The first year of our 2023-24 legislative session concluded on Sept. 14, when both houses had to get hundreds of bills heard and over the finish line. That challenge was intensified by the tough economic forecast, destructive storms and a persistent homelessness crisis, but despite those difficulties, my Senate colleagues and I were determined to protect the progress we have made by championing new approaches to mental health, homelessness, infrastructure, housing, and climate.
This legislative session also marked my final one in the role of Senate President pro Tempore. While my work for constituents in Senate District 39 will continue through the end of 2024, as you may have read recently, Senator Mike McGuire has been named Pro Tem Designee, with a transition to be announced after the start of the year. It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Senate Leader – and the first women and openly LGBTQ Senate Pro Tem at that!
Four of my bills were passed by the legislature, two have already been signed into law:
The BRIDGE Project – SB 447
Senate Bill 447 was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sept. 13 and is in effect! This bill lifted California’s travel ban to states with discriminatory LGBTQ+ legislation and created in its place a fund to create non-partisan, inclusive messaging, discourage discrimination, and help members of the LGBTQ+ community feel less isolated. Called the BRIDGE Project – Building and Reinforcing Inclusive, Diverse, Gender-Supportive miquality – the legislation will help California champion compassion and outreach to people throughout the country, and further position our states as a national leader on inclusivity and a beacon of hope for those who have been isolated by state-sponsored discrimination elsewhere.
Abortion Rights – SB 385 & SB 487
Senate Bill 385, which was signed by Gov. Newsom on Sept. 8, better aligns abortion training to physician assistants’ scope of practice and clears pathways for physician assistants to meet requirements to perform aspiration abortions. The bill further allows physician assistants to perform aspiration abortions without the direct supervision of a physician. The bill intends to widen access to abortion services by increasing the number of practitioners available to provide this critically needed care.
Senate Bill 487 would ensure that a health insurer, Medi-Cal, or health care service plan cannot penalize a licensed California health care provider who performs abortion or gender-affirming care services. Additionally, Medi-Cal would not be able to automatically suspend a provider’s license when they are suspended by a Medicaid program in another state for performing abortion or gender affirming care services.
Transparency, Oversight for In-Custody Deaths – SB 519
Senate Bill 519 will help improve conditions in county jails statewide and increase transparency for the families of victims by making investigatory reports of an in-custody death conducted by a sheriff’s department public and creating the position of Director of In-Custody Death Review within the Board of State and Community Corrections who will review investigations of deaths and make recommendations regarding policies, procedures, staffing, and other factors.
The state budget also has local wins. Being able to champion state funding for our local community and residents is an important part of my legislative focus. This year, despite economic challenges facing our state, my San Diego delegation colleagues and I were able to secure more than $60 million in the 2023-24 state budget for critical initiatives in the our region, including:
- $8.5 million for infrastructure projects in Balboa Park at the Fleet Science Center, the Spreckels Organ Project, the San Diego Natural History Museum and the World Beat Center
- $1.5 million to support our local Business Improvement Districts, as they provide community programming and events such as street fairs and farmers markets
- $2 million for the San Diego Housing Commission’s Casa Colina project that will support the densification of public agency-owned land and maximize the opportunity for additional affordable housing
- $2.5 million to the San Diego River Park Foundation for construction of the River Center at Grant Park
- $1.25 million to fund essential upgrades for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
- $3.5 million for the Memorial Community Park sports field lighting project
- $2.7 million to the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority for the Reach the Beach Trail and Western Gateway Project and Coast to Crest Trail
- $5 million to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego for California Coastal Monitoring and Coastal Ocean Pollution Pathogen Predictions modeling for the Tijuana River Estuary and border beaches;
- $1 million to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance for California’s Wildlife Health and Zoonotic Disease program
- $1.95 million for the East County Water Purification Project
- $2.2 million to create the San Diego Gun Violence Response Task Force.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 9), we reflect on the many ways that indigenous people have shaped our state and nation, in spite of a history of oppression and injustice against them. The stories of Indigenous Americans are part of the unique fabric of our nation, and we must continue to commit ourselves to meaningful collaboration with Native leaders to uplift Indigenous communities.
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day and all days, I look forward to strengthening our partnerships to create economic opportunity, combat the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis, and further secure their rights to land, water, and self-determination.
