Addis Secures $1.3 Million for City of Morro Bay Infrastructure and Emergency System Upgrades

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), Chair of the Assembly Budget Sub 1 Committee on Health, announced $1.3 million in state funding for critical infrastructure and emergency communication upgrades for the City of Morro Bay through California's final budget deal for the 2026-2027 legislative session.

"Effective public safety requires strong communication tools and infrastructure," said Addis. "For too long, critical communication gaps have left parts of Morro Bay without reliable coverage. This $1.3 million budget win will strengthen emergency response across the city and will keep residents and first responders safe."

The funding will support upgrades to the City of Morro Bay's emergency response communications system, improving coverage for police, fire, harbor operations, and public works.

"Our officers have been working with dead zones in north Morro Bay and along South Bay Boulevard for far too long," said Amy Watkins, Chief of Police, Morro Bay Police Department. "When you can't reach dispatch or your fellow officers in the field, that's not a technical inconvenience - it's a safety risk, for us and for the people we're responding to help. Thanks to Assemblymember Addis allocating this funding in the state budget, our officers will finally have reliable, encrypted radio coverage across the entire city."

"I'm grateful to have worked with Chief Watkins to encourage Assemblymember Addis and her team to assist us in securing funding for this existing critical piece of infrastructure," said Cyndee Edwards, Councilmember, City of Morro Bay. "Thank you for ensuring Morro Bay has the highest level of communication and public safety into the future!"

Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties. She is the Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health.

CONTACT: Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, (831) 649-2832