The KHTS Sacramento Road Trip came to an end Tuesday after Santa Clarita community members, business leaders and city officials made the 350-mile journey to the state capitol to address a variety of issues including education, transportation, mental health and marijuana regulation.

The second day began with a meeting on transportation led by California Transportation Commission Executive Director Will Kempton.

Kempton spoke about the current condition of California roads and the underfunding in transportation that has endured for the past twenty years.

Since gasoline is a major source of funding for transportation, Kempton told the audience that funding for transportation has declined dramatically with the increase of more fuel efficient cars.

A new revenue stream for transportation is currently being tested with 4,300 volunteers. Instead of funding coming from gasoline, the system would generate funds from the amount of miles driven by any individual.

Higher education was also on the agenda Tuesday with Assemblywoman Kristen Olsen serving as the keynote speaker.

Olsen said that education in California must become more innovative and tech driven, adding that there was a need for new ways of instruction and an investment in professional development.

Following Olsen’s higher education talk, Senator Jim Beall of California’s 15th Senate District spoke about the social and economic impacts of mental health illness.

Beall said that of the 175,000 prisoners currently in the California prison system, 50,000 have mental health illnesses.

He added that of the 120,000 children in foster care, 75 percent have parents with mental health issues.

“The mental health illnesses of the parents often lead to physical, mental and sexual abuse of children,” Beall said. “We need to have a higher level of care than what we are providing in California.”

H.D. Palmer of the California Department of Finance concluded Tuesday’s morning session with a budget talk.

Palmer said that balanced budgets and surpluses have typically been followed by deep recessions and debt, warning that “history tends to repeat itself.”

Palmer said that California’s largest expidenture is K-12 education which costs the state 51.2 billion dollars a

After a short lunch break, meetings in the capitol building focused on the impact of climate change on business, workers compensation and the legalization of recreational marijuana.

In an unexpected appearance, Assemblyman Tom Lackey told the audience that he endorses the use of marijuana for medical purposes, a position he did not support previously.

A final talk on climate change from Assemblyman Richard Bloom was canceled due to Bloom being detained in a meeting.

Vanessa Wilk, wife of Assemblyman Scott Wilk, became emotional since this could potentially  be her husband’s last sponsorship of the trip.

Wilks voice cracked as she thanked those who participated in the KHTS Sacramento Road Trip saying, “It’s been an honor to serve the Santa Clarita community. We love you guys so much.”

Scott Wilk will seek Senator Sharon Runner’s seat in California’s 21st District after Runner decided to vacate her post due to health issues.