Press Release

Senator Dave Min Secures $10 Million in 2023-24 Budget for Local Orange County Priorities

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) announced that he was able to procure nearly $10 million for local priorities in the 2023-24 California State Budget, even as tax revenues have significantly declined. The State Budget, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom late Tuesday night, includes disbursements for ten local projects in the 37th Senate District requested by Senator Min, including investments in water management, arts education and public safety technology.

“For too long, Orange County taxpayers have not had a seat at the table in the California state budget process, and as the saying goes, if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” said Senator Dave Min. “Representation matters, and I’ve been honored to be able to represent Orange County in our state budget proceedings, and to have been able to bring back substantial funding for local priorities in each of my first three years in the State Senate. I’m particularly proud of the money we were able to bring back in this year’s budget because of the fiscal challenges we have faced. I will continue to fight for my local communities and their priorities in the State Senate.”

Since being elected to the State Senate in 2020, Min has served on the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, which is responsible for reviewing and negotiating the annual budget each year in tandem with the California Assembly and Governor Gavin Newsom. Prior to this year, Senator Min had secured nearly $70 million in direct budget appropriations for his district, including nearly $30 million for wildfire prevention and additional funds for open spaces, parks, and climate innovation, and was also a principal coauthor of SB 87, which provided $2.1 billion in funding for small businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s newly enacted budget includes funding requested by Senator Min for the following local projects, totaling $9,765,000:
 

  • City of Irvine: $990,000 to obtain Real Time Crime Center Dispatch Equipment.  The funds will be used to replace current patrol vehicles with electric vehicles and acquire equipment for the Criminal Investigation Division Unit and general police safety.
     
  • City of Newport Beach: $1.6 million for the acquisition of an aquatic trash interceptor to be located in the San Diego Creek, upstream from the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. The trash interceptor will be installed on a floating platform with a boom system to direct trash through a spinning rake onto a conveyor belt and deposit trash, removing the debris before it reaches the Nature Preserve.
     
  • City of Laguna Beach: $1.525 million for the rehabilitation of the Moss Street Beach concrete pathways, stairways, and bridge structures for improved public beach access. In addition, there is funding for the construction of a dog park play area at Moulton Meadows Park that will have new benches for users, new trash and recycling receptacles, and planter area.
     
  • City of Huntington Beach: $1.45 million for the HB Ride Circuit Shuttle Program to improve micro-mobility, reduce car traffic, and provide low cost, on-demand transit to residents and visitors on all-electric shuttle. In addition, funds will be allocated to the Navigation Center, a 174-bed shelter and multi-service center for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
     
  • University of California, Irvine: $1 million to the Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable and Able Leaders for Water program, which will promote education, training and career placement of under-represented groups in the state’s water sector.
     
  • Pacific Symphony: $2 million for the expansion of Education and Community Enrichment Programs including Symphony on the Go, Symphony in the Cities, Heartstrings, Music and Wellness, Elementary School Education, and Veterans Initiative.
     
  • Orange County Museum of Art: $250,000 for the Museum's educational public programs that provide access to art free of charge for the broadest possible audience.
     
  • Orange Coast College: $950,000 to replace the campus based Early Childhood Lab School and outdoor classroom equipment.

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