disparities that exist in California. The proposed report will contain a collection of available health and health-related data for the purpose of analyzing and reporting health disparities and recommendations for reducing those disparities.
“I’m especially pleased to see the inclusion of proposed funding to initiate the Annual Health Disparities Report, which will include an analysis of data related to the social determinants of health,” says Assemblymember Weber. “I commend the Assembly and Senate Budget leaders, and their staff, for crafting a comprehensive budget that allocates resources to the many sectors that struggled during the pandemic. These investments reflect our commitment to building a stronger California as we emerge from the pandemic.”
AB 128 passed the Assembly by a vote of 58-3. The bill is on its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
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Asssemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. was elected April 2021 to represent California's 79th Assembly District, which includes parts of Southeast San Diego, Bonita, Chula Vista, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and National City. Website of Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D: www.a79.asmdc.org