Senator Josh Becker’s August ’22 Newsletter

Budget Highlights

This summer we approved key investments for the recovery and resiliency of Californians and our state, while banking hefty reserves. We also must prepare for a potential downturn. That’s why I advocated for budgeting as much towards the state’s reserves as possible.

I fought for funding in areas including affordable housing, education, mental health, economic equity, increasing public safety and fast-tracking our clean energy transition. I know a $300B budget can be overwhelming, so I had my team create these graphics. I hope you find them helpful. Please let me know!

• $2.7B for housing needs & $3B+ to address homelessness
• A 15% year-over-year increase on PK12 spending & key investments to increase access and affordability for higher education
• $175M to support youth mental health programs
• Keeping places of worship and other nonprofit organizations at risk of hate-motivated violence safe, addressing organized retail theft, and—finally—getting guns out of the hands of those who should not have them
• Almost $20B to continue the fight against climate change, including critical dollars to fight wildfires

Over the last two years, I’ve also been able to secure over $30M in investments for key projects across the Peninsula, including:

• $8M for Affordable Housing – Mountain View’s “Lot 12” affordable housing project
• $3.8M for the Evelyn Avenue bike lane upgrade & multi-use trail in Sunnyvale
• $5M for Economic Mobility – the East Palo Alto JobTrain Center
• $500K to repair the Pacifica Pier
• $4.5M for the Clean Energy Transition – electrifying homes and buildings in Menlo Park
• $4.45M for Green Space – converting parking lots to parks in Redwood City
• $2M to replace the Newell Road Bridge connecting Palo Alto & East Palo Alto
• $1M for South San Francisco’s North San Mateo Economic Advancement Center
• $1M for Early Childhood Education – the Big Lift - pioneering San Mateo County initiative.
• $500K for the San Mateo County Union Community Alliance Trades Introduction Program
   

Remaining Budget Work

We must remember, however, that we still have important work to do. I look forward to finalizing details on the $19B we’ve budgeted for climate investments and seeing that the outstanding climate policies are passed.

These are crucial decisions that can set us on a firmer, swifter path to achieve our climate goals and alleviate the severe climate impacts we are already experiencing. We need to act now to prevent devastating wildfires, prepare for drought, and be ready for sea level rise.

In the words of Franklin Roosevelt, “Let not the defeatists tell us that it is too late. It will never be earlier. Tomorrow will be later than today.”

Legislative Update

I am working hard to pass legislation to improve the quality of life on our Peninsula. Coming into office, I made climate, justice, and economic mobility key pillars of my policy platform. I’m proud to report significant progress on all three of these fronts–and then some!

One of the ways to improve our quality of life is to improve our transportation options. One of the bills I’m authoring is to begin to transform the Bay Area’s transit system into a world-class, seamless experience for the public, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving access to jobs and housing.

You can read about all of my legislation here.

Senator Becker In the News

Opinion: California has the means to make clean tech affordable for all

• “With gas prices hitting record highs, the effects of climate change ever more present, Russia making almost $1 billion a day from gas and oil while invading its neighbor, and air pollution killing 10 million people a year worldwide, including nearly 9,000 Californians, the need to transition from fossil fuels has never been greater.”

Becker shares a cup of coffee with constituents

• “Becker began with a synopsis of the issues he is trying to tackle with legislation in Sacramento. The daunting list includes climate change and reaching net zero greenhouse emissions by 2035, universal early childhood education, homelessness and mental health infrastructure, providing health care and other support for the farmworker community, and building broadband infrastructure that will serve areas like the Coastside.”

MTC aims to develop single mapping, wayfinding system for Bay Area transit

• State Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) introduced a bill in February that would require all 27 agencies in the Bay Area to implement a standardized fare system and align their schedules by mid-2024.

A $4.5 million grant from the state sparks Menlo Park's conversion to all-electric buildings

• Menlo Park is receiving $4.5 million from the state of California to fund the city’s electrification program in partnership with BlocPower, in efforts to switch from natural gas. This makes electricity much more affordable to residents. Blocpower will not just provide all the tools for residents to completely electrify their homes, but will also provide the workforce training to create local jobs to complete these projects. State Senator Josh Becker formulated this $4.5 million idea from the state budget, to assist residents with electrification conversion projects.

California legislature approves $12 million in Peninsula investments proposed by Senator Josh Becker

• “Our state Senate and Assembly have approved historic investments for the recovery and resiliency of Californians and our state, while banking hefty reserves and positioning California for a strong future.”

State legislators secure funding for local projects

• The California legislature passed this year’s $300 billion spending plan, Josh Becker was able to earmark over $12 million to use for infrastructure needs, job training initiatives, and environmental programs in his district.

COVID-19 Update & Resources

If you do test positive and have any risk factors then talk to a doctor as soon as possible about treatment options, including Paxlovid and other treatments. The Test-to-Treat program is one easy way to get treatment. Test-to-Treat locations will give you a test and treatment. Find a Test-to-Treat location near you.

Staff Update

I’m very excited to let you know that we’ve expanded our capitol office staff to better serve you.

We have added Jo Gardias, a recent Cal grad and Palo Alto resident, as a full-time Legislative Aide, who will staff my Subcommittee on the Clean Energy Future and advise me on issues pertaining to energy and climate change.

District Events

I was excited to hold an in-person Java with Josh in Half Moon Bay. We had over 50 neighbors in attendance at Mac Dutra Park and had important conversations about the state budget, my bill package, infrastructure, climate, and transportation concerns. I spent the rest of the day visiting some other Coastside locales as well, including the amazing non-profit ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar), the Kehoe Watershed, and the 75th anniversary of the Coastside Water District.

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.