I want to wish you and yours a happy Labor Day. As we take a day off work to spend with family, friends and loved ones, we must remember that today we also honor working people, especially those essential workers who have to go to work today and on other holidays. We also recognize that many who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic still have not been able to rejoin the workforce.

As Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, I am proud that the budget that we passed earlier this year includes funding for job training and workforce development programs, such as:

• $6 billion over three years to improve broadband infrastructure in underserved areas, opening doors for searching for a job online or working remotely.
• $1 billion for training, education and skill-building opportunities in critical sectors such as healthcare and construction.
• $300 million annually to build a public health system to address the next pandemic before it starts, and that includes developing the next generation of public health policymakers and practitioners.
• $50 million available over the next six years to support residency opportunities for more primary care practitioners.
• An additional $42 million for the Strong Workforce Program in our community college system, to train people for the jobs of tomorrow.
• $8 million over the next six years to support workforce development for older workers.
• Incorporating feedback from disability rights advocates, funding is included for training direct service providers to work with disabled clients.
• Creating the California Non-Profit Performing Arts Grant Program to encourage workforce development for arts workers who were affected by venue closures and other restrictions on the arts during the pandemic.

Thanks to greater-than-projected revenue, we were able to make more investments in California and its people this year than ever before. As we continue to come out of the pandemic, we are doing our part to make sure that the doors of opportunity are open for all our state's residents.

If you are in need of employment, please see the list of resources sent previously on Monday, August 30.