SACRAMENTO – Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), a member of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, announced her strong support for a committee bill, SB 81, which would restore $248 million to the Home-to-School Transportation Fund, upon which children in rural areas, children of color and low income children were disproportionately denied in the 2011 state budget.

“Children can’t learn if they can’t get to school,” said Evans whose district largely consists of rural school districts dependent on the funds to get kids to school. “I am pleased that both houses are working in tandem to provide all children equal access to a quality education.”

School districts throughout the state have been in a panic since the 2011 budget trigger cuts were implemented.

Schools that rely on home to school transportation programs to get kids into the classroom each day, in order to receive their ADA funds, were hit twice by the cut and have been preparing for “Armageddon” if the funds are not restored.

SB 81 was introduced by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, of which Evans is a member. The bill would shift funds to restore a small level of funding for home-to-school transportation.

State Senator Noreen Evans represents the Second Senatorial District, including all or portions of the Counties of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma. Senator Evans Chairs the Legislative Women’s Caucus and the Committee on Judiciary.