Mountain View Voice: The CPUC recently set aside plans to vote on a controversial proposal to revise the state's rooftop solar program. That's good. This time-out gives regulators a chance to rethink their proposal and tackle what Gov. Gavin Newsom described as "still ... some work to do." I agree…California is the U.S. leader in solar energy and adds a power plant-worth of rooftop solar about every five months. However, being the leader doesn't mean our work is over. We need more clean energy of every kind.
In the News
Palo Alto Weekly: With the Russian Federation launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Rep. Anna Eshoo on Thursday denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin and backed the package of sanctions the U.S. and its allies announced against Russia.
State Senator Josh Becker, who represents the 13th District, called the Russian attach "an overreach by Putin that he will regret." "The rise in autocracy around the world is greatly troubling, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the latest manifestation of this," he said in an email. "I fully support severe sanctions announced by the U.S. and our allies. We must strengthen democracy here and abroad. Ukrainian people are brave and not giving in."
California Patch.com: Senate Bill 1481, introduced by state Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), would require the State Department of Social Services to reimburse up to two meals a day per child at preschool and daycare facilities and all meals served in family daycare homes. "California's youngest children cannot be left out of our state's groundbreaking meals policy to tackle food insecurity among learners," Becker said. "SB 1481 would ensure that all families can send their kids to child care centers offering free, nutritious meals.
The Almanac News: California could expand its free public school meals program to also include children in daycare under a bill introduced last week, state Sen. Josh Becker said.
Sacramento Business Journal: Just last year, our representatives in Sacramento and Gov. Gavin Newsom took a significant step forward by signing Senate Bill 596, a bipartisan measure introduced by Sen. Josh Becker, which puts the state on a path toward zeroing out our emissions by 2045. Now, lawmakers can redouble the effort by voting for a companion bill, SB 778, also introduced by Sen. Becker, which would incentivize builders who incorporate low-carbon concrete into their projects.
San Mateo Daily Journal: Following a weekend encampment fire on Caltrans land in Redwood City, city officials are calling on agency representatives to meet this week with hopes of developing solutions for protecting the health and safety of residents. In response to Hale’s request to meet with Caltrans leadership, which she also posted on her Twitter account, state Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, told her he intends on discussing the incident when he meets with Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin this Thursday on an unrelated matter.
Patch: “We are calling on CalTrans to come to the table this week with our City and our legislative representatives to develop an immediate plan to protect our community from the health and safety issues created by encampments on their land,” Mayor Hale said. “We are grateful to our legislators for their collaboration and responsiveness.” Senator Becker replied on Twitter: “I hear you. Thanks to you and the Council for calling attention to this. I have a meeting with the Director of CalTrans on Thursday about encampments and other issues and will use this example!”
San Mateo Daily Journal: Fixin’ San Mateo has also garnered support from a broad coalition of groups across the county: Belmont Neighbors Against Racism, Redwood City for Equity, Raging Grannies, Center for Common Ground, SF Peninsula People Power (an offshoot of the ACLU), Democracy for America, Law Enforcement Accountability Group, Unitarian Universal Church of Redwood City, Sisters of Mercy and many other top-level elected officials like state Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, and Assemblymember Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco.