(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, Majority Whip of the California State Assembly, delivered emotional remarks about the impact that contamination has had on his family during the debate on the Assembly floor about legislation to expedite funding for the cleanup of toxic contamination from the Exide Technologies battery recycling plant. Assembly Bill 118 and Senate Bill 93 expedite $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. “For far too long, our communities’ concerns regarding Exide have been neglected,” said Assemblymember Santiago (D-Los Angeles). “This additional funding for testing and cleanup of heavy metal contamination is a significant step toward fully resolving this appalling situation.” Here’s more in this Assembly Access video.