SACRAMENTO – A key Assembly committee today passed bills by Assembly Member Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) to protect groundwater, create incentives for more affordable housing, and allocate federal energy grants to small communities. 

“I’m delighted that I’ve been able to move these bills on to the next step,” said Caballero.  “People need and deserve clean, safe water to drink.  Voters supported the housing and parks bonds back in 2006, and I think it’s important that we put that money to work as soon as possible.” 

They are all terribly important for the cities in my district, and for communities throughout the state.”

The bills are:

• AB 2176, which establishes a framework to distribute federal energy block grants to small communities.
• AB 2182, which allocates portions of $90 million Prop. 84 bond funds to local agencies for urban revitalization planning.
• AB 2222, which requires the State Water Resources Control Board to report on areas with contaminated groundwater, and provide recommendations on how to deliver clean water to these areas.
• AB 2494, which allocates $200 million in Prop. 1C housing bond funds for housing-related parks.

The bills were passed today by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  The committee retains bills that allocate funds, placing them on a “suspense file” until the Governor has announced his May revision to the budget.  The committee then votes on the bills after receiving an update on the state’s fiscal condition.

“I’ve been careful to carry bills that don’t create new costs for the state, given our budget deficit” said Caballero.  “But if these bills are successful, then local communities will get much-need bond funds to construct new park facilities.   

“With a weak economy, we need to put people to work.  And park-poor cities can use the money.” 

The committee held two Caballero bills – neither of which would have added to state costs.  One would have set up a “bill of rights” regarding notifications to homeowners facing foreclosure.  Another would have provided technical and legal assistance for local governments that are interested in entering into agreements with private companies to help finance, build, operate or maintain important government infrastructure projects.  The latter bill was strongly supported by a range of business, local government and labor organizations that are looking for ways to jump-start the economy by building projects for which there are insufficient local tax or bond dollars.    

“It’s very disappointing to lose those bills,” said Caballero.  “They’re good bills, important for California.  One would have protected homeowners.  One would create the good-paying jobs that people so badly need.

“I won’t abandon my efforts.  We’ll just have to find ways to move forward.” 

The bills passed by the Appropriations Committee now move to the Assembly floor, for a vote by the full Assembly.  All Assembly and Senate bills must be voted out of their house of origin by next Friday, May 30.