State Senator Mike McGuire Addresses MEF Board
On Friday June 21, 2019 State Senator Mike McGuire (D-District 2) addressed the MEF Board of Directors meeting held at BioMarin, San Rafael, to provide an update on several key issues for the California and Marin economy. California’s significant role in the world economy (ranked 5th) is well known but most residents may not understand how that relates to funding for public goods and services.
Senator McGuire shared that personal and corporate income tax revenues have increased by $1.9 billion and $1.7 billion respectively while sales tax revenue has decreased by $350 million. With the increased income the State has made a commitment to boosting rainy day funds while targeting spending in other key areas such as education and homelessness among others.
Marin County will benefit from some of the spending increases. Approximately $6 million in new funding for homelessness, including $1.8 million for chronic homelessness, is going to be available, largely through the Homeward Bound program. Among transportation funding for the region, funds that would support work on Highway 37 look to be on pace to be received after long delays.
The Senator spent significant time discussing the housing issue and specifically SB50, the housing bill introduced by Senator Weiner (D-San Francisco) that included some compromise legislation of Senator McGuire’s proposed SB4 bill. Readers will note that SB50 passed the Senate but did not get a hearing in committee in the Assembly and will be delayed until a further date. Senator McGuire suggested several issues that a future iteration of SB50 might need to include, including stronger provisions for affordable housing and eliminating the provision that high density housing could be built along bus lines; an issue that was of concern to Marin residents. Senator McGuire also reiterated his stance that a “one-size fits all” approach to housing in California is not going to work for the North Bay.
MEF is thankful that Senator McGuire took the time to address the Board and for the work he is leading at the State level to ensure the Marin economy remains robust while residents can benefit from the prosperity of California. To learn more about the Senator’s work please visit his website at: www.sd02.senate.ca.gov.
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