Governor Newsom’s State of the State Address affects Imperial County
13 on your side's Vanessa Gongora spoke with Assemblymember, Eduardo Garcia on how California and Imperial County can move forward.
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Lots of issues impacting the state including higher gas prices burning a hole in our wallets, but lithium could be a bright spot for the valley and bring an economic win to our area.
Gov. Newsom's fourth State of the State Address brought with it many ideas and some solutions.
With regard to Imperial County, the area is breaking ground on a project to improve water and air quality in just a few months, something Newsom said is important for all residents across Calif.
Newsom also spoke about clean energy.
"This is not just National Security and environmental justice impair. Clean energy is this generation's greatest economic opportunity," Newsom said.
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia says investments in lithium are also being made in the next budget, a big win for Imperial County.
"The opportunities to increase real energy production via geothermal and the by-product of that which is lithium recovery to be able to address the global demand that exists when it comes electric vehicles, battery storage," Garcia said.
The county is grateful for the Lithium Valley Commission established by state law.
Now it's a matter of seeing how this industry will impact our area.
Another point that stood out to Assemblymember Garcia is the investments toward mental health services for the homeless.
"Those with schizophrenia spectrum and psychosis disorders, many self-medicating with drug or alcohol addictions and that's precisely what our encampment resolution grants and our new care court seek to address," Newsom said.
But one El Centro resident, Hector Mora, disagrees. He says this assistance won't help the homeless if they choose to not accept it.
"I think they need to focus more on helping the average person get better. Like me, I'm just average, work my butt off and I can barely cover my expenses," Mora said.
Another big issue Gov. Newsom touched on is the all-time high gas prices.
He will be submitting a proposal to put money back in the pockets of Californians to address rising gas prices.
The State of the State also acknowledged the progress we have made protecting our communities from COVID-19.
Newsom said our choices saved lives.
Gov. Newsom wrapped up his speech saying he knows the government cannot be the entire solution but the government has always been part of the solution by creating a platform for people to thrive.
