Creating Change |
The First 100 Days
I can’t believe the first 100 days of my term have already passed. This past year has been a year like no other, with many of us facing challenges that were unthinkable just over a year ago. Nothing could have prepared me for the awesome responsibility of representing you in the State Senate, especially in the midst of a pandemic, but it’s been such an honor to advocate on your behalf on such important issues like climate change, economic mobility, and criminal justice reforms.
Vaccine Update
The state continues to administer hundreds of thousands of doses per day and more than half of all Californians have received at least one dose. Thankfully, we are well on our way to defeating this virus. Here are the latest numbers as of Monday:
- 11,622,180 (36.5%) Californians fully vaccinated
- 6,465,804 (20.3%) Californians partially vaccinated
- 28,398,915 doses administered in California
- 344,523 average doses administered per day
On Friday, the CDC lifted the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And over the weekend, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which is made up of independent public health experts from California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, also affirmed the safety of the vaccine and recommended resuming its use. This is great news.
Every Californian 16 and up is now eligible for vaccination. It’s safe, effective, and free. And the most important tool to protect ourselves and our loved ones and end the pandemic for good. If you have still not received a vaccine or scheduled an appointment, you can sign up for an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255. If appointments are not available, you can sign up to be notified when appointments open up.
With the progress we’ve made, the state is still on track to reopen on June 15th, but that can only happen if we continue to stay vigilant, keep wearing our masks, and get vaccinated.
EDD Update
My office has opened almost 400 EDD cases since taking office in December. Half of these cases have been closed and we continue to work to resolve the remaining open cases. We remain available to assist anybody who needs assistance with EDD or any state agency.
Hearing From You
Every month my staff fields thousands of calls, emails, and letters from constituents like you expressing their concerns and asking questions about bills before the Legislature. This month, we received over 6,000 comments from constituents including:
- 538 constituents in support of SB 467 to ban oil and gas production across California and require a 2,500 foot buffer between drilling sites and schools, homes, and playgrounds.
- 232 constituents in support of SB 556 to create a statewide process for 5G deployment on local governments’ streetlights and traffic poles.
- 191 constituents in support of SB 90 to add to each state measure on the ballot a short list of the official proponents and opponents from the voter information guide.
Thank you for sharing your comments with me.
Upcoming Events
- TONIGHT, Wed, 4/28: Understanding Hate: Rise in Violence and Impact on Our Communities - Register here
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- Tomorrow, Thur, 4/29: SD 13: COVID Champions Event - RSVP here
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Legislative Update
At the Capitol, we are well into the Legislative calendar and are nearing the deadline to pass bills out of their respective policy committees. My team and I continue to push forward my legislative agenda that is centered around fighting climate change, increasing economic mobility, and improving equal access to justice.
Of note, this week I will be presenting my bill to sharply reduce the carbon intensity of concrete in its first policy committee. Surprisingly, cement and concrete account for 7% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, and California is on track to use 40% more concrete and cement in the next two decades. Clamping down on the carbon in these essential building materials is crucial to combating climate change.
I will also be presenting my first bill on the Senate Floor next week. Named the California Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, this bill will encourage and support job training work models, like Employment Social Enterprises and worker co-ops, that help community members overcoming barriers -- such as exiting the justice system -- to return to the workforce.
This is just a snapshot of the many issues I am advocating for this year. You can read all of my bills here.
District Staff Update
I’m very excited to let you know that we’ve expanded our district office staff to better serve you.
We have added Helen Wolter as a full-time District Representative, who will be focusing on environmental, agricultural, and wildfire-related issues, and Antonio Lopez as a part-time District Representative, who will be focusing on our communities hardest-hit by COVID, including East Palo Alto and Fair Oaks, and our Latinx and veterans/Armed Forces communities.
As always, we are here to assist you. Please contact me at Senator.Becker@senate.ca.gov or by calling my District Office at 650-212-3313 if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Josh Becker
Senator, 13th District