Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia Announces Eastern Coachella Valley Budget Victory

SACRAMENTO – Some $30 million for the safe relocation of Oasis Mobile Home Park residents and $7 million to support a critical Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) water infrastructure project along Avenue 66 in Mecca are recipients of the Eastern Coachella Valley budget win.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 12 signed SB 129 offering amendments to the California budget framework and providing final approval on Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia’s (D-Coachella) slate of Eastern Coachella Valley budget priorities.

“It is official! We have secured $30 million from the State of California to safely relocate residents of Oasis Mobile Home Park. This a complete triumph for our Eastern Coachella Valley community and especially the residents of the park who have continued to pursue justice for their families and advocate for the resources we need to address this urgent public health and housing crisis. Our voices matter and have proven powerful,” Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia said in a prepared statement.

“Importantly, we will be receiving $7 million to help Coachella Valley Water District jump-start a water infrastructure project along Avenue 66 in Mecca that will be instrumental to the development of quality affordable housing in the Eastern Coachella Valley. We need to have connectivity to safe water infrastructure in place in order to address deep-set, rural disparities and achieve long-term, sustainable solutions for residents.”

Garcia went on to say, “These significant state budget investments are a testament to our active regional collaboration and coordination, and we are grateful to all partners involved. We requested these funds to provide immediate protection to vulnerable families and work in alignment with strategic efforts to uplift our region.”

While these project funds have been solidified, the budget process and negotiations on several budget elements are still underway. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia continues to advocate for equitable representation of the 56th Assembly District and to bring home funding for other local priorities such as regional affordable housing efforts, the New River, and the Salton Sea.