SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) thanks Governor Newsom for signing a budget agreement that, amongst other things, includes $25 million ongoing to make debt free college a reality for foster youth, $55 million retained for local water projects, and over $10 million for Senate District 8 priorities.

“This balanced budget is a collaborative effort between the Governor and Legislature that reflects our state’s shared priorities – and it is great for Senate District 8,” said Senator Ashby. “I am thrilled to have helped secure funding to support the City of Refuge’s efforts to combat homelessness by building supportive housing for victims of sex trafficking. Other funding coming to Senate District 8 will support various community improvement projects across the Cities of Elk Grove and Sacramento, helping make our district a better place to live.”

Senate District 8 will benefit from more than $10 million in funding in the 2023-2024 California State Budget, including:

• $8 million to the City of Refuge in Oak Park, which will support new supportive housing development for victims of human sex trafficking
• $1 million to the City of Sacramento for community improvement projects
• $1 million to the City of Elk Grove for community improvement projects
• $200,000 to Fairy Tale Town to complete capital improvements
• $150,000 to Sacramento Street Soccer to build restrooms

Senator Ashby secured $25 million in annual on-going funding that will support debt-free college for foster youth. The funding will be available through the Fostering Futures Program, within the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS Program.) This funding will allow foster youth enrolled in an associate’s degree or certificate program at a community college or a four-year program at a CSU or UC to have 100% of their unmet needs covered after other aid is applied, including housing.

In addition to local and state funding, Senator Ashby preserved funding in the State Budget that retained $55 million in local water resilience and environmental projects.

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About Senator Angelique V. Ashby

Senator Angelique V. Ashby represents Sacramento County. She is the first woman elected to represent the metropolitan area of Sacramento in the State Senate in more than 20 years. She was elected to the Sacramento City Council in 2010. She was the sole woman for more than half of her 12 year tenure and the only member in city history to serve as Vice Mayor or Mayor pro Tem for 8 years. She is a graduate of McGeorge School of Law, and earned her baccalaureate at the University of California at Davis. She and her husband Zac have three children and live in the City of Sacramento.

For more information, visit Senator Ashby’s Website here or find her on Twitter at @SenatorAshby