Press Releases
SALINAS, CA – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) has announced the introduction of the Save Our Forests Act to address chronic staffing shortages in National Forests, including the Central Coast's Los Padres National Forest, to improve risk mitigation and response to wildfires. The legislation directs the Chief of the Forest Service to fill vacancies in National Forests for recreation and management planning staff, authorizes funding to fill positions, and prioritizes filling vacancies in National Forests facing a high risk of wildfires.
"I am absolutely honored, humbled by, and so appreciative to have the vote and confidence of the people of California's 20th Congressional District in the 2020 general election. They have given me the privilege and huge responsibility that I am proud to have worked for to continue my service to our home on the Central Coast and fight for our values in Washington, D.C."
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced a $318,300 federal grant for the California Certified Organic Farmer (CCOF) Foundation in Santa Cruz. The CCOF Foundation will use the U.S. Department of Agriculture-awarded grant to lead a multi-state initiative to support organic food processors through food safety compliance training and education.
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the distribution of a Department of Transportation (DOT) loan of up to $8.45 million to the Monterey-Salinas Transit District (MST). The loan will help finance the construction of a new South County Operations and Maintenance Facility in King City, California. The facility will provide MST with a base from which it will operate its South County services.
SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the distribution of a $52.94 million grant to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). MBARI will receive the funds through the National Science Foundation, which will be used to create a fleet of robotic ocean-monitoring floats to monitor ocean health around the globe.
SALINAS, CA – FEMA has approved a 30-day extension of its non-congregate shelter program for CZU Lightning Complex Fire survivors in Santa Cruz County.
SALINAS, CA – Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), Anthony G.
SALINAS, CA - Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced that a $700,000 federal grant will be allocated to Santa Cruz County to help increase access to affordable housing opportunities. The county will receive a grant from HOME Investment Partnership Program, which is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed to increase affordable housing opportunities.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the distribution of over $200,000 in federal government grants for sea otter conservation programs at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Aquarium was awarded a $100,000 grant for its southern sea otter surrogacy program in addition to a $100,000 grant to improve its work to rescue stranded southern sea otters.