Hi Neighbors,
As we gather together to celebrate this Labor Day, it’s important to remember the holiday doesn’t just celebrate our workers, but also the unions that put workers’ best interests at heart and help them be strong in good times and bad. You’ve heard me say my parents were the hardest working people I’ve ever known. That is true, and their sacrifices inspire me to do the work I do and try and make life better for working people and their families. It’s with them in mind that I continue to work hard this end of session, which will wrap up in a few weeks. I look forward to highlighting how everything turned out in October, and for now, will leave you with a few important updates.
End of session approaching
The 2023 legislative session is nearing its end and legislators are now working to evaluate bills, determine fiscal impacts, and prepare to send legislation to the Governor for his signature after final passage later this month.
Legislation that I have authored, including bills to strengthen and expand protections for abortion access and providers, expand inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals across the country, and promote safety and transparency in county detention facilities across our state, continue to make their way through the process. I look forward to updating you on their outcomes in next month’s column.
Be sure to follow my accounts on Gorjeo, Facebook, y Instagram to receive updates as we move through our busy end-of-session season!
Be fire ready
Here in San Diego County, we are no strangers to the devastating impacts of wildfires. Recent fires in the Mojave National Preserve and the Bunnie Fire in eastern San Diego County are reminders that last year’s wet winter doesn’t mean we can be any less vigilant about fire safety this fall.
Maintaining 100 feet of defensible spaces around your property helps to make it more fire resilient, and provides access for firefighters. The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County offers a number of helpful resources, including a defensible space assistance program for senior citizens and disabled residents, and community workshops. I encourage everyone to take action and make sure your home or business are fire safe. That includes ensuring that evacuation plans are current and that each member of your household, or employee at work, knows how to get to a safe location.
Reflections on Maui
Thinking about fire risk and the devastation that wildfires have on our communities is a stark reminder of the devastation and loss of life on Maui last month. It was a truly horrific tragedy and brings back vivid memories of the wildfires that we have endured here in San Diego and throughout our state. As a San Diegan and Californian, my heart is with the residents of Maui and their loved ones as they mourn those lost, and begin the process of rebuilding.
Women’s Equality Day
Women’s Equality Day is a day to celebrate the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, and an opportunity to reinforce the continued need to protect and advance women’s rights. As we honored that important victory during a panel discussion at the Women’s Museum of California’s annual Women’s Equality Day Celebration on August 26th, we recognized that the fight for suffrage did not end with the 19th Amendment for women of color.
This Women’s Equality Day, it’s important to reflect on all that the state of California has done to improve and advance the lives of women – from protecting access to reproductive health care to bolstering workplace equality and economic parity – and what remaining challenges we need to address. I remember watching my own mother “doing her figures” in the evening after a long day working as a seamstress, calculating if we’d have enough to make ends meet. My mother worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known but she couldn’t work her way out of poverty.
Decades have passed, but still there are so many women and mothers struggling. Helping improve their lives, and upholding their rights, is my unwavering goal this Women’s Equality Day— and every day.
