Creating Change - June 2026

June 2026

As we begin summer, I want to thank everyone who joined us at community events, town halls, and celebrations throughout Senate District 13. From Pride Month and Juneteenth to recognizing outstanding students and addressing challenges facing our coastline, it has been a busy and productive month. In Sacramento, I am continuing to advance legislation to protect privacy, expand housing opportunities, strengthen our energy future, and improve quality of life for Californians. 

In the Capitol:

1. Protecting Californians from Wartime Price Gouging
2. Celebrating Excellence on and off the Field
3. Recognizing Healthy Aging and Longevity Specialists
4. Advancing Landmark Housing Reform (RHNA)

In the District:

1. Happy Pride Month!
2. Celebrating Juneteenth
3. Responding to the Pacifica Pier Situation
4. Non Profit of the Year
5. Community Highlight - SD 13 District Interns
6. Opportunity for Energy Savings

In the Capitol

Senators Becker and Allen along with Environmental Groups, Consumer Advocates, and impacted students in support of SB 493.

California has some of the strongest anti-price gouging laws in the nation, but current law does not explicitly recognize war or armed conflict as qualifying emergencies that would trigger these protections. The war with Iran has had real consequences for California families. Since the conflict began, Americans have paid an estimated $62 billion more for gas and diesel, driving up costs for consumers already struggling with housing, food, and everyday expenses. That's why I introduced the Wartime Price Gouging Prevention Act (SB 493), which allows California to activate existing price gouging protections during wartime emergencies and investigate and prosecute unlawful price gouging. Californians deserve the same consumer protections during wartime emergencies that they already have during wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters.
 

Senator Becker and CIF Student Athlete of the Year Ryan Liu on the Senator Floor. 

I recognized a remarkable student from Senate District 13, Ryan Liu, from Burlingame High School, who was recently named a California Interscholastic Federation Student Athlete of the Year. This prestigious honor recognizes not only athletic achievement, but also excellence in the classroom, leadership, character, and service to the community. Our student-athletes represent the very best of California, demonstrating dedication and a commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Senate District 13 is proud of you!

Senator Becker with Professor Sean Curran, Vice Dean, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology; Remy Gross, Executive Vice President of Administration at the Buck Institute; Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D.; Dylan Livingston, President of the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives; Sonia Arrison, Chair of the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives; and Joon Yun, M.D., Creator of the $1 Million Palo Alto Longevity Prize.

This month, I presented SR 104 with researchers, health care leaders, and advocates to recognize California's leadership in longevity science and healthy aging. As Californians live longer lives, we have an opportunity to invest in research, innovation, and preventative care that help people stay healthier, more independent, and more connected to their communities as they age. California leads the way with experts in aging and longevity research. Supporting these efforts improves quality of life, reduces health care costs, and helps more people thrive well into their later years.

Senator Becker presenting SB 457 in the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.

This year, I’m making significant progress on helping improve California's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process and ensure housing goals are realistic and achievable for our local communities. California needs a housing planning process that is data-driven and reflects real-world conditions on the ground. SB 457 improves how housing targets are developed and implemented, while ensuring communities have the tools they need to plan for growth and meet their housing obligations. It is one of the most impactful RHNA reforms in modern times, and I am working to get it passed.

In the District

Senator Becker speaking at Palo Alto’s Pride Celebration (right) and dance group Folclorico Colibri (left).

This Pride Month, I was honored to join celebrations across Senate District 13, including Mountain View Pride and the first-ever Palo Alto Pride. It was inspiring to see thousands of people come together to celebrate identity, community, and the right of every person to live openly and authentically. The turnout was incredible, and it was a wonderful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and the countless individuals whose courage and contributions make our communities stronger and more welcoming.

Each Juneteenth, we commemorate the final emancipation of enslaved African Americans and reflect on one of the most important milestones in our nation's pursuit of freedom and equality. We celebrate the resilience, achievement, and contributions of Black Americans and remember that freedom and justice have never come easily. Generations of Americans have fought to build a more perfect union. I attended several Juneteenth celebrations, including one at the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center.

Like many residents, I was saddened by the closure of the Pacifica Pier and the disruption it caused to the local community. The pier is more than a place to fish. It's a community gathering place, a local landmark, and an important part of Pacifica's identity. As Chair of the Bay Area Caucus and Chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, I’ll continue to fight for funding for coastal resilience projects across the region, including support for the Pacifica Pier. This incident demonstrates that investing in our coastline is a down payment on protecting the communities and public spaces we cherish. I’m working with Cal OES and local leaders to help Pacifica recover and ensure our coast remains strong for generations to come. 

In May, I was honored to recognize the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition (LGARC) as the Nonprofit of the Year from District 13. LGARC representatives Jeff Suzuki, the organization’s founder and president, and Nigel Chandler, the organization’s vice chair, were celebrated at the annual Nonprofit of the Year Luncheon in Sacramento.

LGARC works to advance an affordable, inclusive Los Gatos for people of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds through direct assistance, advocacy and activism, and anti-racist education. As of January, they have provided over $70,000 in rental assistance to more than 100 households through their entirely volunteer-run rental assistance program. Check out their work at lgarc.org!
 

This month, I welcomed a cohort of 15 high school and college students to my district office as part of our seasonal intern program. We were thrilled to receive more than 100 applications, a testament to the incredible interest young people have in public service. Our summer cohort is already hard at work, assisting with essential constituent services, supporting community events, and taking on an ambitious research project creating in-depth profiles for every city in Senate District 13. I’m grateful to have such a talented and dedicated group of young leaders contributing to both our office and our community this summer, and I look forward to sharing more about their work in the months ahead!
 

The cost of living in the Bay Area continues to rise, and many are struggling. Prices for rent, gas, groceries, and utilities are too high for many families to comfortably afford. In tandem with my legislative efforts to tackle this affordability crisis, I am highlighting opportunities for rebates, discounts, and financial assistance for energy and utilities here in my district.

State funding I helped secure is putting free electric appliances in Menlo Park homes. Through a partnership between the City and WestLight Energy (formerly known as Peninsula Clean Energy), qualifying residents can receive:

• Free replacement of gas appliances with modern electric ones (this includes upgrading your water heater, HVAC system, clothes dryer, and gas cooktop)
• Free professional installation
• Cleaner indoor air and lower energy costs

For those who are not income-eligible for these no-cost upgrades, the City will match PCE’s rebates for heat pump water heaters, HVAC systems, and electrical panel upgrades up to $1,500. I heartily encourage constituents of other cities to look into the options for financial assistance offered by their CCAs and utility providers.

State Sen. Josh Becker unveils "Wartime Price Gouging Prevention Act"

(KCRA 3, June 28, 2026)

San Mateo County to get $77M in state budget deal

(San Mateo Daily Journal, June 13, 2026)

Rep. Sam Liccardo, elected leaders urge federal and state support to repair California’s Pacifica Pier

(The Mercury News, June 15, 2026)

El Niño turns crumbling California pier into climate battleground over what to save — and who pays 

(Los Angeles Times, June 16, 2026)

Hundreds turn out for Palo Alto’s first Pride event

(Palo Alto Online, June 7, 2026)

Pacifica pier shuts down due to unsafe conditions (video)

(KRON 4, June 4, 2026) 

Senate unanimously passes Becker privacy bill strengthening Californians’ right to delete personal data

(InMenlo, May 27, 2026)

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my district office at (650) 233-2724 if I can be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,
Senator Josh Becker