Senator Josh Becker’s September ’21 Newsletter

Legislative Wrap-Up

I learned so much during my first legislative session, which ended September 10th. In all, my team and I were able to send 7 bills to the Governor’s desk for signature (with one already signed!) and pass one Senate Resolution.

Together, these bills advance our state’s efforts--and my priorities--to fight climate change, instill a more equal justice system, and increase opportunities for economic mobility.

These bills include SB 68, which will make it easier for owners to convert their property into electricity-powered homes and buildings and SB 596, which will create a strategy to achieve net-zero emission cement (a major source of greenhouse gases, accounting for about 7% of global CO2 emissions!) by 2045.

They also include SB 779, which will expand “earn and learn” opportunities for veterans, the unhoused, people exiting the justice system, and other vulnerable jobseekers who face barriers to joining the workforce. “Earn and learn” programs provide job training and employment during the training period.

And finally, we passed SB 775, an important criminal justice measure.

But these are just a handful of the bills we passed this year. You can read all of my bills here.

I’m already looking forward to the progress we can continue when we return to session in 2022.

Climate Change Leadership Updates

I’m sure you will agree with me that climate change is one of the biggest crises facing our planet. 

This is why I am so honored to have earned a key leadership role as chair of the newly formed Senate Subcommittee on the Clean Energy Future, while concurrently serving as Vice Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Climate Change Policies. My subcommittee will exist as a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications, and will focus on accelerating the transition of our electrical grid to clean energy! You can learn more about the new subcommittee here.

I also want to make sure you know about my new Getting to Zero blog, debuted last month. Visit the blog to see my ideas and thoughts on what's possible and what needs to happen to get to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. You can read the blog here. 

Lastly, our district office is in search of young climate leaders to be part of our first cohort of the new Youth Climate Action Bootcamp. We are looking for SD 13 residents between the ages of 14-21 who would like to be part of a hands-on program that will examine major issues like climate justice and equity, hear from local environmental speakers and help conduct research for potential legislation. If you know of a young person who may be a good candidate, please reach out to Senate Fellow Lindsay Ehrenpreis at lindsay.ehrenpreis@sen.ca.gov.

Closing the Digital Divide

Last week I co-authored an op-ed in the Mercury News with my colleague Sen. Lena Gonzalez detailing the opportunity at hand to finally make headway on closing the digital divide. We also discuss the bill we authored to update California’s only broadband infrastructure subsidy program to provide grants for local governments and nonprofits to build fiber networks in California’s unserved and underserved areas - a much needed reform. The bill now awaits Gov. Newsom’s signature.

Read our piece here.

COVID-19 Rental, Utilities Payment Assistance Available

The State's eviction moratorium has protected Californians from evictions due to lost income. This moratorium is scheduled to end on September 30th, but those who have applied for federal rental assistance cannot be evicted for six months.

If you are behind on your rent, the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program provides financial assistance for income eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19 and have past due rent, aid is available for unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020.

Assistance is also available for unpaid utility payments dating back to April 1, 2020, or for future utility payments, which will both be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months, and paid directly to the utility provider.

To find out if you are eligible and to apply, visit HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122. In-language assistance, as well as help with eligibility requirements or filling out an application, can be obtained by scheduling an appointment with a local organization near you by calling 833-687-0967.

Golden State Stimulus II

Payments of $600 checks, part 2 of the Golden State Stimulus, started going out to qualifying individuals and families the first week of September. Keep an eye out on your bank accounts or your mailbox. To learn more about the Golden State Stimulus, please click here.
 

District Updates

Bistro Vida of Menlo Park is our Small Business of the Year for the 13th Senate District in a ceremony organized by CA Small Business Association. I was thrilled to recognize Bistro Vida’s owner Ali El Safy for his efforts to keep as many employees on staff as possible during the pandemic while working hard to maintain a sense of community through outdoor music and dancing in their parklet in downtown Menlo Park. You can find out more about Bistro Vida here. 

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.