Creating Change July 2024 |
Pictured here: Senator Becker and some capitol staff and interns participating in “Fork of July” at the Capitol in celebration of Independence Day
I hope you had a fun and pleasant Fourth of July celebration! It’s summer time, and that means we need to prepare for hotter and drier weather. These conditions increase the risk of wildfires. The best way to prepare for a wildfire is to reduce your risk through home hardening, creating defensible spaces, and removing potential hazardous fuels. For any emergency, you should have an evacuation plan and a go-bag, and you should follow the instructions of your local emergency services. Here are some important safety tips for you for extreme heat and other emergencies.
Around the Peninsula |
As many of you know, there was another serious accident at the Burlingame Broadway Train Crossing on July 8, causing significant delays for passengers and commuters. Thankfully, there were no injuries. This intersection is the most dangerous train crossing in the state. Last month, I successfully fought to secure $75 million in state funding for a grade separation at this intersection so that we can improve the safety of our community and reduce collisions, noise and pollution. We are moving closer to launching a fully electrified Caltrain this fall, which means more frequent train crossings. We need grade separations at ALL of our major crossings. I will continue working to make sure that this train crossing project and the ones up next in Palo Alto and Mountain View reach the finish line.
Around the Capitol |
The Legislature is in recess until August 5, and legislators have returned to their districts for the summer work period. When we reconvene in August, I will be working hard to pass my legislation and send it to the Governor’s desk. The Senate will also be looking at ways to address political violence and political polarization. Stay tuned for more.
Climate Bond Headed to Ballot |
The Legislature recently approved a $10 billion climate bond measure that will be voted on this November. This bond, which I co-authored, creates a new and stable source of funding for investments in climate resilience, coastal protection, and wildfire prevention and would help our communities avoid and recover from the impacts of wildfire, flood, and drought. Here are some highlights of the funding:
- $765 million at the State Coastal Conservancy for coastal resilience, addressing the impacts of sea level rise, and ensuring critical community infrastructure is protected from flood risks;
- $300 million in climate-smart, sustainable and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands;
- $450 million to protect our most vulnerable communities from extreme heat, including $150 million for the Transformative Climate Communities Program and $100 million for green schoolyards;
- $870 million at the Wildlife Conservation Board to protect California’s biodiversity; and
- $850 million for projects that accelerate us toward 100% renewable energy resources.
California Hate Crimes Report |
Last month, the California Department of Justice released a report on Hate Crime in California. Data for 2023 shows that overall hate crimes decreased but that anti-Jewish crimes increased more than any other religious or ethnic motivated crime. You can read the report here.
As Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, I have been working in the Senate to address this rise in antisemitism and other forms of hate, including securing $80 million the budget this year for security grants for houses of worship of all faiths and community centers, implementing the Governor’s Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism, and co-authoring legislation on combating all forms of hate in campus, workspaces, and communities. Additionally, Stanford University recently came out with two reports – one on antisemitism on campus – and one on Islamophobia – with recommendations on how to improve campus climate. You can read the reports here.
Constituent Services |
Every day, my district office team works to resolve issues that residents have with government agencies and other organizations. Last month, we opened 39 new constituent cases and successfully resolved 27 of them with the remaining 12 still being worked on. One case I would like to highlight is regarding a constituent who reached out to my office concerned about not receiving SDI (disability benefits), which had previously never been a problem. Without this, they could not pay their mortgage. My team successfully worked with the Employment Development Department to have an agent review the claim and clear up issues with payments and accessing the funds, and this constituent was able to pay the mortgage on time. If you need help with a state or local agency, please contact my district office.
In the News |
Bill to disrupt access to landlines in San Mateo County dropped: Local leaders herald legislation being stopped at key committee
(San Mateo Daily Journal, July 2, 2024)
Redwood City parking-lots-to-parks project taking shape
(Redwood City Pulse, July 10, 2024)
Report: Anti-Jewish hate crimes in California rose at ‘alarming’ rate last year
(JWeekly, July 3, 2024)
$10 billion green bond measure to appear on November ballots
(CBS Bay Area, July 5, 2024)
$20 billion for climate change and school construction bonds heading toward November ballot
(The Mercury News, July 1, 2024)
If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact my district office at (650) 233-2724.
Sincerely,
Senator Josh Becker