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Dear Friend and Neighbor,
From mid-July to mid-August, the California Legislature adjourns for its traditional summer recess. The summer recess gives elected officials a month to reconnect with the communities we represent and to survey constituents and stakeholders about the most critical issues affecting our region. In the 29th Senate District, we’ve been meeting with city administrators, non-profit organizations, and local leaders who play a key role in recognizing and defining the challenges we face together.
After six and a half months of legislative and oversight work in Sacramento, especially given the challenges and demands of the pandemic, finally having an opportunity to get out of the office routine and enjoy the summer festivities, local landmarks, and community-led events with you is a genuine joy and privilege.
I remain as committed as ever to ensuring that as your representative, I’m as accessible and accountable as possible, and that your interests and needs are accurately and actively represented in Sacramento. During the summer recess, which lasts until mid-August, if you happen to see me around, please do say hello! I’m always more than happy to chat with you--about legislation, about the district, or even about the weather.
Unfortunately, due to the continued protocols in response to COVID-19, my district office in Fullerton remains closed to the public for in-person services. But please know that you are always welcome to contact me and my staff at 714-525-2342 or https://sd29.senate.ca.gov/contact regarding any issues that you may be experiencing with state agencies or programs--especially EDD. My team and I will be more than happy to assist you in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Spanish.
All the best,
Josh Newman
Senator, 29th District
P.S.: While you’re watching the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and cheering on your favorite athletes, can you guess the symbolism behind the ubiquitous Olympic Rings?
Previous pop quiz: True or False? The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776.
Answer: While Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 after declaring freedom from Great Britain on July 2nd, 1776, delegates did not start signing the Declaration until August 2nd, 1776. So, if you answered “false” or “it’s actually bit more complicated than that,” congratulations! You are correct!
Every year, the California Legislature reviews an astoundingly large number of bills. For the 2020-2021 legislative year, the 40 members of the State Senate introduced 828 separate bills, while members of the State Assembly (which has exactly twice as many members, with 80) introduced 1,593. That’s a lot of prospective changes to California’s laws and programs! If you reviewed a bill a day, going through the more than 2,400 bills introduced so far this year would take more than six years. Unfortunately for Capitol staff, each and every single bill must be reviewed within the year it is introduced.
Most bills are sorted by issue area and then considered multiple times by legislative committees. There are 22 Senate committees, ranging from Agriculture to Insurance to Housing. In addition to these so-called standing committees, there are a number of other select, joint, sub, and special committees. I currently serve on the following committees:
- Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
- Budget Subcommittee #5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation
- Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee
- Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
- Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee
- Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
- Transportation Committee
- Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management
- Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response (Chair)
As a member of these committees, I hear testimony and vote on bills pertaining to these issue areas during policy hearings. If a bill passes out of each of the committees to which they are referred, they come to the Senate floor for a vote by all 40 senators.
On the Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee, one of the eight committees on which I serve, I’ve co-authored several bills with provisions that are important for increasing voter access, promoting political equality and enhanced citizen participation, and creating transparency within our democratic process. They include:
- Assembly Bill 37: Requires county election officials to mail a ballot to every active registered voter for every election
- Assembly Bill 759: Requires counties to hold elections for district attorneys or sheriffs concurrently with the presidential election cycle, starting on January 1, 2023
- Senate Bill 459: Increases the frequency of reporting for major lobbyists, requiring monthly reporting for lobbying firms and interest groups that report more than $15,000 in lobbying activity in a month
I’m also a member of the Senate Committee on Transportation, which considers legislation to improve the ways that Californians get around and move goods. When it comes to transportation legislation, I’ve co-authored several bills that will allow California to develop and implement cleaner and greener modes of transportation:
- Senate Bill 372: Helps truck fleets finance the transition away from petroleum
- Senate Bill 643: Creates a working group to prepare a statewide assessment of California’s fuel cell electric vehicle fueling infrastructure and the alternative fuel production needed to support the adoption of zero-emission trucks, buses, and off-road vehicles at levels necessary for the state to meet specified goals and requirements relating to vehicular air pollution
- Senate Bill 542: Reduces sales taxes for the lowest-polluting heavy-duty trucks
The above legislation is just a sampling of issue areas and bills about which I care deeply. To view a comprehensive list of all of the bills that I have authored or co-authored so far this year, click here.
Our July 2021 “Citizen of the Month” is our youngest Citizen of the Month to date! After being diagnosed with dyslexia, a disorder that makes interpreting words and letters difficult, eight-year-old Kiara “Kiwi” Smith and her mother Katrina looked for ways to make reading more fun and enjoyable. Taking full advantage of her own boundless creativity, imagination, and love of stories, Kiara decided to write books for her peers.
With the help and support of her family, Kiara has now written four books for her “Kiwi Cares Collection” that share the lessons she has learned and experienced: self-love, empathy, honesty, and friendship. Any profits from the sales of her books go to non-profit organizations that support children’s health, safety, and education. To date, she has worked with Save the Children to sponsor a friend in need, and with Olive Crest to donate 80 of her books.
For a young girl like Kiara to transform her own challenges with a learning disorder into a powerful force for good is proof that age is never proportional to the ability to make an impact. Kiara’s work is an exercise in empowerment, not only for herself but for the readers and beneficiaries with whom she shares her love of learning and helping others. Talented, committed young people like Kiara are the next generation of leaders who will spark positive change within our communities, and it’s my great privilege to be able to honor her as the 29th Senate District’s July 2021 “Citizen of the Month.”
Do you have a neighbor, colleague, family member, or friend who is making a positive impact in our community? If so, I'd love to hear more about their work. Each month, I'll be honoring constituents in the 29th District who are doing the kind of extraordinary work that Kiara is doing. You can submit your nominations here: https://tinyurl.com/g5oq7fqb
Riddle me this: Winter is to hot chocolate as summer is to…what?
You might have guessed ice cream, which is a perfectly respectable answer, but our July 2021 Restaurant of the Month would beg to differ. After sampling Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice at its first brick-and-mortar retail store in Placentia, my district staff and I are convinced that there’s no better pairing than a warm summer breeze and a scoop of sweet, fruity, delicious Italian ice.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mike Elder (who in real life sports the same awesome mustache as in his cool store logo) always dreamed of sharing his favorite East Coast childhood treat with others after making his way to the West Coast. In 2008, he and his family started creating small batches of Italian ice to offer to local youth leagues, churches, and festivals. After an overwhelmingly positive response, the family started manufacturing and distributing their products to be sold at malls, amusement parks, fairs, schools and more. In 2020, when the event and catering industry came to a devastating standstill, Mike needed to look for new ways to spread his culinary passion. Mustache Mike’s first Italian Ice “scoop shop,” as the family calls it, was a small victory against the calamitous nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’ve never experienced this refreshing Italian treat, and want to enjoy Mustache Mike’s Italian ice from the very source, stop by their store at 1837 E Orangethorpe Ave in Placentia for a scoop (or two)! And if you’re still convinced “ice cream” was the correct answer to the riddle above, don’t worry--Mustache Mike’s carries a scrumptious line of soft-serve ice cream as well.
Do you have a favorite locally-owned restaurant in the 29th Senate District? We'd love to hear about it. Submit your nomination for Restaurant of the Month here: https://forms.gle/Xpvguqgafi4R3Jv27
This past month was just as busy as ever, with my staff doing their usual awesome job assisting constituents and participating in local events. I’m very fortunate to have the support of such an energetic and public-spirited team, who are continually out in the district helping to build relationships that are vital to active and open communication and collaboration. Through the paths that they’ve created, I’m better informed and better equipped to represent individuals like you to the best of my ability.
Here are some of my district team’s July 2021 highlights:
On July 1st, Nathan attended Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner’s press conference in support of establishing a veterans’ cemetery in Orange County. With plans for a potential location in Irvine stuck in discussion for nearly a decade, a county-owned site in Gypsum Canyon has become the primary alternate location proposed by local veteran advocates. As a proud veteran who has been actively involved in veteran causes in Orange County over the past decade, I commend the leadership of the cemetery effort, particularly Bill Cook and Nick Berardino, who have persevered and advocated relentlessly in the effort to ensure that Orange County’s veterans and their families will have a fitting final resting place of their own.
What day could crown the month of July better than the 4th? This year, many cities in the 29th Senate District recommenced their annual Independence Day celebrations. My staff and I were able to attend and celebrate with Chino Hills, La Habra, and Yorba Linda.
Through active collaboration and detailed planning by each city’s partners, sponsors, staff and volunteers, we were able to view a hallmark celebration of our nation’s independence. A huge and appreciative thank you to Chino Hills, La Habra, and Yorba Linda for their spectacular displays of patriotism and community engagement!
What better way to cool off during these hot summer nights than having waves of good music cascading through your body? Buena Park kicked off the first of their annual Summer Concert Series at Boisseranc Park on July 14th, and Evan was happy to attend and table with field representatives from other local offices. An estimated 1,500 residents came out to listen and dance to the two-time Grammy-award winning Mariachi Divas.
July 14th was a busy day for Evan. Earlier that afternoon, he attended Mt. San Antonio College’s ground-breaking ceremony for its new transit and student centers. This new project, the latest in Mt. SAC’s efforts to revitalize the campus, was made possible through a partnership with Foothill Transit. The construction of a 10-bay transit center arranged around a central pedestrian plaza will make public transport a more viable option for students and provide increased accessibility. The incorporation of a 100,000-square-foot Student Center will be an exciting addition that will provide students ample space to study, socialize, and host events.
On July 16th, Martin, my district director, journeyed to the McCoy Equestrian and Recreation Center in Chino Hills to celebrate its formal purchase by the city for $1. The Center, which originally served as the home of Frank and Helen McCoy, was donated by Helen in 1996 to preserve the city’s equestrian heritage. Through a long-term lease agreement, the city leased the Center for a dollar a year for 25 years. On March 9, 2021, Chino Hills City Council approved the purchase of the Center. Martin, along with staffers from Assemblymember Philip Chen’s office, presented certificates of recognition to William Hughes and Denzil Gunnels, who have served as co-trustees for the Helen McCoy Trust through the years.
On July 18th, Scott attended the La Habra Art Gallery’s Grand Re-Opening reception, hosted by the La Habra Arts Association and the La Habra Chamber of Commerce. After the gallery’s year-long closure due to the pandemic, its return with an array of art exhibitions, workshops, and other events will encourage La Habra residents to participate in the arts.
On July 21st, Erica attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for Easterseals Senior Services in Brea. While there, she also took part in celebrating Seal Beach resident and WWII veteran Cliff Pederson’s 104th birthday. Cliff celebrated with his great grand-daughter, who is younger than him by a full century!
On July 24th, Scott, Tiffany and I participated in Advance OC’s "Back to School Fest," an outdoor school supplies drive and resource fair that supports underserved Orange County students. While there were four total participating locations that day offering school supplies, medical screenings and more, Stanton Central Park was the only location offering attendees cotton candy made by a certain state senator and his team.
A big thank you to Advance OC, along with Stanton City Council leadership and staff, who worked tirelessly to make this event a fun and fulfilling community-centered day of giving for our students.
CA COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM - HOUSING IS KEY
On June 28, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation extending the state’s eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021. The legislation also authorizes the use of federal rental assistance funding that was made available from the American Rescue Plan Act, and makes changes to the CA Rent Relief Program by providing 100% payment for current rent arrearages as well as future rent and utilities.
If eligible, landlords and tenant applicants will be compensated in full for:
- Unpaid rent accrued on or after April 1, 2020
- Prospective rent (in 3-month increments)
- Utilities (past and prospective)
You can verify your eligibility for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program and apply at HousingisKey.com, or call 833-430-2122. Both landlords and tenants are eligible to apply. If you are an applicant who has already received funding through this program, you will be compensated with the difference to receive 100% coverage, with no need to re-apply.
An important note: assistance from the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program will not count as earned income, and will not affect eligibility for any other California state benefit assistance programs, such as CalFresh or CalWORKS.
HousingisKey.com provides resources regarding eligibility, required materials, applications, and other FAQs. However, if you are in need of assistance with this program, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
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