SACRAMENTO, CA — SB 457, a bill designed to prevent the misuse of the Builder’s Remedy while ensuring that cities in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties are treated fairly as they work to meet the state’s housing goals. The bill closes loopholes that allow speculative developers to bypass zoning laws while still providing strong incentives for cities to adopt compliant Housing Elements on time.

Leaders are left with many questions about impacts of funding cuts

“This freeze on federal grants is illegal, immoral, and dangerous,” said state Sen. Josh Becker. “These funds support critical programs and jobs that people depend on every day. Halting them would put lives at risk, jeopardize major infrastructure projects, and hurt the economy by driving up unemployment.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) has been appointed by Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire to serve as Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications. This appointment places Senator Becker at the forefront of shaping California’s energy policies, with wide-ranging implications for the state’s economy, workforce, and global leadership in clean energy.

While SB 1120 does not entirely prohibit the use of AI technology, it mandates that human judgment remains central to coverage decisions

(The Mercury News) - Last year, about a quarter of all health insurance claims were denied in California — a reality mirrored nationwide that has stoked public anger toward health care companies, and led to accusations that such decisions lack human empathy.

(The Almanac) - State Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, has been appointed as chair of the Senate Committee on Energy Utilities and Communications by Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire, according to a press release from Becker’s office on Monday, Jan. 6. 

(Spectrum News) - LOS ANGELES — During the Great Depression, around a million people of Mexican descent, many of which were U.S. Citizens, were coerced into going to Mexico with the pretense of opening up jobs for other Americans. 

(Palo Alto Online) - California health insurers will be prohibited from relying solely on artificial intelligence to deny claims under new legislation that was authored by state Sen. Josh Becker and that will take effect next month.

Our history warns us that what begins as political rhetoric can lead to catastrophic actions

(The Mercury) - We have just concluded one of the most consequential presidential elections in recent history, and now we must face the reality of one of the most troubling themes of that election that may very well become policy: mass deportation.