Big News for California

Photo By Dio Hasbi Saniskoro

As most of you know, we are a San Diego-based organization, and being California residents we are very excited about last month's big news. If you are new to the story, Governor Newsom kicked off a massive statewide cleanup and jobs plan on July 7th. With funds at $1.1 billion, the plan intends to create up to 11,000 jobs by clearing away graffiti and litter from roads, highways, etc. Over 400 people have already been hired as a result of this plan, priority given to formerly homeless, formerly incarcerated, and at-risk youth.

This new beautification program goes hand in hand with Caltrans, California's transportation agency. Caltrans has not been able to keep up with the amount of work that needs to be done with so few people. Despite this, they have "collected 270,000 cubic yards of trash in 2020 — enough to load 18,000 garbage trucks." (LA Times). With these new jobs, California will get cleaner even quicker.

In addition to beautifying places such as highways, these funds also go toward addressing homeless encampments (without displacing those in need with said funds) and adding art (such as murals) to public spaces.