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Dear Friend and Neighbor,
This past month saw the first big milestone on the legislative calendar, the deadline for introducing all of our bills for the year. I introduced a total of 17 new bills, in addition to one “two-year bill” which was carried over from last year’s legislative session. Over the next few weeks, through a series of committee hearings, the Legislature will conduct its first examinations of literally hundreds of new policy proposals. As part of my membership on six Senate policy committees (Budget, Business and Professions, Elections, Labor, Transportation and Veterans), I will be part of a wide-ranging analysis and discussion of bills on a wide variety of topics.
Looking forward, every March the California Legislature celebrates Women's History Month and commemorates the vital role of women in history. We honor the achievements and impact of female trailblazers across the ages, while taking note of barriers which still need to be addressed and eliminated to achieve real gender equality.
Every March we also observe Cesar Chavez Day, appropriately honoring the legacy of one of California’s greatest civil rights and labor movement activists. The celebration of Cesar Chavez’s birthday each March 31st celebrates his commitment to social justice while also serving as a reminder that we must continue the fight for justice for all California workers who are still striving for fair treatment and livable wages.
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 my best,
Josh Newman
Senator, 29th District
P.S. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward for daylight saving on the evening of Saturday, March 12th!
17 Bills Introduced!
Some of the most pressing issues facing our community and California include environmental protection, election reform, transportation and consumer rights. My proposed legislation will promote natural resource management and preservation, strengthen the integrity and transparency of our elections, invest in transportation alternatives and protect consumers from fraud.
The Environment
California’s natural resources are precious and critical to our state’s economy. Intensifying climate change challenges us to be proactive in our management and conservation efforts by forcing us to safeguard our entire planet. My contributions this year are responsible battery recycling for fire risk reduction as well as ocean conservation.
Election Reform
I am continuing to work on legislation that protects our most fundamental democratic process – our elections. Preserving the integrity, transparency and accountability of our elections is necessary to the health of our democracy.
Transportation
California’s transportation system needs improvement. I am carrying legislation to increase oversight of infrastructure funds, promote access to free public transportation, and invest in clean fuel sources.
Consumer Protection
I have a number of bills that seek to safeguard consumers. They include ensuring that pet owners are able to find affordable housing and ending unfair taxation in consumer protection cases.
To view the full legislative package, head to my website. If you’d like to track these and other legislative efforts throughout the process, visit California Legislative Information.
An UPDATE on Face Masks
With declining case rates and hospitalizations, starting March 1, masks will no longer be required for unvaccinated individuals, but will be strongly recommended for all individuals in most indoor settings. After March 11, in schools and child care facilities, masks will not be required but will be strongly recommended. Masks will still be required for everyone in high transmission settings like public transit, emergency shelters, health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities. As always, local jurisdictions may have additional requirements beyond the state guidance. Read more about this update of face mask guidance here.
Virtual Discussion on Testing
As we approach the two-year mark since the start of the pandemic, confusion about COVID-19 testing is still widespread. Last month I held a virtual discussion about testing, where I was joined by fellow legislators and experts on infectious disease and public health experts to answer questions from the public. You can watch a video of the forum by accessing the link below for answers to questions about:
- Who should be tested and why?
- Different types of testing.
- Current testing trends.
- Supply chain disruptions.
- The broader role of testing as the pandemic becomes endemic.
Black History Parade and Unity Festival
In celebration of Black History Month, my team and I loaded the “Better Senator” ice cream truck with hundreds of delicious, frozen treats and headed to Anaheim’s Black History and Unity Festival. This terrific local annual tradition, now in its 42nd year, was founded in Santa Ana and has been hosted in Anaheim since 2011. In line with this year’s theme, “Our Heritage: Reflecting, Advancing, and Uniting,” the parade commenced with an early morning prayer and was followed by the OC Heritage Council’s Unity Festival, featuring art, music, crafts, and more—all created by Black artisans from across Orange County. Everyone who participated celebrated this wonderful display of collective empowerment.
Celebrating our Woman of the Year
Every March, the California Legislature honors outstanding women who live and work in our communities. This year, I am very pleased to have the privilege of honoring Dr. Joanne Culverhouse as the Woman of the Year for the 29th Senate District.
Dr. Culverhouse is the Superintendent in La Habra City School District. Her distinguished career in education spans 41 years in various capacities, including as teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. Dr. Culverhouse has been a principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels, which has made her uniquely qualified to promote a unified vision across a diverse school district like La Habra. She received her undergraduate and two Master’s Degrees at the University of Nevada Reno, and earned her Doctorate of Education at the University of California, Los Angeles.
In recognition of her expertise and impact, Dr. Culverhouse was recently named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Game Changers” in Orange County, as well as being named as “Superintendent of the Year” by the Association of California School Administrators. After four decades of outstanding service in education, Dr. Culverhouse is retiring at the end of this school year.
UPCOMING EVENT: Blood Drive in La Habra
The recent surge of COVID-19 has resulted in one of the most severe blood supply shortages in more than a decade. In response to this critical need for blood, my office is hosting a blood drive in partnership with the Red Cross and the City of La Habra and we are encouraging all healthy individuals to donate blood.
To schedule your donation appointment, sign up here. Each pint of blood donated may save up to three lives!
Special bonus: Everyone who donates will receive a $10 Fanatics e-gift card and be entered to win a trip to the MLB All-Star Game!
My Office is at Your Service
My district staff has your back! If you’re having trouble resolving an issue with any state agency, please call my office at 714-525-2342, and my staff will do everything in their power to help. Over the past 13 months, we’ve helped constituents with nearly everything under the sun, including but not limited to:
- Consumer Complaints
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Foreclosure Prevention Programs
- Medi-Cal and Covered California
- Professional Conduct or Licensing Complaints
- State Taxes
- Unemployment and Disability Insurance
- Veterans' Benefits
To contact the member of my team with responsibility for your community, simply click on their name to send them an email:
- Anaheim, Brea, Rowland Heights and Yorba Linda, contact Erica Lucia
- Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma and Stanton, contact Scott Do
- Chino Hills, Placentia, West Covina and La Habra, contact Nathan Bass
- Diamond Bar, Industry, Walnut and Buena Park, contact Kasey Condon
In keeping with February’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, our SD-29 “Citizen of the Month” is a local STEM superstar, Melissa Demirci.
Melissa is a leader in Southern California’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics community who has firmly established herself as an exemplary role model, mentor and advocate through her dedicated efforts toward increasing diversity within these important fields. Melissa has committed countless hours of time and energy advocating for women and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in leadership roles.
Melissa is a resident of Chino Hills and a Project Manager for Transtech Engineers, Inc. She was recently recognized as PBS SoCal’s “2021 Local Hero” for her work as a member of Transtech’s Relations Team empowering young women to pursue careers in STEM. She also serves on the Engineering Advisory Board for Embracing Latina Leadership Alliances (ELLAS), which focuses on mentoring and facilitating leadership programs for underprivileged youth.
On behalf of the California State Senate, we extend our congratulations for this honor as well as our appreciation for Melissa’s many contributions, her leadership, and her very positive impact within the 29th Senate District and beyond.
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 the 16 cities across three counties that comprise California’s 29th Senate District.
Submit your nominations for Citizen of the Month: https://tinyurl.com/g5oq7fqb and Restaurant of the Month: https://forms.gle/Xpvguqgafi4R3Jv27
Free Tax Prep
If the thought of preparing and filing your taxes makes your head spin, have no fear—help is available through OC FREE TAX PREP. Orange County United Way has joined forces with H&R Block, the IRS, and a coalition of local partners to support Orange County residents during tax season. This year, OC Free Tax Prep will continue to provide its no-cost services via COVID-friendly options, including:
New Funding Available for OC Microbusinesses
California’s small businesses have been impacted disproportionately by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially our smallest businesses. Last year, my colleagues and I fought for additional funding in the state budget to provide direct relief to California’s smallest businesses, and I am pleased to share that those funds are now available.
Eligible Orange County businesses with five employees or fewer may now apply for up to $2,500 in one-time grant funding. The OC Microbusiness Grant program will provide direct relief to approximately 1,470 OC businesses that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. For a list of eligibility requirements and to apply, visit www.oconestop.com/orange-county-microbusiness-grants. Make sure to apply soon, because the application window closes on March 15th! If you need help navigating the process or have other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my office for assistance.
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