Press Release

Senator Min Brings $31.75 Million in Direct Investments to Orange County for Firefighters, Parks, and Infrastructure

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) announced today that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the 2022-23 State Budget into law, securing $31.75 million in direct appropriations for local priorities in the 37th Senate District. In another fiscal year with a record budget surplus, Min again supported a variety of Orange County based projects that continue to highlight the region’s rising return on investment from Sacramento.

“I am so excited to announce that California’s 2022-23 Budget will be prioritizing Orange County and Senate District 37,” Min said. “Orange County’s incredible outdoor spaces will be further enhanced by funding for open space and infrastructure needs, and we will continue to emphasize addressing the growing problem of wildfires by doubling down on resources for local firefighters. Thank you to Governor Newsom and our Legislative leaders for continuing to support local priorities that have the power to transform and improve the quality of life for the residents of the 37th Senate District, and beyond.”

Min championed the following items in the 2022-23 Budget:

  • $16.95 million to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) for a new Wildland Hand Crew Station that will house up to 60 personnel, 30 vehicles, HeloPods, and fire equipment.

    • The state contracts through CALFIRE with six counties, including Orange County, to protect 3.4 million acres of State Responsibility Areas. This funding will add two OCFA hand crews that will provide coverage seven days a week for vegetation management, hazardous fuel reduction, and wildland fire suppression.
  • $10 million to the City of Costa Mesa for the park upgrades at Jack Hammett Sports Complex, TeWinkle Athletic Complex, Fairview Park Mesa, and Shalimar Park.

    • The funding allows for a citywide overhaul of key projects aimed at improving access to open space and recreational amenities throughout Costa Mesa, including the expansion of Shalimar Park, which serves disadvantaged neighborhoods lacking open space.
  • $4.8 million to the City of Tustin for modernization and infrastructure improvements at Centennial Park, located near the City’s Historic “Old Town Tustin” District.

    • The project will remove and replace the existing playgrounds with new equipment, surfacing, and shade structure. In addition, the funds will be used for irrigation, landscaping, and turf and drainage improvements.

This year’s funding builds on Min’s efforts in FY 2021-22 where $34.5 million was directed toward local initiatives, including ALERTWildfire prevention technology, completion of the City of Irvine’s Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST), and the inaugural Orange County Sustainability Decathlon slated for the fall of 2023 at the OC Fair & Event Center.

Additionally, as a principal coauthor of Senate Bill (SB) 87, Min was able to jumpstart California’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program that infused $2.1 billion statewide and was later doubled to $4 billion by the Governor. To date, $65 million has been awarded to over 5,000 small businesses throughout the 37th Senate District to support economic recovery.

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