Creating Change - May 2026

May 28, 2026

Creating Change

May 2026

This month, we experienced a heartbreaking tragedy with the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, an attack that has deeply impacted Muslim communities across California and reverberates across our country. This hateful act is a painful reminder that Islamophobia and violent extremism remain very real threats. I stand with the Muslim community against hate and will continue working to ensure that every person can safely gather and live free from fear. I recently convened a town hall on online hate to help parents understand how our youth are being exposed to dangerous and radicalizing content and what the can do about it. You can read more in this edition of my newsletter.

In this edition of Creating Change, I’ll be covering:
1 Fighting for Fairness for our Counties
2. Leading Conversations on Wildfire and Insurance Reform
3. Latino Spirit Awards at the Capitol
4. Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month
5. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Capitol
6. Fighting for Access to Reproductive Health Care
7. Commemorating Memorial Day
8. State’s 30×30 Goal Comes to Life in San Mateo County
9. Half Moon Bay Farmers Market
10. Convening a Town Hall on Online Hate and Radicalism
11. Financial Assistance for Building Electrification in East Palo Alto

FIGHTING FOR FAIRNESS FOR OUR COUNTIES

Senator Becker with local elected officials, labor and community leaders, and residents testifying in support of a VLF solution.

San Mateo County continues to be shortchanged by an unfair and outdated rule created decades ago to address a state budget deficit. The rule leaves San Mateo County as one of only three counties in California that does not receive the Vehicle Licensing Fee funding it is owed. This month, I testified before the Senate Budget Committee alongside county leaders, local officials, and community representatives who traveled to Sacramento to advocate for a permanent fix. These revenues support essential local services like public safety, health care, housing, parks, and early education. I remain committed to fighting in support of our counties for every dollar our communities deserve and advancing a long-term solution that brings fairness and stability to San Mateo County.

LEADING CONVERSATIONS ON WILDFIRES AND INSURANCE REFORMS

Senator Becker chairing Joint Informational Hearing on Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Water and Emergency Management.

Each year, the California Latino Legislative Caucus hosts a Spirit Awards ceremony to recognize individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and service have made a lasting impact on California’s Latino communities. This year, I was excited that Tamara Gisiger was selected as one of the honorees. Tamara was being recognized for her work to bring awareness to the Mexican Repatriation of the 1930s — a dark chapter in our nation’s history when hundreds of thousands of Mexicans and Mexican Americans were forcibly deported or pressured to leave the country. She approached me while she was still in high school with an essay on the repatriation, which opened my eyes to this period of our history, leading me to author SB 537 to establish a memorial and bring awareness to this struggle.

Our immigrant communities continue to face fear, discrimination, and attacks on their dignity and their rights. The esteemed leaders recognized this year stand up for vulnerable communities, preserve important histories that others would rather erase, and fight every day to expand justice, opportunity, and respect for all Californians.

CELEBRATING JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Senator Becker with members of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and honorees of the first annual Jewish American Heritage Month.

This month, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus hosted the first-ever Jewish American Heritage Month celebration at the State Capitol, honoring the generations of Jewish Americans who have helped shape California through leadership in public service, civil rights, education, philanthropy, business, and community advocacy. In attendance were Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis, other constitutional officers and legislators, community leaders, and family and friends of the honorees. One of the honorees was a constituent, Carol Saal, who was recognized for her work in philanthropy for numerous non-profit organizations in the Jewish Community and other communities. She also helped found the Ronald McDonald House and the Center for Clinical Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine. The event celebrated the diversity and resilience of Jewish life in California while also recognizing the importance of solidarity and standing together against rising antisemitism and hate.

AAPI HERITAGE MONTH AT THE CAPITOL

May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, where we celebrate the generations of AAPI individuals who have helped shape California and the nation. I’m proud to represent a district that is home to a vibrant and diverse AAPI community whose traditions, leadership, and entrepreneurship continue to strengthen our region. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to attend and celebrate cultural events throughout the district, from Lunar New Year celebrations and night markets to festivals and community gatherings that bring people together and deepen understanding across cultures. This month is also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of solidarity and standing together against hate while honoring the resilience and lasting impact of AAPI communities across our state.

FIGHTING FOR ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE

Senator Becker with advocates for reproductive health care services.

I recently met with Planned Parenthood leaders to discuss the growing challenges facing reproductive and preventative health care services across California. Two of Planned Parenthood’s four facilities in the region have been forced to close, and four key services statewide have been discontinued, including prenatal care, family medicine, and behavioral health services. These cuts raise serious concerns about access to care for vulnerable communities. I’ll keep fighting to protect access to affordable, comprehensive health care and ensure Californians can continue receiving these critical services.

COMMEMORATING MEMORIAL DAY

Senator Becker participating in the Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade.

Memorial Day is a time to honor the brave servicemembers who gave their lives in defense of our country and our freedoms. This year, I was honored to participate in the Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade as our community came together to remember the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and express gratitude to the military families who carry their legacy forward. We owe a profound debt to those who served and recognize the importance of preserving the values they fought to protect.

State’s 30×30 Goal Comes to Life in San Mateo County

I had the opportunity to co-author this op-ed with Kellyx Nelson on California’s 30x30 conservation goals and the real progress happening here in San Mateo County. From restoring habitat and protecting wildlife to strengthening climate resilience, this work shows what’s possible when local leadership, conservation, and community partnerships come together. Check it out here.

HALF MOON BAY FARMERS MARKET

Senator Becker with Senate District 13 staff.

My favorite events in the district are the ones where I get to walk, talk, eat and enjoy what makes the communities of Senate District 13 so special. And what better place to start off the month of May than at the Coastside Farmers Market in Half Moon Bay.

Each Saturday morning, local farmers, ranchers, fishermen, growers and culinary artisans gather at Shoreline Station to share their bounty of nutritious and creative food at this certified market. Market director Erin Tormey welcomed my staff and me to host office hours at the market. We met shoppers and discussed an array of important community issues, such as the need for a Half Moon Bay swimming pool, the commercial salmon season, the Harbor District, and all-cover youth support services.

The farmers market also showcases Market Match, which is California’s largest healthy food incentive program. It helps CalFresh recipients buy more fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets and other local farm stands by matching a portion of their benefits. The Market Match Program has a significant impact on the ground for Coastsiders experiencing food insecurity. Thousands of people are choosing to eat healthier food every week because of the leveraged spending they get from Market Match. I was proud to secure state funding for this important program that matches dollar for dollar the money spent on fresh produce.

Of course, what would a farmers’ market be without “grab and go” treats for a hungry state Senator? I enjoyed some amazing quiche, cherries, strawberries and green tea. Watch for my upcoming office hours at a farmers’ market near you!

CONVENING A TOWN HALL ON COMBATTING ONLINE HATE AND RADICALISM

Senator Becker with Dr. Sunny Xun Liu, Director of Research, Stanford Social Media Lab.

Last month, I convened a community conversation focused on how social media, online gaming, and other online platforms can expose young people to dangerous and hateful ideologies hidden in dark corners of the internet and what we can do to better protect our youth and communities.

Tragically, the recent shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego is yet another painful reminder of the violent consequences of online hate and radicalization.

Several important themes emerged from our discussion. Social media platforms must be held more accountable for the hateful content and algorithms they amplify. We need stronger support and security resources for targeted communities. We need thoughtful guardrails that keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. And we must encourage people to report incidents of hate and extremism so communities and law enforcement can better understand and respond to these threats before violence occurs.

Thank you to everyone who participated, to our hosts at the College of San Mateo, and to our panelists for helping lead this important conversation.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION IN EAST PALO ALTO

As we work in the Legislature to make progress on our state’s path to net zero, I will continue to promote opportunities for financial and logistical assistance on home electrification. We are lucky to have a host of programs in Senate District 13 to remove barriers for renters and homeowners alike to reduce their energy bills and live in healthier, more efficient homes. This month I’ll be spotlighting a state-funded initiative providing free home electrification upgrades to income-qualified households. El Concilio, in partnership with the Association for Energy Affordability, is offering multilingual (English, Spanish) assistance to East Palo Alto residents with applications for the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program.

Eligible applicants must be:
•    Located in specific East Palo Alto census tracts
•    At or below 80% of Area Median Income or currently enrolled in programs such as Medi-Cal, SNAP, or LIHEAP
•    Living in properties built before January 1, 2020 currently relying on fossil fuel appliances

If you’re interested in electrifying your home in East Palo Alto and think you might be eligible, please reach out to your local community partner to learn more.