SAN DIEGO (June 8, 2015) – Councilmember Alvarez has issued the following statement in response to the San Diego City Council’s unanimous approval today of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget, highlighting the following items which were also included in his Budget Priority Memo:

• San Ysidro Library:
“In the May budget revision, the Mayor recognized the San Ysidro Library and I thank him for focusing on a critical area of need in San Ysidro.  I’ll be excited to close the gap to reach full funding and in the meantime I appreciate increased services at the existing children's library. This support will allow our community asset to really serve the people of San Diego.”

• Code Enforcement:
“The additional code enforcement officers and a city attorney focused on substandard housing are critical to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. With our actions we have recognized the voiceless and put slumlords on notice that their days of putting profit before livable housing conditions are at an end.”

• Penny for the Arts:
“I am so thankful to the dozens of arts patrons and arts providers who made their case for the City to keep its promise, get back to our blueprint, and fund Penny for the Arts at a significant level.  Adding $1 million to arts is a significant commitment, and I thank my colleagues for joining me in standing up for arts in our community.”

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