Sacramento, CA…Governor Gavin Newsom signed emergency legislation today providing up to $1 billion in funding to help California fight COVID-19. “It’s simply remarkable. In just one day’s time, members of the California Legislature came together across party lines to unanimously pass emergency legislation authorizing over $1 billion to fight COVID-19. This money will provide more hospital beds and medical equipment to help hospitals deal with the coming surge and it will help protect those who are most at risk. I am grateful to the Legislature for their quick action,” said Governor Newsom.

The emergency legislative package provides $500 million General Fund to help California fight COVID-19 and authorizes increases up to $1 billion. The funding will:

Increase hospital bed capacity and purchase medical equipment to combat the coming surge in COVID-19 patients;
Protect hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities most vulnerable to COVID-19 spread;
Provide lifesaving services to Californians isolating at home;
Support local government to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in homeless populations and provide safe beds for people experiencing homelessness; and
Provide funding to clean child care facilities that remain open.
The package also provides $100 million Proposition 98 General Fund for personal protective equipment and cleaning for schools that remain open. It also allows schools to maintain funding despite service disruptions.

The Governor signed the following bills today:

SB 89 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Budget Act of 2019.
SB 117 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Education finance: average daily attendance and timeline waivers: protective equipment and cleaning appropriation: COVID-19.

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