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Dear Friend and Neighbor,
Happy 2022! After ringing in the New Year, the world continues traveling at full speed. There’s a crispness in the air that can be felt only with a new dawn. Last year’s mistakes and mishaps have given way to this year’s lessons and resolutions. California districts have been redrawn and a new legislative session is fast upon us.
While celebration is appropriate, disregarding the impact of the past year on our lives would be irresponsible. The adage of “in with the new, out with the old” is harder to apply during a time in which another COVID-19 variant is surging anew, infections are once again rampant, and hospitalizations are increasing. As a community, we should continue taking all of the actions that we can – whether through masking, socially distancing, testing or getting vaccinations and boosters. This is all, I imagine, frustratingly familiar and an unfortunate reminder that every time we feel like we’re done with COVID, it sadly makes clear that it’s not done with us. Serving as your elected representative, I’m continually aware of my role in making sure that the cities of California’s 29th District (the current one, not the new one going into effect in 2024) are afforded all of the appropriate resources and guidance to manage the so-called “new normal,” while ensuring that our families, children, schools, businesses and more are given the opportunity to once again thrive.
As for my own New Year’s resolutions, my intention on the threshold of another year of service remains exactly the same: I hope to serve you, just as I have done in the past, by being knowledgeable, responsive and accessible, both in the Capitol and in the district. In the coming months, I look forward to sharing my new and continuing legislative priorities, and to receiving your thoughts and correspondence about how to make the 29th District a better place for everyone.
As always, if I may be of any assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 714-525-2342 or online at https://sd29.senate.ca.gov/contact.
All the best to you in 2022,
Josh Newman
Senator, 29th District
SCA 6 Recall Reform: “Remove, then Replace”
On my first day back in Sacramento after the holiday recess, I introduced Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 6 which, when passed, will ensure that statewide and legislative recalls in California are democratic, fair and no longer pretexts for political manipulation.
As you may be aware, California’s state constitution includes provisions for recalling a state-level elected official that were conceived of and enacted more than 110 years ago. To be clear, I’m a firm believer in allowing voters a direct path, unmediated by sitting politicians, for removing a public official who is guilty of corruption or has betrayed the public’s trust. The problem with California’s recall system, however, is that in their current form, they offer almost irresistible incentive for “bad actors” to target an elected official for solely political reasons, in the hopes of replacing them with someone who couldn’t necessarily secure the support of a majority of voters in a normal election.
California is one of 19 states with a “direct democracy” recall process but only one of two states (the other is Colorado) which rely on a “two-question ballot” in the conduct of recall elections. In the event of a fully qualified recall, the ballots of both California and Colorado ask voters to decide, in succession, first whether an official should be removed from office; and second, in an “instant runoff” of sorts, who should replace the recalled official. In the event of majority support for a “yes” vote on recall, the candidate in the second question receiving the most votes instantly replaces the recalled official.
While we should, I maintain, obviously retain the public’s right to recall a corrupt or malfeasant public official, we should deliberately consider ways to ensure that the recall process doesn’t provide an electoral “backdoor” for replacing an elected official with someone who otherwise could not prevail in a regular election. Through its very simple reform, removing the second question on a recall ballot, SCA 6 will ensure that when a state-level recall election takes place, voters will be asked to consider one question, and one question only: whether the case has been effectively made that an elected official should be recalled from office.
In the event of a successful recall, SCA 6 would allow for three scenarios in relation to state-level elected officials: (1) replacing a recalled Governor with the Lt. Governor until the expiration of his or her current term, similar to what would happen if a governor were to leave office early for some other reason; (2) replacing a recalled constitutional officer (Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, Insurance Commission or Lt. Governor) through appointment by the Governor, subject to legislative confirmation, in the same manner as if one of those officials left office early for some reason; and (3) replacing a recalled state legislator via a special election to be held at a later date, as is regularly done when a legislator leaves office for whatever reason.
As you may also know, all changes to the state constitution require approval by a majority of voters statewide, and in order to submit such a proposed change to the voters, two thirds of the members in both the Senate and the Assembly must vote to put the matter to the ballot. Amending California’s constitution, while not uncommon, is also far from an everyday event. By preserving the integrity of the recall process while eliminating the incentives for political gamesmanship, the citizens of our great state will retain their right to the last word on service while restoring the recall process to one that is just, fair, and democratic with a small ‘d’.
A Historic Local Milestone: The First Acquisition at West Coyote Hills
In June of last year, I relayed that all three of my priority funding requests were included in the Budget Act of 2021, including $28.5 million to preserve West Coyote Hills, the last remaining substantial open space in North Orange County. West Coyote Hills is a precious natural asset unique to southern LA County and northern Orange County. I also let you know that in 2016 I worked with Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva and Friends of the Coyote Hills to secure $15 million for the acquisition of 145 of the 510 contiguous acres on the West Coyote Hills property. The preservation of this precious and critical natural habitat has been a top legislative priority for me.
I’m happy to let you know that the State Coastal Conservancy has approved the disbursement of an additional $6,235,262 to Fullerton for the purchase of additional park space in West Coyote Hills.
With this acquisition of land, West Coyote Hills may remain both a viable intact habitat for the native flora and fauna that survive there and a welcome nature preserve for residents living in an area characterized by lack of access to natural park space.
ICYMI: CA State Boards and Commissions Appointments Workshop
Many of you joined me on December 9th for a virtual appointments workshop with Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez, Appointments Secretary to Governor Newsom. If you weren’t able to tune in, here’s a brief summary: Governor Newsom is charged with appointing more than 3,000 people to nearly 300 boards and commissions. People appointed to fill these positions perform oversight on the agencies that implement laws passed by the California Legislature. Being a part of a board or commission gives individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives the ability to serve and represent regional, statewide and industry issues and concerns.
Applicants generally may seek two types of positions:
Exempt Staff: a position in a state agency or department that is exempt from the rules governing the state’s civil service system. Appointees in an exempt position serve at the pleasure of the governor.
Boards or Commissions: volunteer positions that either are not compensated or receive a per diem payment. The governor appoints people to several different types of boards and commissions, including independent, consumer/licensing, advisory, fair, regulatory and policymaking. Appointees may serve at the pleasure of the governor or have specific terms.
Participating in civic engagement through a gubernatorial appointment is a rewarding experience. Anyone wishing to serve and represent the state within a particular area of interest and expertise is encouraged to apply. The Appointments Secretary was able to guide us through the entire process and answer questions. If you weren’t able to attend this workshop, you may watch the recording here (a Facebook account is not required to view the recording): Click Here to Watch the Recording
PDFs shared during the workshop may be accessed here: Click Here to View Workshop PDF
To learn more or apply for a position, visit www.gov.ca.gov/appointments and https://www.gov.ca.gov/application-for-appointment/.
A Season of Holiday Cheer and Giving
Although the holidays are generally a time for celebration and merriment, they can often also be an intensely difficult period for people facing financial struggles, illness or loneliness. This past year in particular has been an especially trying time for so many of us, as the pandemic has left virtually no one unscathed. But even in the midst of such a challenging moment, we nevertheless saw some really wonderful examples of warmth and compassion in our community as the result of the extraordinary work of a number of selfless, charitable groups.
On December 6th, on behalf of the office, Erica visited the Anaheim Public Library to deliver a donation from our office of $1,000 in Amazon gift cards for the Library’s annual holiday gift drive. Through partnership with the Anaheim Public Library Foundation, Anaheim DEVOTE, the Friends of Canyon Hills Library, Kiwanis of Greater Anaheim, Rotary Club of Anaheim and the Anaheim Municipal Employees Association, this year the Library succeeded in raising more than $28,000 in donations for CASA OC (Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County) and Orange County’s “Operation Santa Claus” program.
On December 12th, I joined members of the community at a “Making Spirits Bright” toy drive in Diamond Bar. The drive, now in its second year, is a labor of love from Diamond Bar resident Lee Mao, who this year committed to topping last year’s total of 400 new toys for the children of military service members serving with the Marine Air Ground Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at their training area in the desert in Twentynine Palms. With the help of a host of generous people and groups, this year’s drive collected more than 700 new toys. Among those pitching in to help were the Diamond Bar Woman’s Club, with club chair Sonja Reed and member Rachel Kirk (you may remember Rachel as a past SD-29 Citizen of the Month!) representing the Woman’s Club the day of the drive.
In addition to toy donations, members of the community were also able to offer monetary donations as a part of a larger “Making Spirits Bright” campaign, organized by the Armed Services YMCA of Camp Pendleton. These contributions allowed at least 300 military families at Twentynine Palms and Camp Pendleton – twice as many as the previous year – to partake in holiday celebrations. Donations also were used to purchase wish list gifts requested by families prior to the drive.
The success of both the drive and the campaign largely depended upon the community’s enthusiastic participation. As a part of its yearly initiative to support local toy drives in the area, the Chino Valley Democratic Club contributed toys to a number of drives, including this one. Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar took part in fundraising for Camp Pendleton families. In the spirit of goodwill and in gratitude for the selfless efforts of these community organizers, my office staff was happy to also contribute toys to help bring joy to the holiday season for the kids of some of our brave men and women in uniform at Twentynine Palms.
On December 18th, a group from my district office (Martin, Berenice, Erica, Nathan, Scott, Kasey and Tiffany) joined a terrific local non-profit, the United Across Borders Foundation (UABF), in their final community event of the year, and what an event that was! From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Twila Reid Park in Anaheim was the site of a collaborative powerhouse of non-profit organizations, local businesses, and government agencies who teamed up to distribute groceries, toys, COVID vaccines and other resources to area families in need. Under the direction of UABF founder Erika Robles and Vice President Javier Robles, my office staff, along with the staffs of Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva and Supervisor Doug Chaffee, donated toys and distributed disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers and other supplies. To add some festive flavor to the festivities, we also had the “Better Senator” ice cream truck out serving delicious cold treats to make the holidays just a little sweeter.
UABF’s generosity and commitment to service, paired with the full power and support of community groups, made the holidays feel special for hundreds of families and brought smiles to their faces.
Some individuals are so inextricably tied to the community that their very spirit becomes bound up in its essence. For Placentia residents, such an impact can be associated with Rosalina Davis, the owner of local favorite Tlaquepaque Restaurant, and President of the Placita Santa Fe Merchants Association. It would be a vast understatement to say that over the past two decades, Rosalina has been integral to the Old Town Placentia revitalization effort. Among Rosalina’s many standout accolades and accomplishments, her role as a founding organizer and chair of Placentia’s yearly Tamale Festival exemplifies her civic leadership and identity as an advocate for small business development.
On December 15th, the Placita Santa Fe Merchants Association hosted its 27th annual Tamale Festival. Throughout the evening, walking along Santa Fe Avenue was an immersive experience of sight, smell and sound. Local restaurants proudly displayed and sold handmade tamales while lively music softened the seasonal chill.
Since its inception in 1994, the Placentia Tamale Festival has come to represent an energizing and comforting tradition for residents of Placentia and the surrounding area, regularly drawing between 10-20,000 visitors while highlighting the charm, culture and energy of the city’s small but vibrant historical Old Town district. For local restaurants and vendors in the area, the festival is an important yearly investment. Like virtually everything over the past two years, the festival has also been substantially impacted by the pandemic. This year, despite the daunting circumstances, I’m happy to report that the Tamale Festival has not only survived, but continues to thrive. For Rosalina, the festival’s perseverance represents a linking of family, heritage and community – all of which are vital to the continued growth and vitality of Old Town Placentia.
It’s this same vision of community development which also allows Rosalina’s restaurant, Tlaquepaque, to shine. Tlaquepaque, like its neighbor El Farolito around the corner, is a Placentia institution and treasure. It’s a fourth-generation family-owned business that opened its doors in 1965 and serves quintessential Mexican cuisine that carries on the gastronomical heritage of the culture that it celebrates. Its very name provides a historical reminder of Placentia’s ties to Tlaquepaque, a former sister city, and this heritage is proudly – and delectably – represented in every Tlaquepaque dish.
Rosalina’s longstanding role as a leader in community action and revitalization represents a major force in the growth and development of the city of Placentia and its residents. It’s my honor to be able to recognize Rosalina and Tlaquepaque as SD-29’s first simultaneous Citizen of the Month and Restaurant of the Month.
And if you missed Placentia’s 2021 Tamale Festival, no need to despair! Visit Tlaquepaque at 101 W. Santa Fe Ave, Placentia, CA 92870 for a taste of delicious tamales, enchiladas, tacos and other savory flavors.
Do you have a neighbor, colleague, family member or friend who is making a positive impact in our district? How about a favorite locally-owned restaurant you’d like to share with the community? Every month, my office recognizes and highlights the extraordinary individuals and establishments that make up SD-29. Submit your nominations for Citizen of the Month: https://tinyurl.com/g5oq7fqb and Restaurant of the Month: https://forms.gle/Xpvguqgafi4R3Jv27
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