Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) recently joined with a coalition of representatives from throughout California to show support for Assembly Bill 1567, also known as the California Climate Resilience Bond.
As the legislature works to adopt a state budget amidst deficit pressures, Garcia and assemblymembers from diverse areas of the state held a press conference on June 14 to rally support for the $15.9 billion funding measure which addresses climate-related issues. They see the passage of a climate bond as necessary to keep commitments to the state's resources and for quick action on climate crisis remedies.
“California must act, must take the lead with a comprehensive, equitable climate crisis response,” Garcia said in a June 14 press release. “Our most vulnerable constituents are paying the cost as the real-time consequences of climate change escalate. We need to make big investments now to uphold our commitments, protect our communities and protect California’s future. Our climate bond outlines an equity-focused investment plan to address diverse regional needs while prioritizing underserved, environmentally vulnerable areas and creating new jobs.”
AB 1567 would direct more than $15.9 billion at well-demonstrated strategies and equitable investments designed to protect communities in the state, according to the release. Investments would cover a wide variety of climate-related challenges including wildfire danger, drought, rising sea levels and extreme temperatures. Additionally, the measure grows jobs to develop a related workforce.
With approval gained from the State Assembly, the bill now needs committee referral in the State Senate to progress. Garcia and other advocates of the bond used the press conference to issue a call to action in conjunction with California State Parks Week. Their goal is to move the bill forward quickly with support from advocates for statewide parks and natural lands, the press release said.
“Climate change has exacerbated the length and intensity of extreme weather events,” Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-San Fernando Valley) said in the press release. “California has seen atmospheric rivers that have flooded homes and devastating wildfires that have burned down entire neighborhoods. As legislators, we have an obligation to create and pass policy that protects Californians from these extreme weather events despite their socioeconomic status, and invest in legislation that ensures our infrastructure is reliable at the time of natural disasters.”
Another voice of support for climate relief was Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael), who called the bill a testament to the state's commitment to a sustainable resilient future.
“As the chair of the Select Committee on Wildlife Prevention, I am proud to be a joint author on this transformative legislation. AB 1567 is a roadmap that addresses our climate crisis head on by ensuring support for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought resilience, flood protection, clean energy and more," he said.
Ultimately, the future of this legislation will rest with California voters, the release said.
Garcia assumes the role of chairman for the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy, the Assembly Select Committee on California's Lithium Economy and the Assembly Select Committee on California Mexico Binational Affairs. He serves California's 36th Assembly District, which covers Imperial County as well as cities and communities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to the press release.