Creating Change May 2024 |
ACTION ON MENTAL HEALTH
Pictured here: Governor Newsom and Senator Becker
I joined Governor Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Ray Mueller, and other officials to announce a new initiative to transform California’s mental health system and homelessness strategy. We are accelerating funding for mental health and housing from the voter-approved Proposition 1. I am proud that San Mateo County is taking proactive steps to address the crisis. The $155 million renovation of the Cordilleras Mental Health Campus will provide state-of-the-art housing and rehabilitation centers for individuals with mental illness. San Mateo County is also going to be an early adopter of CARE Court, a program that delivers behavioral health services to the most severely ill and vulnerable individuals, while preventing more restrictive conservatorships or incarceration. We know we must move more urgently to solve the homelessness crisis. This includes interim housing solutions, like my Interim Housing Act (SB 1394) and helping those with a serious mental illness. See my Mental Health and Homelessness Strategy Roadmap here. And the Counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara are leading. That’s why the Governor came this week to the site of a behavioral health facility in San Mateo.
Legislative Update |
I am proud to report that a remarkable 16 out of 16 bills advanced from policy committees and are making their way through the legislative process. As Bay Area Caucus Chair, I’m fighting for policies that address wildfires and insurance availability, artificial intelligence and privacy, and clean energy. Here are some of my bills that are advancing.
- SB 1060 - The FIRE Act incentivizes insurance companies to factor in efforts to reduce wildfire risk in underwriting models in order to increase insurance availability and reward homeowners who try to protect their homes.
- SB 1374 - Allows schools, farms, and businesses to consume electricity that they self-generate, thus potentially reducing their energy costs by 400%.
- SB 1288 - Creates a working group to recommend best practices for incorporating AI instruction in our education system.
- SB 1395 - Gives local jurisdictions a new tool in addressing homelessness by accelerating the planning, permitting, and construction of interim housing to get people housed faster, thus saving lives.
- SB 942 - The California AI Transparency Act requires identifiers on AI generated content so consumers can tell if it is AI.
- SB 1018 - These companion bills reduce greenhouse gas emissions by expanding green hydrogen.
For a full list of my 2024 legislation, please visit my website here.
RETAIL THEFT TOWN HALL
Pictured here: Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, President & CEO of California Retailers Association, Rachel Michelin San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus
On May 7, I hosted a virtual town hall on retail theft and fentanyl. Retail theft is obviously a big issue for the Bay Area, impacting so many people and businesses and the quality of life in our community. I have been working with my colleagues in the Senate on legislation targeting retail theft and fentanyl. I was joined by Sheriff Christina Corpus, District Attorney Jeff Rosen, Senator Aisha Wahab, and Rachel Michelin from the California Retailers Association. You can watch the full town hall event here.
INSURANCE TOWN HALL IN HILLSBOROUGH
Last month, I participated in a town hall in Hillsborough to discuss the state of the insurance crisis that is impacting our community as a result of extreme wildfire risk. I was joined by other experts to discuss what the state is doing to help with insurance availability. I spoke about the FIRE Act, which incentivizes insurance companies to take into account efforts to reduce wildfire risk (like creating defensible spaces, forest management, and home hardening). California spends billions of dollars on wildfire risk mitigation, not including the money that is spent by communities and individuals. Insurance companies should make that a factor when writing policies.
YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION AT THE SENATE
Pictured here with Senator Becker: Honoree Leah Fenster Williams-Wells and daughter Wendy Brackett
May 5 was Yom Hashoah, which is the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day where we remember the more than 6 million Jewish men, women and children that were systematically exterminated by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, effectively wiping out 60% of the global Jewish population. To commemorate Yom Hashoah, the Senate, in coordination with the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, honored survivors, descendents and leaders whose dedication to honoring the victims of the Holocaust serves as an inspiration to us all. It was deeply moving to spend time with our honorees and special guests, including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Superintendent Tony Thurmond. I was especially grateful to honor a holocaust survivor from District 13, Leah Fenster Williams-Wells, and spend time with four generations of her family who accompanied her.
Around the Peninsula |
Pictured here on the right: Legislators and Members of Congress joining Caltrain officials
To commemorate the 160th anniversary of Caltrain, I joined other elected representatives and community leaders to highlight Caltrain’s Electrification transformation, which will enable Caltrain to become cleaner, faster, more efficient, and more equitable for our region’s commutters. Caltrain Electrification will improve system performance, reduce noise, improve regional air quality, and increase service while reducing travel times.
SENATE DISTRICT 13’S NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT: LUTTICKIN’S
Pictured here: Senator Becker and Owner Bob Lutticken.
I’m thrilled to recognize Lutticken’s Deli & After 5 Restaurant as Senate District 13’s 2024 Small Business of the Year. Luttickens has been a fixture of our community for over 40 years and has distinguished itself with a long history of volunteerism and supporting the community, whether it is donating food to local veterans, sponsoring local sports teams, feeding homeless and hungry people, or providing assistance to those in need during the COVID 19 Pandemic. Congratulations to Bob Lutticken and all the wonderful staff who make Lutticken’s such an important establishment for everyone.
JIGAR SHAH VISIT
Pictured here: Representatives of Stanford Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy, Senator Becker, Director Shah, and DOE Senior Advisor Arnab Pal
I recently hosted the U.S. Department of Energy’s Director of Loan Programs Office, Jigar Shah, on a visit to Sacramento and Stanford to discuss how our state can maximize opportunities for California businesses that are developing emerging technologies to address our climate challenges. I also chaired a round table discussion with legislators and consultants, organized meetings with stakeholders and state agency officials, and participated in a conversation at Stanford University on how the U.S. can achieve a clean energy revolution.
BIG CHECK PRESENTATION TO THE OSHMAN FAMILY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Pictured here: Lara Walklet, LEAP Program Manager and PREP Program Manager; Luba Palant, Senior Director: Culture, Learning, Community; Assebmlymember Marc Berman, Senator Josh Becker; Zack Bodner, OFJCC President/Chief Executive Officer; Sally Flinchbaugh, OFJCC Chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President Maya Ben Tov, PREP Program Coordinator
Assemblymember Marc Berman and I presented a symbolic check in the amount of $300,000 to the Oshman Family JCC's PREP Fellowship Program. This fellowship focuses on three main areas: wellness, living peacefully in community, and identity in the face of adversity. It teaches high school students of every background the skills to transition to adulthood and prepare them to navigate future challenges on college campuses or in other future endeavors, particularly when students are at risk of being discriminated against. I’m proud to have been able to secure these funds to jumpstart this important program.
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS FELLOWS APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
The 2024-25 California Climate Action Corps Fellowship applications are now open for anyone who is passionate about climate. This fellowship is an 11 month program where participants work with public agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and schools to engage communities in climate action and education. If you are interested in applying, please visit their website here.
DID YOU KNOW?
Scams that target people who pay bridge tolls through FasTrak are not new in the Bay Area, but scammers are getting more and more sophisticated, and it’s important to be extra vigilant. A new way to steal your personal banking information involves fake text messages that appear to be from FasTrak telling you that you owe a payment. Do not click on any links that are in these text messages. FasTrak will never contact you via text message. You should only conduct your business at bayareafastrak.org or at 877-BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655). If you think you have been scammed, or if you see unusual charges on your banking statements, call your financial institution as soon as possible.
In the News |
Half Moon Bay Farmworker Housing Plan Reluctantly OK’d After Newsom’s Criticism
(SF Chronicle, May 15, 2024)
California Governor Chides Some Cities, Counties For Failing To Address Housing Crisis
(Courthouse News, May 14, 2024)
Proposed California Law to Protect Neurorights?
(The Beacon, May 14, 2024)
BGCP students from East Palo Alto and Redwood City visit State Capitol
(RC Pulse, May 14, 2024)
Political pressure mounting for Half Moon Bay to build housing for retired farmworkers
(CBS News, May 13, 2024)
Column: Newsom’s appointees should stop delaying this great climate solution
(LA Times, May 9, 2024)
California schools can’t keep pace with utility bills. Solar energy offers a needed lifeline
(CalMatters, May 7, 2024)
State Sen. Josh Becker names Lutticken’s Deli & After 5 Restaurant Small Business of the Year
(The Almanac, May 6, 2024)
Lutticken’s Deli & After 5 Restaurant named Senate District 13’s Small Business of the Year
(InMenlo, May 5, 2024)
Why this Jewish teen program in Palo Alto leaned into antisemitism post Oct. 7
(JWeekly, May 3, 2024)
Insurers Pressured to Account for California’s Wildfire Spending
(Bloomberg Law, May 2, 2024)
Californians are protecting themselves from wildfire. Why is there still an insurance crisis?
(CalMatters, May 1, 2024)
Hillsborough teen organizes Fentanyl Awareness Day
(KTVU, April 28, 2024)
Worried About Data Brokers in California? Here’s How to Protect Yourself Online | KQED
(KQED, April 24, 2024)
Measure addressing California fire insurance crisis advances in Senate
(CBS 13, April 24, 2024)
California wildfire bill may enhance homeowners insurance protections
(KCRC, April 22, 2024)
In Depth: AI, Nudes, and TikTok
(FOX 11 LA:”News in Depth”, April 19, 2024)
California State Senator Introduces New Bill for Homeowner Insurance Coverage
(KSRO, April 18, 2024)
And as always, if I can be of assistance to you, please reach out to my office at (650) 233-2724.
Sincerely,
Josh Becker
Senator, (D-Menlo Park)