(Sacramento, CA) Majority Whip of the California State Assembly, Miguel Santiago commends action to expedite $176.6 million for Exide-related testing and cleanup.
“For far too long, our communities’ concerns regarding Exide have been neglected. This additional funding for testing and cleanup of heavy metal contamination is a significant step toward fully resolving this appalling situation” said Miguel Santiago, Majority Whip of the California State Assembly. "I applaud the action by Assembly Budget Subcommittee #3 and its Chairman, Assemblymember Richard Bloom, earlier today; passage of this package is important to effectively and quickly move this funding forward.”
The twin measures moving the Exide Clean-Up Package forward are Senate Bill 93, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Bill 118, authored by Assemblymember Santiago – both of whom represent the communities most impacted by exposure to the toxic emissions from the Exide Technologies facility in Vernon, CA.
The Exide Clean-Up Package specifically expedites $176.6 million in funding for the purposes of testing, clean-up, and job-training in the community. Additionally, AB 118 provides added accountability to both the community and the Legislature in the use of these funds by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Throughout his short tenure in the State Assembly, Mr. Santiago has worked with all affected agencies and neighborhoods to spearhead the creation of a comprehensive stakeholder working group. The group has met regularly in the past year and has examined a number of topics including, but not limited to, the status of cleanup, ongoing monitoring of contamination, and assessments of community health. Earlier this year, Assemblymember Santiago also issued a request to Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey to investigate any criminal conduct on the part of Exide in this matter.
“I look forward to continuing to work with my Los Angeles-area colleagues and Governor Jerry Brown in the coming months to address any outstanding issues that may arise and efforts we may be able to take to further expedite and streamline this process for the residents of Boyle Heights, Huntington Park, and Vernon.”
See the text of Assembly Bill 118 here.
Assemblymember Miguel Santiago is the Majority Whip of the California State Assembly and sits on the Assembly’s Health Committee. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.