Welcome to The California Weekly, your Saturday morning recap of top stories and announcements you might have missed.

News you may have missed

1. SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA KIDS

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) broke ground on a new behavioral health facility in Turlock, California. The Hope Forward Campus will provide critical mental health and substance use disorder treatment for children and youth in the Central Valley. This continues Governor Newsom’s statewide effort to transform mental health to better support all Californians. Learn more at MentalHealth.CA.Gov. 

2. ADDRESSING AFFORDABILITY

Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order designed to reduce electric costs for Californians. The Governor’s action encourages electric bill relief, and comes as millions of Californians were supported this year by the California Climate Credit. Provided by the state’s Cap-and-Trade program, Californians received an average credit of $146 on their April electric bills and $71 on their October electric bills.

3. A CLEANER CALIFORNIA

This week, California announced two major steps forward in its clean energy and sustainability goals. First, the Biden-Harris Administration is granting more than $1 billion to California’s ports to accelerate their transition to zero-emission operations and create good-paying jobs. Second, California agreed to a first-of-its-kind partnership with the major airlines on sustainable aviation fuel – setting a goal of 200 million gallons by 2035, which would meet about 40% of California in-state travel demand. Plus, 5 new hydrogen fuel cell electric buses just launched in San Joaquin!

4. MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Continuing the Newsom Administration’s efforts to increase affordable housing, the Department of Housing Development (HCD) helped open 90 units of affordable permanent supportive housing in Napa, and a 17-unit project designed to help single parents complete post-secondary education. Also this week, the Department of Social Services (DSS) awarded $5.2M to The Phoenix Project to help add 101 affordable housing units to east Oakland. Plus, Huntington Beach just lost their NIMBY attempt to challenge state housing law.

Watch and share the news here

Here’s what we’re reading

A new analysis by Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) shows property crime decreased in 13 of the 17 years between 2007 and 2023 - now 44% lower than in 2007 and 55% lower than it was 30 years ago. And California’s violent crime rate decreased in 9 of the 17 years - now 4% lower than it was in 2007 and slightly less than half of what it was 30 years ago. Read more about Governor Newsom’s public safety efforts this week: CHP surge operation in San Bernardino; State investments to combat organized retail theft lead to arrest of over 10,000 suspects; and $2 Million for CHP to combat sideshows.

By the numbers

- $179.5 Million - in fines assessed by the Department of Managed Health Care to hold health care plans accountable for the care and support they provide Californians.

- 14 - Demonstration State Forests (managed by CAL FIRE) that act as living laboratories for research, demonstrating sustainable forestry practices, and recreation.

- 1,000 - new service positions in the Central Valley.

- 153 million - pounds of pumpkins produced in 2023 by California pumpkin growers!

LAST WEEK'S EDITION