Creating Change April 2024 Edition

HOUSING FOR OUR INDISPENSABLE TEACHERS ON THE PENINSULA

Last month, I hosted a virtual town hall on a critical issue/solution – building teacher housing on the Peninsula. We are having trouble recruiting and retaining great teachers because of the high cost of housing. I was joined at the town hall by several community leaders who have built, are building, or planning teacher housing (please see photo below). 

We need to pay teachers more, but no matter how much we pay them, housing is always going to be a challenge in high-cost areas. It is exciting to see that dedicated teachers and staff housing is no longer just an idea but a reality, including the highly successful 122 units that are up and running in the Jefferson Union High School District for teachers and staff. In the town hall we also discussed how we are prioritizing units for county and agency staff in recent affordable housing developments. You can watch the town hall here.

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WOMEN OF THE YEAR

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Pictured here from left to right: Coach Tara VanDerveer, Executive Director and President Millicent Grant, and Senator Becker. 

The month of March was Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme celebrated “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” I couldn’t think of two women in my district who epitomize this understanding more than Stanford Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tara VanDerveer, the winningest coach of all time, and East Palo Alto Senior Center Executive Director and President, Millicent Grant. 

The work these two women do could not be more different. One involves the very public and competitive sphere of NCAA women’s basketball. The other involves caring for seniors within the private and comforting walls of the East Palo Alto Senior Center. Despite differences, these women share a number of common characteristics: determination, persistence, the ability to overcome obstacles, and standing up for others. It was truly an honor to recognize them as the 2024 Women of the Year for Senate District 13. 

I want to especially congratulate Coach Tara VanDerveer on her well deserved retirement this year. Stanford will not be the same without her. 
 

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH

The month of April is Autism Acceptance Month, where we renew our commitment to spread awareness and understanding about autism, celebrate differences and empower everyone in the autism community and their loved ones. We must continue to create a world of acceptance and kindness for every individual. This month is particularly meaningful to me because I am blessed to have a loved one who is part of the autism community, and I want a world that is full of beauty with the same opportunities available for those with autism as anyone else. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

My 2024 legislative package is currently moving through the committee process. Here are some of my bills that I would like to highlight for this year.

Wildfires, Environment and Clean Energy

  • SB 1060 - The FIRE Act lowers insurance costs by rewading homes and regions that take steps to lower wildfire risks. 
  • SB 1206 - Incentivizes the creation of a battery manufacturing hub in the Bay Area

Artificial Intelligence and Consumer Protection

  • SB 942 - The California Artificial Intelligence Transparency Act helps consumers identify AI generated content
  • SB 1120 - The Physicians Make Decisions Act bans AI from deciding medical treatments
  • SB 1288 - Creates a work group on how to best incorporate AI in Education
  • SB 1223 - Protects neurodata from being used unethically
  • SB 935 - Bans AI-generated revenge porn

Housing and Justice

  • SB 1395 - The Interim Housing Act gets unhoused individuals housed faster
  • SB 1095 - The Cozy Homes Cleanup Act
  • SB 1161 - The Juvenile Justice Modernization Act

For a full list of legislation, and to track the progress of my bills, please visit my website. 
 

SENATE DELEGATION TO JAPAN

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Pictured Here: Governor of Hiroshima Hidehiko Yuzaki who is a Stanford University Business School graduate and Senator Becker. 

This month, I was invited by the Government of Japan to join an official Senate Delegation to strengthen the relationship between Japan and California. Japan and California share a unique and productive relationship based on trade, business and economic investment, cultural and academic exchanges, and friendship. Our unique position along the Pacific Ocean makes California the first stop for many Japanese tourists, exchange students, and immigrants. 

Our delegation met with our legislative counterparts in the House of Representatives of the National Diet to discuss transportation, seismic safety, clean energy, climate change and human rights. United States Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emmanuel, was gracious with his time and met with us to talk about the US-Japan relationship.

We also discussed jointly launching a new Japan-California forum in June, which will further enhance the relationship between our two regions. 
 

GOVERNOR’S REPORT ON COMBATING ANTISEMITISM 

Since October 7, there has been a tremendous surge in hate and antisemitic acts throughout the world and here at home. I have been working with the Governor to confront hate against all communities, including Islamophobia and Antisemitism. This month, the Governor released “The Golden State Plan Combating Antisemitism,” which outlines the state’s efforts to counter antisemitism. This is a necessary step, and as the Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, I will continue to fight antisemitism in our schools and universities, in town halls, and everywhere else it appears. I encourage you to read the report here.
 

SUSTAINABLE SAN MATEO COUNTY’S 25TH ANNUAL AWARDS CELEBRATION AND AUCTION

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I was proud to emcee the Sustainable San Mateo County’s 25th Annual Awards Celebration. Being in this room and seeing the dedication, innovation, and passion is truly inspiring. For 32 years, SSMC has been a beacon of hope and progress in our community, championing sustainability and recognizing the interconnectedness of our environment, the economy, and social equity. We should never underestimate the impact one person can have. At the awards ceremony, we were reminded of the extraordinary things that one person or a small group can accomplish. From demonstrations that we can green our homes and buildings inexpensively and live in comfort, to a grocery store that has eliminated single use plastics!
 

HILLSBOROUGH MEETING ON HOMEOWNER INSURANCE

On April 25, I will take part in an in-person town hall in Hillsborough to discuss the state’s on-going actions to address the homeowner insurance crisis. We are facing an unprecedented crisis of home insurance cost and availability, and I am working to ensure availability and reduce rates. You can find more information on this town hall here.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that 30% of University of California students transferred from a community college? California’s community college system provides an invaluable pathway for Californians to achieve their educational potential, including a path to the UC or CSU systems. In fact, the UC system is creating a stronger pipeline for community college students to easily transfer to a UC campus. 

Did you know that April is Earthquake Preparedness Month? California has life-saving resources available to everyone and a first-in-the-nation Earthquake Early Warning System. You can download apps to your mobile device that will alert you of an earthquake and give you precious seconds to prepare. To download the app right for you, visit: https://earthquake.ca.gov/get-alerts/. 
 

JOSH BECKER IN THE NEWS

And as always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of assistance to you. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Josh Becker
Senator, 13th District