Assemblymember Mike Fong and Assemblymember Miguel Santiago Urge Adoption of Increased Funds for Financial Aid in the 2022-23 State Budget

On June 13, with rising inflation and drop in college enrollment, Assemblymember Mike Fong joined Assemblymember Miguel Santiago and community leaders at East Los Angeles College this morning to call on the State Legislature and the Governor to adopt the Legislature’s “Debt-Free” College Plan in the 2022-23 State Budget.

“Going to college is more than just paying tuition. Many of our students struggle with basic needs, including food and housing. I’m proud to join Assemblymember Santiago to advocate for increased funds in the state budget so that students can focus on their education, not how to pay for tuition, food, and housing,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong.

The Plan includes Cal Grant reform that would provide financial aid to 150,000 new students, investments in the Middle Class Scholarship, and expanding free community college under the Community College Promise Program to all full time students, as proposed in Assembly Bill 2266, of which Assemblymember Mike Fong is a co-author. Currently, free community college is only offered to first time students.

The State Budget must be passed by the State Legislature by June 15^th and signed by the Governor by July 1^st.

Assemblymember Mike Fong Secures $29.4 Million for Assembly District 49

In his first year in the State Legislature, Assemblymember Fong delivers for

the San Gabriel Valley

On July 1, Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) announced that he secured $29.4 Million from the state budget for crucial investments in local parks, libraries, museums, programs for low-income at-risk youth and families, and construction of a state of the art community center.

“I am honored to bring nearly $30 million dollars to Assembly District 49 during my first year in office,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong. “I would like to express my gratitude to leaders I worked alongside within the district and in Sacramento to make these important investments a reality.”

Funds secured in the budget include:

• $25 million for the construction of a state of the art Community Center that will include classrooms, fitness areas, multipurpose rooms, community meeting space, and exterior recreation areas. It will be the first Community Center in the City of Alhambra.
• $1.5 million to the Asian Youth Center, a community-based non-profit organization based in San Gabriel whose mission is to empower low-income, immigrant, and at-risk youth through culturally and linguistically competent education, employment, and social services.
• $1.7 million to the City of Alhambra for construction of a pocket park and various upgrades to existing parks, such as WiFi access, EV charging stations, and book hold lockers.
• $1 million to the Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College for construction of a conservation lab, digitization lab, workspace and ventilated storage, and expanding museum programs.
• $200,000 for restoration of the historic La Laguna de San Gabriel Historic Playground located at Vincent Lugo Park in San Gabriel.

Governor Newsom signed the 2022-2023 budget today, completing the final step of the state budget process.  The 2022-23 fiscal year begins July 1^st.

Assemblymember Mike Fong was elected to the 49th District of the California State Assembly in February 2022, representing Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, Temple City, San Marino, San Gabriel, and parts of Montebello and South El Monte.