Creating Change

May 2025

Pictured here: Senator Becker’s acceptance speech of the Leon L. Sullivan Award at JobTrain

I’m incredibly proud to announce that JobTrain recently named me the first national recipient of the Reverend Leon L. Sullivan Award. Rev. Sullivan was a visionary civil rights leader and founder of Opportunities Industrialized Centers (OIC), whose “self-help” philosophy empowered millions through job training and economic opportunity. JobTrain is one of the Bay Area’s most impactful workforce development organizations, celebrating 60 years of service to our community. JobTrain has been a lifeline for thousands, advancing economic mobility for people from underserved communities through career training, personalized support, and real pathways to opportunity. With record-breaking service numbers and life-changing results, JobTrain continues to shape a brighter future for families across our region.

Pictured here: With Senator Becker, SLC Students Leah Collins, Liliana Pellican, Audrey Majzun, Shawnak Shivakumar, Olivia Tantisira, and Caroline Rose

I recently hosted some incredible students behind Menlo-Atherton High School’s Service-Learning Center (SLC), where I presented certificates recognizing their commitment to community and civic engagement. What started as a student-led idea in 2016 has grown into a powerful hub for service with over 30 active clubs tackling everything from food insecurity and environmental justice to refugee support and mentorship. Their Annual Service Day mobilizes the entire school for hands-on community work, followed by meaningful reflection. These students are leading with heart, building real-world skills, and showing us what it means to turn empathy into action. I’m inspired by their leadership—and proud to support the next generation of changemakers.

Pictured here: Senator Becker with CSA Executive Director Tom Myers

Big moment for our community on our newly renovated headquarters for the Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos where I joined local leaders at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated headquarters of the Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos. I secured $1.5 million from the state for their mission to provide safety net services to over 6000 Silicon Valley residents. Thanks to the public-private partnership, including support from the state, federal government, City of Mountain View, and Google, CSA now has a modernized facility to better serve our community. CSA provides critical services to thousands of residents every week—including rental assistance, a food bank, and daily meals for seniors—without using any program funds for the renovation. This upgraded space will help CSA expand its impact and continue delivering the vital support our neighbors rely on.

Our community honored the life and legacy of Emanuel B. "Sam" McDonald, whose work left an indelible mark on Stanford University and the surrounding community. He was part of Stanford’s campus for 50 years, rising to become the superintendent of athletic buildings and grounds, its first black administrator. His legacy includes preserving 430 acres of land near La Honda, which he donated to Stanford University and is now part of San Mateo County’s Sam McDonald Park. Sam McDonald’s life was a powerful example of how one man’s dedication, kindness, and leadership can create lasting change and build a legacy that endures beyond his years.

Pictured here: Senator Becker with Holocaust Survivor Jeannette Rinegold 

I had the solemn honor of rising on the Senate floor to commemorate Yom HaShoah—Holocaust Remembrance Day—and to support a resolution honoring the six million Jews murdered by the Nazi regime. I was especially moved to recognize my constituent Jeannette Rinegold of Menlo Park, who survived the Holocaust as a child in hiding after her parents were deported to Auschwitz. Her courage and resilience remind us why we must never forget. As Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, I spoke about how the Holocaust began—not with violence, but with propaganda, fear, and the dehumanization of others. Today, as antisemitism rises and disinformation spreads, we must confront these threats with truth and unity. Let’s carry forward the stories of survivors and stand firm against hate—in San Mateo County and beyond. Never again must mean never again.

I am authoring a bill that POLITICO has called a “161-page opus . . . that would transform the way utilities finance wildfire mitigation and transmission and discourage rate increases that exceed inflation.” The California Energy Modernization and Affordability Act tackles rising energy costs and puts ratepayers first by modernizing the way we set utility rates. This bill ensures wildfire mitigation funds go where they’re needed most and increases oversight of utility spending to ensure transparency and accountability. We also use public financing to lower long-term costs and streamline clean energy permitting, so we upgrade our utility infrastructure. It’s a bold step toward affordable, reliable, and clean energy for everyone in California. This bill, SB 254, is part of the Senate’s 2025 Affordability Package.

Every year, community leaders from the government, business, labor and education sectors get together in Santa Rosa to network, cross-pollinate ideas, and learn from each other in a fun weekend called Progress Seminar organized by Chamber San Mateo County. This year I was pleased to participate in a panel entitled “Mother Nature is not Happy: A Discussion on Resiliency, Flooding, Fires and Sea Level Rise.” 

Alongside thought leaders Tania Treis, founder of Panorama Environmental, Inc. and Len Materman, CEO of OneShoreline, we tackled the big issues around climate resiliency in San Mateo County, including the estimate that SMC will experience a sea level rise of 55 inches by the year 2100. The bad news is that climate change is here and we have to adapt. The good news is that if we organize regionally, statewide and federally, we can mitigate the looming changes. As a climate leader in the Senate, I’m proud of the work I’ve done on behalf of San Mateo County in this space, and the work my colleagues and I will do together on it as well.

At one of the most unique and inspiring climate events I’ve attended, I had the honor of joining a room full of leaders, educators, advocates, and young people—all united in driving real climate solutions right here in San Mateo County. This wasn’t your typical panel or policy discussion. It was a dynamic, community-driven event that showcased how San Mateo County is leading the way on climate action—despite facing stark realities, like warming at twice the national average due to the loss of our coastal fog.

That’s not just data. It’s a call to action—and this community is answering it. We celebrated major local wins, like the County Office of Education being named one of the top five in California for sustainability, and I shared updates on our work at the state level: from the proposed $10 billion climate bond to my new role as Chair of the Senate Energy Committee, and legislation to lower energy costs, reduce wildfire risk, and expand clean energy. I left deeply inspired—and more committed than ever to partnering with our local climate leaders to protect our region and our planet.

Push to end homelessness in California continues

(San Mateo Daily Journal, May 19, 2025)

Class Notes: Menlo-Atherton High School students honored on California Senate Floor

(San Mateo Daily Journal, May 17, 2025)

Californians would lose AI protections under bill advancing in Congress

(CalMatters, May 16, 2025) 

Farmworker Assistance Bill Patterned After Nonprofit's Work

(KQED, May 16, 2025) 

CSA welcomes community to refurbished headquarters

(Los Altos Town Crier, May 13, 2025) 

Lawmakers raise concerns around wet conditions on 92

(San Mateo Daily Journal, May 13, 2025)

California blocking new housing in this posh Silicon Valley town over wildflowers

(San Francisco Chronicle, May 10, 2025) 

EDD wrestles with computer outage amid unemployment claims backlog

(SiliconValley.com, May 8, 2025) 

California Lawmakers Vote on Energy Affordability Soon

(Legal Planet, May 7, 2025) 

Redwood City's Domini Hoskins Black History Museum celebrates anniversary

(San Mateo Daily Journal, May 6, 2025)

‘More than career development,’ local nonprofit celebrates 60 years in the Peninsula

(Palo Alto Online, May 3, 2025) 

Modernizing Air Permitting in California

Legal Planet, May 2, 2025)

Opinion: Building California’s clean energy future requires partnerships across West

(East Bay Times, April 29, 2025)

Senate launches ‘Investing in Your California Dream’ package

(Oakdale Leader, April 29, 2025)

California Democrats take aim at renter late fees, energy bills with affordability package

(The Mercury News, April 25, 2025)

Oakland police to cut off public from live radio feeds, hiding communications from airwaves

(The Mercury News, April 27, 2025)

Calif. Senate introduces sprawling electricity affordability bill

(E&E News by Politico, April 25, 2025) 

Public officials speak out after OPD seeks to limit access to live radio feeds (Video)

(NBC Bay Area, April 25, 2025) 

Becker’s bill could bring mobile health care to state farmworkers

(San Mateo Daily Journal, April 26, 2025)

Opinion: Building California’s clean energy future requires partnerships across West

(The Mercury News, April 25,2025)

California Democrats will try again to slash high energy bills

(The Mercury News, April 24, 2025)

Bay Area Voice: Keeping California’s lights on will require a major electricity market, partnerships across the West

(Marin Independent Journal, April 24, 2025)

Keeping state’s lights on will require a major electricity market, partnerships across West

(San Mateo Daily Journal, April 23, 2025) 

Calif. Senate Committee Backs Pathways Initiative Bill

(RTO Insider, April 22, 2025)

Josh Becker leads new effort to foster greater economic development and technological innovation

(InMenlo, April 21, 2025) 

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact my office if I can be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Senator Josh Becker
District 13