• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a state budget measure containing $8 million for seven California public agencies, according to Rojas Public Affairs.
  • Rojas Public Affairs helped advocate for the funding that will go towards fire equipment, emergency preparedness, training facilities and storm recovery.
  • Rojas Public Affairs (RPA) client list includes 20th Century Fox Studios, Clear Channel Airports and California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

A statewide decision with local reach

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature on Assembly Bill 113 will bring $8 million to seven California public agencies for public safety and community infrastructure, according to Rojas Public Affairs. The firm says the appropriations were included in the 2026 state budget. The investments connect state spending decisions with local priorities, from replacing firefighting equipment to restoring storm-damaged facilities.

Image: Gov. Gavin Newsom, Office of the Governor of California, Public domain

Five awards

The package includes $2.7 million for storm repairs in Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District and $2 million for emergency operations infrastructure at Noble Creek Regional Park. Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Protection District will receive $1 million for a fire engine. Hesperia Recreation and Park District will receive $885,000 for storm repairs, while Chino Valley Independent Fire District will receive $500,000 to modernize its firefighter training center.

Image: Chino Valley Fire District Station Groundbreaking

Emergency readiness

Newsom’s budget signature also advances two additional projects described in RPA’s announcement. Williams Fire Protection Authority will receive $500,000 to complete a regional training facility serving Northern California firefighters and law enforcement personnel. Bishop will receive $500,000 for public safety electrical infrastructure, including emergency power and a secure server room, to strengthen systems that support essential operations.

Image: Gov. Gavin Newsom, Office of the Governor of California, Public domain

Legislative work preceded approval

The governor’s signature followed project development, legislative outreach and coordination, according to RPA. Assembly members David Alvarez, Greg Wallis and Tom Lackey, state Sen. Kelly Seyarto and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry supported individual requests. RPA President Jaime Rojas Jr. credited legislators and their staffs, saying the investments would help communities replace equipment, prepare first responders and restore facilities.

Image: Rojas Public Affairs President Jaime Rojas Jr.

The firm behind the advocacy

Rojas Public Affairs represents cities, special districts, public agencies and community organizations on funding, legislation and public policy. Jamie Rojas Jr. profile describes more than 20 years of government and lobbying experience. Rojas taught at USC’s Sol Price School of Public Administration. He also wrote two books on the U.S. Constitution & Latino Republicans in 2011 & 2016.

Image: Rojas Public Affairs

The bigger question

As Rojas Public Affairs helps organizations build relationships with elected officials, governments and other decision-makers, how can residents assess whether those connections broaden representation or give paying clients disproportionate influence over what politicians fund, postpone or decline to pursue?

If your program cannot afford a public affairs firm or does not have access to a team with established connections to lawmakers and government agencies, does it have a fair chance of securing state funding or do communities that can pay for that access have an advantage?

The facts

Rojas Public Affairs client list includes:

  • 20th Century Fox Studios
  • Clear Channel Airports
  • California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
  • Los Angeles Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Cornelio Consulting & former COO of Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • City of Newport Beach & President of CA Municipal Revenue & Tax Association

Additional resources

Organizations should contact their city or county’s community development office about eligibility, local funding availability, and application procedures.

HeadlinesNational