Press Releases

“We are in the middle of a crisis that can be ended within weeks if people simply get vaccinated,” said Senator Becker. “We are seeing COVID cases rise, and we must do everything we can to ensure lives are not lost simply because some in our community disagree with the science. Governor Newsom led the way by requiring state employees to be vaccinated or be tested at least once a week for COVID-19. Schools must follow suit. This would heighten protections for everyone.”




State Senator Josh Becker honored the StreetCode Academy today as the 2021 Nonprofit of the Year for the 13th Senate District. The senator praised the organization not only for its ambitious mission but also for redoubling its efforts during the pandemic to bridge a digital divide that threatened to become a chasm for vulnerable communities and people of color.




Inspired by the Peninsula city of Belmont, a bill by Senator Josh Becker that enables cities to team up on state-funded road projects was signed today by Governor Gavin Newsom. “Sometimes one change can make a powerful difference,” said Senator Becker, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee. “I’m grateful for the support of Governor Newsom and the bipartisan support of Legislative colleagues. They recognize what this will mean for cities and counties across our state – particularly smaller cities – when maintaining and repairing roads that link their communities.”




California’s support of child care, care providers and working parents will be unparalleled,” said Senator Josh Becker of the bill the Legislature is sending to Governor Newsom to expand child care, reform child care rates and improve facilities across the state. “I am so proud to be a member of the Legislature that is making these historic investments possible,” said Senator Becker, D-Peninsula. “To quote early childhood care and education advocate Scott Moore, ‘Simply put, this legislation will make California the best state in the nation to raise a child.’




Work to expand the Peninsula’s Big Lift Early Learning Initiative, fund a new JobTrain center in East Palo Alto, create affordable housing in Mountain View, enhance a multi-use trail in Sunnyvale, and repair the popular Pacifica Pier will get a substantial boost from $18.3 million in allocations included in a state budget trailer bill that Governor Newsom signed late Monday. “I couldn’t be more pleased by the investments approved by the Governor and supported by my colleagues in the Legislature,” said state Senator Josh Becker, D-Peninsula, who advocated for the funding.




“Water is a precious essential resource. With San Mateo and Santa Clara counties now included in the Governor’s emergency drought proclamation, we all must take steps to ensure we are conserving water and doing our utmost to further water resilience,” Senator Becker said.




For Immediate Release 

SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed legislation by Senator Josh Becker today to improve access to civil justice by updating the eligibility criteria for low-income Californians who seek a waiver of filing fees and other costs associated with litigation.




MENLO PARK – State Senator Josh Becker, D-Peninsula, hailed the announcement today by Governor Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and housing committee leaders Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember David Chiu, of their proposal to extend protections to California renters hit hard by the pandemic.