SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo | California Budget Amendments

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

March 4

1940 - NYC premiere of "The Marines Fly High" starring Lucille Ball, filmed in Placerita Canyon [story]

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo | California Budget Amendments

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo | Friday, Jun 30, 2023

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

The California State Legislature has approved and sent to Governor Gavin Newsom amendments to the 2023 Budget Act to implement a three-party budget agreement between the governor and the two houses of the Legislature.

Given the size of our shortfall this year (nearly $32 billion), I am pleased that we were able to finalize this budget without having to dip into reserves or raise taxes, while maintaining priorities like affordable housing and addressing the ongoing homeless crisis.

I am especially proud that the budget will include $82.5 million to implement the intent of our bill, AB 1208, to cover out of pocket costs for Covered California enrollees stuck paying for healthcare they can’t afford to use. Making healthcare accessible and affordable for all families is crucial in our effort to make sure people don’t go bankrupt paying doctor bills, and this bill goes a long way to ensuring that’s a reality. Some of the other amendment highlights include:

Housing and Homelessness

Revises the allocation of funds to move the disbursement of $100 million up to 2023-24 and $260 million up to 2024-25 to support local homelessness reduction efforts.

Healthcare

In addition to the $82.5 million for AB 1208 (mentioned above), reimbursement rates for MediCal providers are raised to ensure our low income and rural communities have access to the healthcare they need and providers are supported for providing that healthcare.

Education

The amendments include historic investments in education, with an 8% increase in TK-12th grades and community college funding, as well as a 5% increase in funding for the University of California and California State University systems.

Child Care

There is now a total of $1.4 billion to supplement reimbursement rates for all subsidized child care providers, which will increase support for childcare providers and make childcare more affordable for families who need it.

Energy

Appropriates $550 million Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for the Zero Emission Vehicle Package.

California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 to represent the 40th Assembly District, representing the Northwest San Fernando Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley. Upon her election, she was appointed as Assistant Majority Whip by the Speaker of the Assembly.

Comment On This Story

COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Click here to cancel reply.

Opinion Section Policy

All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.

Ken Striplin | Two New Events Celebrating Spring

Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026

Innovation guides how Santa Clarita brings the community together through its events and programming. Each year, the city introduces new ways to engage residents and highlight what makes Santa Clarita unique.

Ken Striplin | One Story One City: An Invitation to Read, Listen, Connect

Monday, Mar 2, 2026

In Santa Clarita, building a strong sense of community is a priority we carry through everything we do, from shared experiences that bring residents together to programs and opportunities that encourage us to learn, participate and connect with one another.

Patsy Ayala | A Western Love Story at the Cowboy Festival

Thursday, Feb 26, 2026

Love has a way of transforming a moment into a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Ken Striplin | From Alpacas to Bison: Hart Park Takes Center Stage on ‘Santa Clarita Voices’

Monday, Feb 23, 2026

One of the most rewarding parts of my role as City Manager is connecting with our community and sharing the stories behind the people, projects and services that make Santa Clarita such a great place to live, work and play.

Laurene Weste | Celebrate 30 Years of Western Tradition at Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival

Thursday, Feb 19, 2026

As you step into William S. Hart Park, the sights and sounds of the Old West come alive. The rhythm of boots shuffling across the dance floor, the unmistakable aroma of Dutch oven peach cobbler drifting through the mesquite-scented air and the ringing of a blacksmith’s hammer all echo a time when Santa Clarita’s hills and valleys were shaped by cowboys living the frontier life.

Ken Striplin | Making Every Drop Count with the Rain Barrel Purchase Program

Monday, Feb 16, 2026

After years of watching the skies and tracking reservoir levels, Californians are finally seeing a welcome change: the state is no longer in a drought.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com

California Department of Education Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Redesign the High School Experience in California The California Department of Education announced today that it is engaging in conversations alongside its partners to redesign the high school experience.	LASD Seeks Public Help in Locating Missing Man, Lamonte Alan Oliney The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit is asking for the public’s help locating At-Risk Missing Person, Lamonte Alan Oliney.	March 9: CSUN Amado Lecture to Discuss Meaningful Jewish-Catholic Relationships Rachel Kranson, director of Jewish studies and associate professor of religious studies at the University of Pittsburgh, will discuss the relationships between Jewish and Catholic communities for California State University, Northridge’s 13th Annual Maurice Amado Foundation Lecture in Jewish Ethics.	“Canyon Country History Captured” Exhibition at the Canyon Country Community Center The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to present "Canyon Country History Captured" by the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, on display now through April 29, 2026, at the Canyon Country Community Center.	Registration Open for Short-Term Classes at College of the Canyons Registration remains open for more than 340 short-term classes still available during the College of the Canyons spring 2026 semester.	March 10: Registration Opens for City Spring Recreation Programs The city of Santa Clarita will open Spring Recreation Registration on Tuesday, March 10, at 10 a.m., offering a wide variety of seasonal classes and programs, including Camp Clarita, Summer Youth Basketball and Primetime Preschool enrollment.
Update: Barricaded Suspect Safely Taken Into Custody in Saugus The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau personnel are responding to assist the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station with a barricaded male, adult armed suspect.	Kaiser Permanente Awards $10,000 Grant to Boys & Girls Club of SCV Kaiser Permanente recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley with a check presentation at the organization’s Newhall clubhouse, highlighting a continued investment in youth education and enrichment in the SCV. highlighting a continued investment in youth education and enrichment in the SCV.	Today in SCV History (March 4) <strong>1940</strong> - NYC premiere of "The Marines Fly High" starring Lucille Ball, filmed in Placerita Canyon [<a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/lw2676.htm" target="_blank">story</a>] <a href="https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/lw2676.htm" target="_blank"> <img src="https://scvhistory.com/gif/lw2676t.jpg" alt="Marines Fly High" style="margin-top:6px;width:110px;border:0;"> </a>	Volunteers Needed for Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival The 30th Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is back in town and the city of Santa Clarita is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help make it a success by assisting with different activities during the event.	March 5: Santa Clarita Parks Commission Meets for Overview of 2026 Events The Santa Clarita Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 to receive an overview on 2026 events planned by the city of Santa Clarita.	The Master’s Wins GSAC Basketball Championship The Master's University men's basketball team pulled off the most improbable win of the season, coming back from a 17-point deficit in the second half to win the GSAC Men's Basketball Championship 77-74 in The MacArthur Center on Monday, March 2.
Santa Clarita Ranks Sixth Nationally in Most Credit Cards Per Person WalletHub, a free personal finance app, reports the residents of Santa Clarita possess the sixth most credit cards per person in the United States.	Canyons Wins Women’s Meet, Sees High Marks from Men’s Squad at Cuyamaca Invite The College of the Canyons track and field teams combined for nearly 40 personal best times and marks during the annual Cuyamaca College Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 28 with the women's squad claiming its first team victory of the season.	March 28: Vine2Wine ‘A Mediterranean Toga Affair’ for Circle of Hope Circle of Hope’s most anticipated night of the year returns on Saturday, March 28, as Vine2Wine once again brings the community together for an evening of wine, cuisine and compassion.	Cougars’ Swim & Dive Teams Compete at Mt. SAC Invitational College of the Canyons swimming and diving competed at the two-day Mt. San Antonio College Invitational Feb. 27-28, with the Cougars turning in a number of strong individual performances.	Ken Striplin \| Two New Events Celebrating Spring Innovation guides how Santa Clarita brings the community together through its events and programming. Each year, the city introduces new ways to engage residents and highlight what makes Santa Clarita unique.	March 11: Free Business Webinar, ‘Tax Essentials for Entrepreneurs,’ Part 1 The Small Business Development Center hosted by College of the Canyons will offer a free webinar, "Tax Essentials for Entrepreneurs: A 2-Part Workshop Series." Part 1, "Business Structure – Choosing Smart from the Start," will be presented on Wednesday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
March 17: Family Promise of SCV Fundraising Dodgers Opening Weekend Raffle Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley is holding a Dodgers Opening Weekend Raffle fundraiser with a live drawing scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.	CSUN Formally Opens Valera NEST, CSU Student Resource Center University and government officials formally cut the ribbon today for California State University, Northridge’s Valera NEST, a first-of-its-kind resource center in the CSU system that provides basic needs services such as food, clothing and wellness to students in a centralized location on campus.	California Credit Union Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Summer Internship Program California Credit Union is now accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Internship Program, offering paid professional experience for Santa Clarita Valley college students.	March 3: Summer Operating Hours for Placerita Canyon Natural Area, Nature Center Starting Tuesday, March 3, Placerita Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center will have updated summer operating hours.	March 19: VIA Cocktails & Conservation with Councilwoman Marsha McLean The Valley Industry Association will host "VIA Cocktails & Conversation: An Evening with Santa Clarita City Councilwoman Marsha McLean" on Thursday, March 19, 5:30-7 p.m.	SCV Water Board Approves Establishing Penalties for Water Theft From Fire Hydrants At its Feb. 17, regular meeting, the Santa Clarita Valley Water Board of Directors approved an ordinance establishing penalties relating to water theft from fire hydrants as well as corresponding revisions to its Customer Service Policy.