March 2024 Newsletter

SENATOR BECKER ANNOUNCES LEGISLATION TO GET UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS INDOORS FASTER

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Photo courtesy of ABC 7.

Last week, local community leaders, housing advocates, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan joined me to announce my bill that expands a proven model so that we can significantly reduce unsheltered homelessness. The Interim Supportive Housing Act of 2024 (SB 1395) cuts red tape for local governments to get permits to construct interim housing, streamlines the process for constructing these projects at significantly reduced costs, saving precious taxpayer dollars, and gets people indoors faster and at lower costs.  

SB 1395 is the missing rung on the ladder from unsheltered homelessness to permanent housing. We have seen this strategy effectively get our unhoused brothers and sisters indoors and on the path towards permanent housing in San Jose and other communities with great success, and it is time that California validate this model and adopt a state strategy for interim supportive housing.

COMPREHENSIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE

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Photo courtesy of Scripps News.

This year, I am joining my colleagues in Sacramento to pass legislation that protects consumers from the potential risks of artificial intelligence. I am sure you have heard of recent stories about deepfakes targeting celebrities, electoral candidates, and even children. I am committed to ensuring that AI is used in a responsible and safe manner and that we educate the public, especially our children, about the risks and potential consequences of misusing AI. 

That is why I am authoring several bills that will: (1) ensure that your doctor and you have the final say in your medical treatment decisions, and not AI generated algorithms; (2) create transparency by requiring large AI companies to embed markers in and on AI generated content, and impose stiff penalties for violations; and (3) create a working group that gives educational experts the ability to assess the opportunities and risks of utilizing AI in the learning process.

For a list of my current legislation on AI, please visit my website here.  

DOMINI HOSKINS BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER

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Photo courtesy of ABC 7.

During Black History Month, I was thrilled to work with the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center to announce funding that I secured to help find a permanent home that will now be open year-round. This historical treasure trove tells the stories of so many important parts of Black History in our country, and I am proud that our community has this invaluable educational resource for not only our students but for the entire community. 

I was amazed at how much I learned about the enormous contributions of Black entrepreneurs, artists, and business and community leaders. This would not have been possible without the advocacy of students, the $2 million state funding, and the incredible work that Executive Director Carolyn Hoskins has done over so many years to curate and preserve this history. Come visit the museum at 890 Jefferson Avenue, Redwood City CA 94063!

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE “OUGHT TO BE A LAW” CONTEST

I would like to thank all of my constituents who submitted bill ideas for the 2024 legislative session’s “Ought to Be a Law” contest. My staff and I review every single entry and we are impressed by the range and diversity of ideas on how to improve our state’s laws. When submitting a bill for the Legislature’s consideration, I look for a bill that, if passed and signed into law, would have a broad and positive effect on Californians. 

I’m excited to announce that the winner of this year’s contest is Menlo Park resident Carol Thompsen, Founder and Executive Director of All Five. Thompsen submitted a bill idea that would address a critical need in our state. California is facing a dramatic workforce shortage for early child care workers. This shortage is often attributed to low wages, a lack of state support, and the high cost of childcare for early childhood educator (ECE) workers’ own children. SB 1307 encourages the growth of the early childhood educator workforce by making ECE workers eligible for state subsidized child care. 

I congratulate Carol Thompsen on a wonderful bill idea submission, and I look forward to advancing this bill through the legislative process.

We had many excellent bill idea submissions this year. If we did not select your bill idea this year, I greatly appreciate your participation and encourage you to continue to share your thoughts on new legislation and submit your ideas for next year.

CALIFORNIA EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT

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As we approach the annual tax filing deadline, I want to make sure you are aware that you may be eligible for a California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) up to $3,529 for tax year 2023 as a working family or individual earning up to $30,950 per year. To see if you qualify and and for instructions on how to apply, you can visit the CalEITC website here. 

EV SUPPLY CHAIN AND BATTERY MANUFACTURING HUB IN THE BAY AREA

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I recently joined community, labor and environmental leaders in Richmond to discuss how the Bay Area can lead on decarbonizing our economy and our transportation supply chain while advancing the rights of workers and Indigenous Peoples. This coincided with the launch of the “Lead the Charge 2024 Leaderboard Report”, which analyzes and ranks automakers progress, or lack thereof, in cleaning up their supply chain, improving human rights and worker policies, including mining practices, and preserving our environment. 

As the Chair of the Bay Area Caucus and Chair of the Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy, I am committed to ensuring that we decarbonize our economy in a way that achieves our climate goals and protects communities most impacted by climate change. That is why I am authoring several bills this year that transition California towards a carbon-free economy, including my SB 1206, which promotes the creation of a next generation battery hub in Northern California as well as skilled and trained jobs. 

Josh Becker in the News

 

 

 

Sincerely,
Josh Becker
Senator, 13th District