Right now in the Capitol, we are experiencing one of the busiest times of the legislative year. We are in the midst of several marathon sessions to meet what’s called the “House of Origin Deadline.” That’s when all the bills introduced in the Senate have to be approved and sent to the Assembly, become bills that will be finalized next year, or cross the legislative equivalent of the Rainbow Bridge. The same goes for bills authored in the Assembly.
Updates on My Bills
SB 385, which would expand training for physicians assistants to allow them to perform first trimester abortions under their scope of practice, was approved by the Senate by a 28-8 vote.
SB 487, which would strengthen protections for California healthcare providers who offer abortion care services and gender-affirming care, was approved by the Senate by a 31-8 vote
SB 447, which would end California’s travel ban to states that have adopted discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ laws and replace it with the BRIDGE Project, a donation-driven fund that could be used to create non-partisan, inclusive messaging, discourage discrimination, and help members of the LGBTQ+ community feel less isolated, was approved by the Senate by a 31-8 vote
SB 450 would make SB 9, the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, more accessible for homeowners who wish to use it, was approved by the Senate by a 30-7 vote
SB 519, which would promote safety in county detention facilities and ensure more transparent oversight of the Sheriff’s Departments that oversees them, was approved by the Senate by a 32-0 vote.
2023-24 State Budget
This month of deadlines also includes California’s Constitutional requirement to complete the annual state budget by the June 15. Last month, Gov. Newsom released his revised budget proposal, and while it signals that times are tough, California remains strong. My colleagues and I appreciate the Governor’s revised proposal reflecting many of the Senate’s “Protect Our Progress” key values, which include avoiding ongoing cuts to core programs, preserving our primary Rainy Day Fund, and expanding responsible borrowing – including a new Climate Bond – to avoid cuts to climate and infrastructure projects.
We will be updating our ‘Protect Our Progress’ budget plan to take into account the latest economic data, and remain committed to preserving transit, broadband, and other infrastructure investments, and addressing our long-term child care and homelessness needs. We look forward to working with Governor Newsom and the Assembly to reach a final budget in the weeks ahead, and are confident that we will be able to deliver an on-time, responsible, equitable budget.
Juneteenth
On June 19, a few days after the budget deadline, Californians will once again celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. While some attempt to minimize the stain of slavery on our nation’s history and conscience, Juneteenth is an excellent way to learn from the past as we continue to build a more equitable future. The observance of Juneteenth has grown in recent years, and I’m hoping that trend continues.
Pride Month
Even though San Diego’s LGBTQ+ Pride events are traditionally held in July, June is nationally recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, commemorating the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in New York City in June 1969, which sparked the movement for LGBTQ+ equality.
Pride Month is both a time to celebrate the freedom to live our lives openly and authentically, as well as a call to action to secure and preserve equal protection under the law. While there has been remarkable progress toward equality and acceptance, the LGBTQ+ community remains under attack, with increasing violence, especially against transgender women of color, and other states introducing hundreds of hateful anti-LGBTQ+ bills.
Each year, the California LGBTQ Legislative Caucus honors individuals who have worked to advance LGBTQ+ equality. This year, I nominated Janessa Goldbeck, a decorated LGBTQ+ Marine Corps veteran who, in addition to deploying overseas, fought a policy that banned women from top jobs in the military and stood up for victims of sexual assault as a Uniformed Victim Advocate. She is the CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, a national nonprofit organization with more than 1.5 million members that gives veterans and military families a bigger say on issues like lowering costs for families, fighting the climate crisis, and tackling homelessness.
Janessa is an invested leader in the community and serves on numerous boards and task forces. She and her wife live in Talmadge with their dogs and a small flock of hens.
Nonprofit of the Year: Goodwill Industries of San Diego County
I’m happy to announce that I have selected Goodwill Industries of San Diego County as our 2023 Nonprofit of the Year for the 39th Senate District. The organization will be honored on June 7 at a special event in Sacramento to honor nonprofits selected by the California Legislature.
Since 1930, they have provided employment and training opportunities to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment, helping many members of our community who require additional training and services to aid them in their goal of self-sufficiency.
Specifically, Goodwill San Diego provides resources for people whose job options are limited due to lack of work experience, criminal past, lack of shelter, prior history of drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness and residents or community members with developmental, intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.
In 2022, Goodwill San Diego, which operates 28 retail stores throughout the county, employed nearly 1,600 individuals, over half of whom were people with disabilities or other barriers to employment, and assisted 5,330 San Diego County community members. Through the collection of donated items, Goodwill San Diego diverted over 65 million pounds of materials from landfills, and almost 6 million pounds of electronics were recycled.
For more information on Goodwill Industries of San Diego County visit their website at sdgoodwill.org
