Creating Change

December 23, 2025

December 2025

Happy Holidays and warm wishes for the New Year! Here’s to a bright year ahead. Let’s keep building a better future in 2026! In this edition of Creating Change – December 2025, I’m excited to share updates from a busy end of the year, including:

Expanding Digital Access to East Palo Alto Students
Making Free College Permanent in San Mateo County
Standing Against Hate: Community Responds to Antisemitic Incident at Local High School
Celebrating the Passage of the Farmworker Health Hub
A Transformative Day of Volunteer Mentorship at Soledad
Discussion on Lessons Learned from COP30
And more….

EXPANDING DIGITAL ACCESS TO EAST PALO ALTO STUDENTS

Senator Becker and AT&T President Susan Santana handing out free laptops to students.

Too many students in our community are still forced to do homework without a computer, apply for jobs on a phone, or fall behind simply because they don’t have the tools they need. That’s why my office along with AT&T, StreetCode Academy, and Human-I-T distributed 200 laptops to local students and families in East Palo Alto. This program bridges the digital gap by putting laptops into the hands of families who need them most, helping students complete schoolwork, apply to college, explore careers, access healthcare, and stay connected in today’s digital world. California’s digital divide remains real and persistent. An estimated 8% of households lack internet access or connected devices, and more than 40% of low-income households lack full digital access needed for education.

MAKING FREE COLLEGE IN SAN MATEO COUNTY PERMANENT

Pictured here: Senator Becker, Cañada College President Kim Lopez, SMCCCD Chancellor Melissa Moreno, College of San Mateo President Dr. Manuel Alejandro Pérez, Skyline College President Dr. Nathan Carter, and SMCCCD Trustee John Pimental.

We know that one of the biggest roadblocks to higher education is the cost, but through a program I pioneered with the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD), nearly all 30,000 SMCCCD students can attend college tuition-free, with additional support for books, technology, and transportation for those with demonstrated need. Increasing use of all of our fantastic community colleges including Foothill-DeAnza and West Valley-Mission is a priority of mine.

Silicon Valley is known for innovating and then scaling, and in 2022, I did just that by partnering with SMCCCD on a bold idea: the Free Community College Pilot Program (SB 893).

The results have been extraordinary. More than 35,000 students have benefitted so far, enrollment is up 24 % when the rest of the state was trending downward, and we continue to hear incredible stories from students whose lives have been transformed by this opportunity. This success has inspired West Valley to soon pilot its own Free Community College as well.

During my recent virtual town hall, one of the college presidents described the program as carrying “the significance of a social justice movement,” a sentiment that reflects just how impactful this initiative has become for working families and first-generation students and across our region. That’s why I’m excited to share that we’re now taking the next step: I will be moving to make Free College permanent next year. You can watch the full town hall here.

STANDING AGAINST HATE: COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO ANTISEMITIC INCIDENT AT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL

As a parent of two children who attended public schools in my district, I care deeply about the safety and well-being of every student. Every young person deserves to learn in an environment free from hate, fear, and bigotry.

Yet earlier this month, an unfathomably hateful incident in the Campbell Union High School District left many families shaken. Students photographed themselves forming a swastika, and one of them posted a quote from Hitler calling for “the annihilation of the Jewish race,” and shared it on social media. It turns out that many of the students in the photo were shockingly unaware of the impact the Nazi symbol would have on the school and the community. I want to thank the school’s principal for her swift and effective handling of this incident and the students who subsequently rallied against hate.

However, this incident is not isolated. It reflects a deeply troubling pattern across California. In recent years, our local schools have seen a surge in antisemitic behavior: an instructor ‘joking’ about “how many Jews fit in an ashtray,” a teacher telling students there are “too many Jews,” hateful graffiti targeting Jewish classmates, and curricula depicting Jewish people as puppetmasters. It’s clear now that antisemitism is a learned behavior. Astoundingly, while only 4% of Americans over the age of 50 have a negative opinion about Jews, numerous studies show that 6 times as many, or 25% of Americans under 25, have a negative opinion about Jews. According to the Anti-Defamation League, our state has experienced a 623% rise in antisemitic incidents in schools over the last decade. And although Jewish Californians make up just 3% of the population, they are the target of 75% of all religiously motivated hate crimes.

Incidents like these are exactly why we unanimously passed AB 715. The law establishes a new Office of Civil Rights within the California Department of Education, ensuring that schools have clear, consistent, statewide support to address hate incidents swiftly and appropriately. All students should feel safe and protected attending public schools. AB 715, and its companion legislation, create specialized coordinators, including a statewide antisemitism coordinator, who will work directly with districts to strengthen training, track incidents, enforce civil rights protections, and help schools intervene before hate escalates into harm. Together, these measures ensure that when any form of hate appears in our schools, California will have the tools, expertise, and accountability needed to respond decisively and protect every student.

CELEBRATING THE PASSAGE OF THE FARMWORKER VIRTUAL HEALTH HUB PROGRAM

The passage of my mobile health for farmworkers bill, SB 338, was cause for celebration with Life Sciences Cares Bay Area and Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS), who submitted the idea to my Oughta Be A Law contest. The bill authorizes a privately funded pilot program to create health hubs for rural farmworkers, improving access to mental health, telehealth, and community based care.

It builds on the success of the ALAS Farmworker Equity Express, a mobile clinic that rotates among farms in San Mateo County during afternoons and evenings when workers are available. The pilot will use advanced telehealth technology and trained medical staff to provide accessible care directly in the fields. Bringing care to farmworkers instead of asking them to travel long distances or miss work can change lives. Nearly half of all U.S. farmworkers live here in California, many in remote areas where basic healthcare is out of reach. This is a proud moment, and it’s only the beginning of what communities can accomplish together.

MY TAKEAWAYS FROM COP30 CLIMATE CONFERENCE

Upon returning from COP30, I addressed a panel of experts at The Climate Center to discuss how California can keep pushing toward a cleaner, greener future. One message from COP30 was unmistakable: at a time when the federal government has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Accords, California is stepping up and leading. It was clear just how vital our state’s leadership is, especially now. Across the globe, governments, scientists, activists, and Indigenous leaders are advancing bold climate solutions.

One of the takeaways was a much stronger understanding of what the Amazon rainforest means to the climate health of the planet – and California. Part of that was gained through the experience I had with indigenous tribes and indigenous leaders at COP. The Amazon rainforest spans across nine countries and is bigger than the continental US. I had the incredible experience of being part of a flotilla of 200 boats meeting indigenous leaders who had caravanned to COP. I’d like to share a glimpse of that experience with you in the video here.

A TRANSFORMATIVE DAY OF VOLUNTEER MENTORSHIP AT SOLEDAD WITH DEFY VENTURES

Pictured here: Senator Becker and 24 entrepreneurs participate in a volunteer mentorship day at Soledad Correctional Training Facility.

This month marked my third volunteer mentorship day with Defy Ventures in state prisons, and each time I go, the experience is even more powerful. This year, I put out a call for entrepreneurs and community members who were willing to spend a full day supporting people preparing for reintegration into society. The response was incredible. I rented a bus and twenty-five volunteers stepped forward and joined me for what became an extraordinary experience of interviews, mentorship, and honest conversations. Watching a group of people come together so openly and generously for this work was deeply inspiring.

Inside the facility, we saw the value of evidence-based practices in action. California has reduced its prison population by nearly 50 percent since its peak, while violent crime is less than half of what it was in the early 1990s. Programs like Defy are a critical part of that progress. Defy runs a 10-month CEO of Your New Life training program, and an astounding 90% of participants who complete the program are not reincarcerated. Seeing this with our own eyes was a reminder that when we support people on their path back to society, everyone benefits. That’s why I led a successful fight in the Senate this year for funding for the most evidence-based, successful rehabilitative in-prison programming.

What stays with me most are the stories we heard from participants in the program. They talked about the changes they’re working toward, the families they hope to reunite with and the futures and businesses they aspire to build when they return home. For many, the ability to stay connected to family is what keeps them grounded and motivated. That’s why I authored the law guaranteeing free prison phone calls. Dozens of people came up to thank me. One shared that he had gone a decade without speaking to his family because the cost of a simple phone call would have pushed his loved ones into debt. Before my bill, this wasn’t unusual. Nearly one-third of families went into debt paying for prison calls at a time when most of us can dial across the globe for free. I’ve also worked on additional reforms to strengthen re-entry, because real rehabilitation requires real support.

Those who came with me will tell you this is a truly transformative experience. Find a program to volunteer with like Defy or go to a GRIP graduation. You will be moved!

CALTRAIN NAMED FASTEST-GROWING TRANSIT AGENCY!

Caltrain just surpassed a major milestone by increasing its ridership by an extraordinary 56%, earning the number one spot nationwide among agencies with 3 to 15 million annual trips. It’s building a cleaner, quieter, faster, and more reliable transportation network for the communities we serve. And the momentum is only accelerating. Ridership surged more than 40% in early 2025. Weekend service has doubled, on-time performance has improved, and reliable onboard Wi-Fi makes the rider experience even more enjoyable. In fact, customer satisfaction has climbed to 93%, and 80% of voters support Caltrain. These smart public investments and climate-friendly transit solutions showcase how modern, reliable rail service can expand opportunity, cut emissions, and improve quality of life for millions across the region.

COMMUNITY RALLIES TO SUPPORT LOS GATOS COFFEE SHOP

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, our community was shaken when a speeding vehicle crashed into a local coffee shop, causing extensive damage to the café and forcing an unexpected closure during one of the most important times of the year for local businesses. Thankfully, nobody was injured. In true Los Gatos fashion, the community came together immediately and raised nearly $40,000 to help the shop recover and, most importantly, to support the baristas and staff whose jobs and income were suddenly put at risk. I can’t wait to enjoy a cup of their outstanding coffee now that their doors are back open.

APPLY SOON!! DEADLINE FOR TRADES INTRODUCTION PROGRAM APPROACHING

The building and construction trades are a fantastic pathway to good jobs and a fulfilling career. The Trades Introduction Program (TIP) in San Mateo County prepares you for a career in the Trades. I was fortunate to be able to secure some funding for it when we had state budget surpluses. TIP offers a certificated, apprenticeship-readiness course with evening classes designed to help build skills, earn industry certifications, and prepare for “earn-while-you-learn” opportunities. Supportive services are available for eligible participants. Mandatory orientation classes are scheduled throughout January 2026. You can learn more about this great program at smcuca.org.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMMERS

Privacy rights and consumer protection have been a big focus of my legislation. With the widespread use of AI in today’s world, common scams through text messages, phone calls, emails, and even social media are becoming more convincing to the average person, and we need to adapt to these new circumstances. Here are some tips for protecting yourself and your loved ones:

Create a plan with your loved ones to communicate a genuine request, such as through the use of a password or a specific gesture in a photo.
Don’t answer calls from blocked or unknown numbers. Use caller ID.
Avoid clicking on links or responding to unknown emails.
Limit the personal information that you share online or by text or phone.
Don’t accept social media friend requests from strangers.
Learn how AI models communicate or generate photos.
Only use trusted websites and secure payment methods.

Keep an eye out for future Scam Stopper events hosted by my District Office to learn more!