SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Friedman (D-Glendale) played a key role in three major statewide budget allocations - $150 million to help live event venues and businesses, including nonprofits and theatres; $50 million in grants for museums; and $500 million for active transportation. These funds will provide much-needed economic stimulus for industries significantly impacted by the pandemic while making forward-thinking investments that will improve the lives of all Californians.
“We should all be proud of what California has been able to achieve, despite the unprecedented challenges of this year,” said Assemblymember Friedman. “Thanks to years of responsible budgeting, smart investments, and our work alongside Governor Newsom in responding to the pandemic, we’re in as good a position as we can be. With this fiscal windfall, we’re making serious commitments to the people of California by investing in the programs and infrastructure that’ll not only help us build our state back, but to have it come out of this crisis better and more equitable than ever before.”
Representing a district where entertainment and live venues are a critical part of the local economy, Friedman has been vocal throughout the pandemic on the economic and cultural significance of our arts, culture, and creative industries sector for our state, which represents over 8% of our Gross State Product and employs over 750,000 workers. Friedman spearheaded a recent effort, alongside Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), and Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-North Hollywood), urging their colleagues on the budget committees to fund the arts & culture sector. This year’s budget includes $50 million in grants to help fund museums statewide and $150 million that will go towards businesses and nonprofits in this critical sector, such as independent venues and theatres.
“Independent venues and promoters throughout California are incredibly grateful to Assemblymember Laura Friedman for being our champion on this effort,” said Casey Lowdermilk, co-founder of the California Chapter of the National Independent Venue Association. "Independent venues and promoters are small businesses, cultural beacons, community centers and anchor tenants in communities throughout California. As the first to close and the last to reopen due to the pandemic, this working capital will help us rehire our staff and reopen as economic drivers for the state."
As the Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee and a staunch advocate for sustainability, Friedman worked with her colleagues to ensure a record half-billion-dollar investment into active transportation projects throughout the state was included in this year’s budget. This includes a total of $20 million to fund key projects in the 43rd Assembly District.
These expenditures were part of Senate Bill 129, which was passed by the Legislature in June and signed into law by Governor Newsom on July 12, 2021.
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Laura Friedman represents the 43rd Assembly District which encompasses the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and La Cañada Flintridge, as well as the communities of La Crescenta and Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, Beachwood Canyon, Los Feliz, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, and Silver Lake.