June Means California State Budget

Last month, the governor signed the 2026-27 California State budget. The budget ensures the state has a plan to responsibly balance the budget for the future while keeping essential programs funded, like childcare, CalFood, and affordable housing. Additionally, the Senate, Assembly, and Governor agreed to place a historic $11.25 billion housing affordability bond on the November 2026 ballot. The bond would make long-term investments in affordable housing and homeownership, accelerating housing production while creating lasting housing opportunities for Californians.

First Latina to Serve as Acting Governor

I also had the opportunity to serve as Acting Governor, marking the first time a Latina has served as Acting Governor of California. I also became the second woman to be the Acting Governor since pro Tempore Emeritus Tony Atkins in 2024. During that time, I signed 4 bills into law, which bring timely process modernizations, reduce administrative burdens, and conserve taxpayers’ money. I was honored to sign these bills as Acting Governor, and I thank the authors for their work on these policies that support the function of local government.

#ConLimón In the District

UCSB Women’s Rugby Team Wins National Title

Representatives from Central Coast and throughout the state traveled to Sacramento to attend the California Women’s Economic Summit last month. We spoke about the importance of women in the workforce and why childcare is a key aspect of retaining talented women in the workforce. 

Ventura County Recognizes Pride Month

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to celebrate Pride Month in June. Our office attended the floor session to support Ventura County as SD 21 continues to uplift all our LGBTQ+ community members. 

Pride Prom in Bullerton

Bullerton celebrated Pride Month by holding a prom at The Tavern in Zaca Creek. Attendees dressed up in their favorite era to honor the “Through the Ages” theme. From classic hits to top 20 songs, members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies danced the night away. All the proceeds went to Santa Ynez Valley Pride and House of Pride and Equality.

Santa Clara River Valley Pride Brunch

One Step a la Vez hosted the Santa Clara Valley Pride Brunch & Community Resources Fair. Internationally acclaimed filmmaker K. Rocco Shields served as the inspirational speaker for the night. Community leader Sal Fuentes also received the SCRV Pride 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Downtown Lompoc Juneteenth Celebration 

The Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch of the NAACP hosted an event in downtown Lompoc to commemorate Juneteenth. Community members celebrated the contributions of Black Americans.

EMS Corps Graduation Ceremony in Oxnard

EMS Corps in Oxnard held its graduation ceremony for Cohort 3 last month. The graduating class was sworn in to serve the city of Oxnard after five months of training. Graduates are equipped with EMT certifications, life skills, and physical fitness conditioning to become emergency medical responders.

Santa Paula 2026 State of the City

Santa Paula held its annual State of the City last month. The theme, “Working Together for You,” highlighted a shared commitment to the community. That included updates on City initiatives, accomplishments, and priorities for the year ahead. The City also presented a donation to Santa Paula High School KARD TV for state-of-the-art film equipment.

Santa Barbara Zoo Releases Snowy Plover Chicks

The Santa Barbara Zoo released Snowy Plover chicks into the wild after rehabbing them. The Snowy Plover is a small shorebird that is considered a threatened species. The population has been affected by habitat loss and a growing number of predators. We are proud of the Santa Barbara Zoo for its continued conservation efforts on behalf of the Snowy Plover.

STATE FUNDING IN SD21 

Campus Park Activation in Oxnard 

The City of Oxnard broke ground on the Campus Activation Project last month. The space, located on the former Oxnard High School Campus, will be reimagined into a community park featuring a garden, a dog park, and walking trails. This $23.1 million project is funded largely through state and federal grants, including: 

• $8.5 million from the California Department of Parks and Recreation
• $3.5 million from the California Natural Resources Agency
• $3.5 million from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• $6.7 million from the National Park Service

To read more, click here. 

[Photo Credit: Santa Barbara City College]

New Microgrid for Santa Barbara City College 

The California Energy Commission awarded a $4.2 million state grant to Santa Barbara City College for the installation of two Tesla Megapack battery storage systems and 1.6 megawatts of solar arrays. This project will qualify the school as a community resilience hub. SBCC will be able to provide backup power for up to 24 hours in power outages.

Resources

Summer Youth Ride Free

Students K-12 can ride public transportation across SLO County for free this summer. No pass is required for students to use public transportation. Runabout, SLO Trolley, Morro Bay Trolley, and Dial-A-Ride services are excluded. 

For more information, click here. 

California Clean Air Day Applications 

The California Clean Air Day Application is open to community members looking to host a local event or activity in support of California Clean Air Day on October 7, 2026. Uses of the grant can include supplies, marketing expenses, and city permit costs. 

For more details and the full application, please click here. 

Santa Barbara Scavenger Hunt 

Santa Barbara is celebrating the outdoors by holding a summer-long scavenger hunt across the county. Register your team before August 29th to complete missions and earn points for prizes. 

Learn how to register and the rules of the hunt by clicking here.