Creating Change August 2024 |
The Senate is back in session and finishing up its final business before we adjourn. A lot has happened this month that I’m eager to share with you. In this issue of Creating Change - August 2024, we have updates on:
- First ever Constituent Walk and Talk,
- Caltrain electrification,
- Passage of the public safety package,
- SD 13 legislation,
- Security grant funding for religious institutions and non-profit organizations, and
- Press conferences on Interim Housing and on remembering the forced deportation of Mexicans and Mexican American citizens in the 1930s.
Constituent Walk and Talk |
First, I hosted the first ever SD 13 Constituent Walk and Talk with 40+ people that included a hike along the Skyline Ridge. We discussed community issues while enjoying the beautiful Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. We are so lucky to have 72,000 acres (and growing) of beautiful protected open space under the care of dedicated stewards from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Docents spoke about the work they do to protect and expand this land for future generations and pointed out important features of the trail. I enjoyed the conversations I had with our community members while we walked.
Caltrain Electrification |
All aboard the first all-electric Caltrain trip! On August 9, Caltrain debuted two brand new, high-performance, electric trains as part of a preliminary test run for a fully electrified fleet that will begin delivering regular service in September. This momentous new chapter in regional transit will provide faster, higher quality, and more frequent service. Every station will soon have service every 15-20 minutes in peak periods, compared to only seven currently.
This new fleet will decrease commuter congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve air quality. And our community will benefit from a significantly QUIETER train!
Governor Signs Legislature's Public Safety Bill Package |
Cracking down on retail crime and property theft has been a major priority of mine this year. I am pleased that Governor Newsom has signed into law a bipartisan public safety package, which I co-authored, that builds on the state’s robust public safety laws, establishes new penalties for repeat offenders, and gives law enforcement new tools to pursue felony prosecutions. These new tools will make communities safer by cracking down on smash-and-grab criminals and ensuring that these serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars face stiffer penalties.
In particular, SB 905 closes the burdensome “locked door loophole” that required proof that a burgled vehicle was locked at the time of the incident.
The Safer CA legislative package can be found here.
Legislative Update |
As we approach the final days of the legislative session, twelve of my bills have reached the Assembly Floor. We have made tremendous progress on legislation that will improve our transition to a carbon-free economy, protect our personal data from being sold to anyone, and reform our justice system. Here is a summary of bills that are on the Assembly Floor.
Cutting edge tech policy on Artificial Intelligence and protecting neural data:
- SB 942 - The California AI Transparency Act requires large GenAI providers to label AI-generated content and supply an AI-detection tool for users.
- SB 1223 - Protects consumers' neural data and protects it from nonconsensual use.
- SB 1120 - The Physicians Make Decisions Act requires physician oversight when algorithms are used to decide on medical services.
- SB 1288 - Creates the Workgroup on AI Use in Education.
Innovative solutions on Homelessness:
- SB 1395 - The Interim Housing Act gives local governments a new and proven tool to address unsheltered homelessness by building more interim housing faster and more efficiently.
Saving Solar:
- SB 1374 - Overturns a recent, harmful PUC ruling to restore some critical solar incentives for our schools, multi-family buildings and faith institutions for the energy that they self-consume.
Groundbreaking National Leadership:
- SB 537 - The Mexican Repatriation Memorial Act memorializes the hundreds of thousands of Mexican and Mexican American citizens who were illegally deported from the United States during the Great Depression.
Human services and better re-entry for incarcerated individuals:
- SB 1254 - The FRESH Act allows incarcerated people to apply for CalFresh benefits up to 90 days before their release to better prepare them for reentry and connect them to housing and employment services.
Juvenile Justice Leadership
- SB 1161 - The Juvenile Justice Omnibus Reform improves the efficacy of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
Cal OES Non-Profit Security Grant Funding |
As Vice Chair of the Jewish Caucus, I have fought for the safety of all Californians and championed an increase in funding for the California Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which has grown to become the most popular grant program administered by the state Office of Emergency Services with far more applicants than it can serve. These grants are intended to help synagogues, churches, mosques, LGBTQ+ Centers, and other gathering spaces subject to greater risk of hate crimes, to install and/or upgrade security infrastructure in order to protect people from hateful violence. I am proud that this year, working with the Governor, we secured $70 million to provide security to those who are targets of hate crimes, which will improve the lives of all Californians. Contact my office if you or an organization you know would like to apply for this grant funding.
Remembering the Mexican Repatriation of the 1930s |
The Mexican Repatriation of the 1930s was a period of forced deportations and injustices that devastated hundreds of thousands of Mexican and Mexican-American citizens and left a lasting scar on the community that continues to this day. I am working to bring greater awareness of the Mexican Repatriation by calling for a formal state commemoration in the form of a statue to memorialize the Mexican Repatriation to shed light on the injustices suffered and ensure such a historical travesty is never forgotten. I have authored SB 537 with Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez, who is the Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus, to lead this pivotal effort to secure justice for and recognition of this dark chapter in American history. I will be hosting an event in the district soon, and I hope our community will participate. You can watch the full press conference here and other news coverage in the “In the News” Section.
Passing the Interim Housing Act |
Pictured here from left to right: Alaniah Wiley; Louis Mirante, Bay Area Council; Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas); Senator Becker (D-Menlo Park); Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara); San José Mayor Matt Mahan (behind Senator Becker); and CEO Elizabeth Funk, CEO of DignityMoves.
As the Senate reconvened for our final weeks to pass legislation, I held a press conference at the State Capitol and invited Senator Catherine Blakespear, Assemblymember Gregg Hart, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Dignity Moves, and others to join me in calling for the passage of my Interim Housing Act (SB 1395). I set up mobile housing units on the west steps, which took only 30 minutes, to demonstrate the ease and effectiveness of interim housing solutions. The units I displayed are affordable, adaptable, and have a proven record of housing our unsheltered neighbors faster and helping to save lives. Of the entire homelessness population in California, 67 percent are unhoused; in other states, it’s 20 percent. We need to get people off the streets and indoors as soon as possible. People are dying on the streets and in encampments in record numbers. Dozens of supporters and individuals who benefitted from interim housing showed up to call for the passage of SB 1395. We will be showcasing this mobile housing solution across the state, including in Senate District 13. Stay tuned for more information. You can watch the full press conference here.
In the News |
Watch: State senator discusses injustice of 1930s US deportations (Video)
(NBC Bay Area, August 14, 2024)
Lawmakers call for memorial to recognize Mexican repatriation (Video)
(KCRA, August 15, 2024)
A high school student’s paper on the Mexican repatriation could lead to a new statue in L.A.
(LA Times, August 14, 2024)
Becker champions legislation for Mexican Repatriation memorial, plans Bay Area event
(Palo Alto Online, August 23, 2024)
California must recognize historic forced deportations, lawmakers say. ‘Ripped families apart’
(SacBee, August 15, 2024)
News from the California Capitol: New bill to speed up tiny homes production (Video)
(KGET News, August 14, 2024)
California Wants More Tiny Homes
(Newsweek, August 14, 2024)
Opinion: California’s solar transition has left most renters behind
(The Mercury News, August 13, 2024)
California bill aims to speed up tiny homes amid homelessness and housing crisis (Video)
(Fox 40, August 13, 2024)
Why AI is healthcare’s biggest wildcard
(Medical Buyer, August 13, 2024)
Housing bill could enable rapid shelter solutions
(Pleasanton, August 12, 2024)
Several housing bills are still in play in the California Legislature
(CapRadio, August 12, 2024)
Key California AI bills face rough road to passage
(LA Business Journal, August 9, 2024)
Senator Josh Becker tours interim housing models in support of passage of Interim Housing Bill
(InMenlo, August 9, 2024)
California Needs to Pull Carbon From the Air to Meet Its Climate Goals. This Bill Lays Out a Plan
(KQED, August 9, 2024)
With new bill, California lawmakers hope to expand interim housing options
(Courthouse News, August 8, 2024)
Prefab Temporary Housing Might Soon Shelter Unhoused Californians
(inkl, August 8, 2024)
California lawmaker pushes bypassing permits to tackle homelessness (Video)
(KTVU Fox 2, August 8, 2024)
FRESH Act a practical solution to connecting justice-impacted people to basic services like food (Opinion)
(Capitol Weekly, August 6, 2024)
Q&A: California Sen. Josh Becker, sponsor of neural privacy legislation
(Pluribus News, August 2, 2024)
California Superintendent of Public Instruction Launches Initiative to Add 2.3 Million New Housing Units by Developing Land Owned by Schools
(Sierra Sun Times, July 31, 2024)
Security, safety funding for hate crime prevention sees big boost
July 31, 2024, San Mateo Daily Journal
Redwood City Parking-Lots-To-Parks Project Taking Shape
Redwood City Pulse July 10, 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