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SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) released the following statement after Governor Newsom recently proposed in his 2020-2021 May Revision to close the California Veterans Home in Barstow as part of the solution for the state’s $54 billion budget shortfall. The proposed closure would have displaced nearly 200 veterans and force them to relocate to other communities.
“I am grateful that the Senate subcommittee heard the pleas from our community and rejected the Governor’s proposal to shut down the Barstow Veterans Home. Our veterans have sacrificed for our country and they deserve the respect and support of the government they fought to defend. Instead of spending $13 million on new positions for the high-speed rail fail, the Governor should prioritize our most beloved community heroes,” said Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove.
BACKGROUND:
On Thursday, May 21, members of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government rejected Governor Newsom’s proposal to close the Barstow Veterans Home as part of the 2020-2021 budget. The Senate budget subcommittee directed staff to propose additional, thoughtful plans prior to any closure on veterans homes. Prior to the meeting, Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove lobbied against the proposal to members of the subcommittee.