Source: NBC Bay Area / Bay City News
State officials approved more than $41 million this week for monkeypox testing and treatment after state legislators representing San Francisco urged for its inclusion in the state budget.
Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, first called for dedicated state funding for the MPX outbreak in July, when the virus was first taking root in the city.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 179, an amendment to the state's budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year including $41.5 million for the state's emergency response to the MPX outbreak.
"Because of the slow federal response this summer, state and local efforts have been key to addressing the MPX virus," said Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, the chair of the Assembly's Budget Committee. "This funding not only keeps resources flowing, but it also builds them up."