Gov. Newsom Launches Clean California Day of Action and Historic Bill To Expand California’s Broadband Fiber Infrastructure

Gov. Newsom Launches Clean California Day of Action Across the State

Sacramento – Gov.Gavin Newsom July 7,  launched a statewide day of action highlighting his $1.1 billion initiative, in partnership with local governments, to revitalize California’s streets and public spaces through litter abatement and local beautification projects. 

Clean California compliments the Governor’s multi-pronged approach to tackling the homelessness crisis with record investments and innovative solutions. The Governor is proposing a $12 billion investment in proven solutions, including the expansion of Homekey, paired with strategies to ensure accountability and transparency in spending.

Clean California will substantially expand state and local litter abatement efforts and generate an estimated 10,000 to 11,000 jobs over three years, including for people exiting homelessness, at-risk youth, veterans, those reentering society from incarceration, local artists and students.

The statewide program includes potential projects in all 58 counties, with nearly a third of the funds being directly invested into cities, counties, tribes and transit agencies to clean and enhance local streets and public spaces. Caltrans will award $296 million in matching grants to fund impactful projects on local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways and transit centers in underserved, rural and urban communities. The department is developing a needs-based formula that will provide additional support to underserved communities, with a goal of funding more than 100 local projects a year. 

The initiative also includes funding for a public education campaign to foster a sense of shared responsibility for litter prevention to help protect our waterways, natural resources, public safety and health. 

Gov. Newsom, Legislative Leaders Announce Historic Broadband Budget Bill

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) July 12, announced an agreement on a broadband trailer bill, AB/SB 156, to expand the state’s broadband fiber infrastructure and increase internet connectivity for families and businesses. 

The legislation includes:

 More vital accountability and legislative oversight.

Creating a ‘broadband czar’ and nine-member council within the California Department of Technology.

Hiring a third-party to build and maintain the ‘middle-mile network’ – high-capacity fiber lines that carry large amounts of data at higher speeds over longer distances between local networks.

Investing $3.25 billion to target that middle mile and build the broadband lines.

Providing $2 billion for ‘last-mile’ infrastructure lines that will connect consumers’ homes and businesses with local networks ($1 billion for rural communities; $1 billion for urban communities).

 Details: www.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/AB/SB 156.