Building Progress at Home and in Sacramento

Hello, friends,

As we move into summer, our work remains focused on delivering results for the Inland Empire while ensuring our communities have a voice in the decisions that affect their daily lives.

Last month marked an important milestone for my legislative package, with 17 bills advancing to the Assembly for consideration. At the same time, the Legislature entered one of its most consequential periods of the year: budget season. As Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy, I am closely engaged in discussions about California's climate investments and the future of programs that improve air quality, expand housing opportunities, and strengthen public transportation.

Back home, graduation season is in full swing. Across San Bernardino County, students are celebrating years of hard work and achievement, and our office has been honored to join schools and families in recognizing these important milestones.

Finally, we're continuing our efforts to bring state resources and opportunities directly to our communities through a series of free educational webinars for small business owners, job seekers, and residents interested in learning more about available state programs.

Read on to learn more, and thank you, as always, for staying engaged and connected. Together, we continue building a stronger Inland Empire.

Love,

Eloise

Capitol Update: Legislative Package Advances to the Assembly
 

I am pleased to share that all 17 bills in my 2026 legislative package have successfully passed the Senate and are now being considered by the State Assembly.

These proposals reflect the priorities I've heard from residents throughout Senate District 29: strengthening government accountability, protecting workers and consumers, improving public safety, expanding educational opportunity, and ensuring state programs work effectively for the people they serve.

You can learn more about each bill by visiting our Legislation Page.

One proposal receiving significant attention is SB 1414, which would establish an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County.

In 2020, county voters approved Measure J to increase public participation and transparency in the redistricting process. SB 1414 builds upon those reforms by creating a truly independent commission composed of community members rather than elected officials. The principle is simple: voters should choose their representatives—not the other way around.

For additional information, including frequently asked questions and background materials, visit our SB 1414 information page.

State Budget Discussions Continue

The Legislature is now working toward its constitutional deadline of passing a balanced state budget by June 15, with final action by the Governor due by June 30.

As Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy, I am deeply concerned by proposals contained in the Governor's May Revision that would significantly reduce funding available for proven climate and public health programs.

For years, Cap-and-Invest revenues have supported programs that help Californians every day: cleaner public transit, affordable housing near jobs and transportation, community air pollution reduction projects, access to clean water, and investments that improve public health while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Governor's proposal would redirect substantial funding toward a large corporate incentive program for major polluters without clear guarantees that the savings will ultimately reach consumers. Watch the most recent committee hearing on this proposal, where we voted to withhold funding until we have more substantive revenue projections for Cap and Invest. 

As budget negotiations continue, I remain committed to ensuring California's climate investments prioritize public health, environmental justice, and meaningful benefits for working families.

To stay up to date on these bills and my full 2026 Legislative Package, I invite you to visit the Legislation page on our website and follow our progress.

District Update: Celebrating the Class of 2026
 

May and June are always among the busiest—and most rewarding—times of the year for our district team.

This graduation season, our office is on track to deliver more than 9,000 certificates of recognition to graduating high school seniors throughout Senate District 29. We've also had the privilege of attending ceremonies, celebrating student achievements, and recognizing the educators and families who help make these accomplishments possible.

One of my greatest honors this year was delivering the commencement address for the 100th graduation ceremony at San Bernardino Valley College. SBVC has played an important role in my family's story for more than four decades, making this milestone especially meaningful. Here are some photos from that remarkable evening. 

It was also a joy to celebrate one of our own team members, Angel Orozco, who graduated from SBVC with an Associates of Arts degree. Angel has been an outstanding intern in our office, and we look forward to watching him continue his educational journey at Cal Poly Pomona, where he will study Political Science.

We're also celebrating Derek Martinez, who recently earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Derek has been promoted from Intern to District Representative and now serves the communities of Bloomington, Fontana, and Rialto on behalf of our office. We are proud to have him representing Senate District 29.

And congratulations to Prince Ogidikpe, who is earning his Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, San Bernardino.

To all graduates across San Bernardino County: congratulations on your hard work, perseverance, and achievement. We are excited to see what comes next for each of you.

I’d also like to congratulate a long-time public servant of this Inland Empire district, Michael Townsend, who has been promoted from Senior District Representative to Deputy District Coordinator. 

To stay updated on upcoming events, visit my website or follow along on social media: @seneloisereyes

One More Thing: Upcoming Events
 

One of my priorities is ensuring Inland Empire residents have access to the resources, opportunities, and information available through state government. I hope you'll join us for these upcoming virtual events:

State Resources for Small Businesses

Friday, June 12 | 11:00 AM | Virtual Webinar

Join representatives from the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) for an overview of funding opportunities, technical assistance programs, and state resources available to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about programs designed to help businesses start, grow, and thrive.

How to Apply for State Jobs

Tuesday, July 14 | 6:00 PM | Virtual Webinar

Interested in a career with the State of California?

Representatives from CalHR will walk participants through the state hiring process, explain how to navigate job postings and examinations, and share practical tips for submitting a successful application.

Whether you're a recent graduate, considering a career change, or simply exploring opportunities, this webinar is designed to help demystify the process and connect residents with stable, rewarding public service careers.

Visit my website and follow my social media channels (@seneloisereyes) for registration information and additional details on both events.

Thank you for allowing me to serve the communities of Senate District 29. And thank you, as always, for staying engaged and helping build a stronger Inland Empire.