The 2022-23 State Budget provided several significant investments to various state programs, including providing direct relief to Californians and investing in our state’s education, housing, and healthcare systems. In addition to this funding, I am proud to have been able to secure a significant amount of resources for the San Diego region and our district.
I was able to allocate critical funds for the City of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Department. These funds will help a number of parks throughout San Diego make necessary upgrades to amenities, including improvements to meet new ADA requirements and recreational facilities. The following parks will receive funding:
- Rancho Bernardo Community Park will receive $790,000 for the design and construction of tennis courts, sports field lighting, and parking lot improvements to meet ADA requirements.
- The Black Mountain Mine Open Space Park will receive $500,000 to conduct an environmental study to ensure that the area is safe for the public and wildlife.
I am also happy to share that I was able to award $10 million for the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), a local non-profit organization that provides job seekers with essential skills and tools to help them gain employment and become assets to local businesses. The San Diego Workforce Partnership provides services to a diverse group of participants, 88% of whom are women and people of color.
The SDWP offers an extensive list of services to both job seekers and businesses, including hosting career fairs, offering behavioral health pathways, connecting young adults to internships in the region, providing layoff transition services, and much more. This funding will help the SDWP provide invaluable job training opportunities for these individuals in the Public istration and Healthcare Sector programs.
Additionally, I am pleased to have secured $1 million for the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). The ICAC has seen an increase in child exploitation cases since 2008. In 2021, the office was made aware of a record-breaking 8,161 cases. This drastic increase has demonstrated the need for new investigator positions, updated training, and specialized equipment to help the ICAC protect children from exploitation and arrest sexual predators.
These funds will help the ICAC continue their technological advances to help protect our children in San Diego County from exploitation and abuse.
I am proud to have been able to appropriate $500,000 to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for the construction of a water “Dip Tank” in San Pasqual Valley. Community leaders have identified the need for a reliable source of water during wildfire season to help ensure public safety in our region. The tank will help our first responders quickly access this life-saving resource while decreasing response times.
Finally, I am happy to share I secured funding in the amount of $500,000 for the Step Out Lead Every Day (SOLE) Effects Program. The SOLE Program offers 8 Action-Focused Leadership Lessons to high school students in San Diego County. These lessons are centered around teaching students how to be successful and confident future leaders while maintaining a healthy and purpose-driven life.
It is an honor to represent you as your Assemblymember and I am confident that these investments will provide significant benefit to our district and our region. If you have any questions about this funding, please reach out to my office at (858) 675-0077.
Maienschein represents the 77th District in the California Assembly. The district includes Poway, Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch.
