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Dear Friend and Neighbor,
As summer approaches and the days grow longer, so do my hours in legislative committees. I say this not as a complaint — to be clear, not a day goes by where I’m not immensely grateful to have the privilege of representing you and doing this work — but to emphasize just how intense the legislative process tends to be during this time of the year (more on what’s happening in the legislative process later in this update).
On a different note, each May California appropriately celebrates the achievements of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities who have made so many important contributions to our shared American story. During AAPI History Month, we honor the courage and commitment of those who made their way to our shores to pursue their version of the American Dream. To be sure, the AAPI community has left an indelible mark on every sector of American society — especially here in the 29th District, where nearly 30% of our residents identify as AAPI.
May also marks the observance of Mental Health Awareness Month. The pandemic has created a vast array of challenges that have been difficult for us all, and after two years of living through an unprecedented public health emergency, many people are realizing that stress, isolation, and uncertainty have taken a toll on their well-being. Together, we can destigmatize essential conversations around mental health and make sure that no one ever feels alone in their struggle. If you could benefit by speaking to someone, never hesitate to call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text 838255.
As always, if I can be of assistance, 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
May marks an important milestone in California’s legislative budgeting process. Later this month, the Governor will present the Legislature with a revised budget forecast and set of spending proposals. My colleagues and I will then finalize our version of the state budget, which we are obligated, under the provisions of California’s state constitution, to pass by the 15th of June.
In May, we also approach a key legislative deadline, when all bills must pass out of their “house of origin” by May 27th. In other words, in order for my legislation to move forward, all of my bills have to proceed out of the Senate into the Assembly to continue to be viable. Here are a few updates on some of my key bills:
Battery Recycling: If you’re like the rest of us (and you either recycle or generally intend to), you probably have a Ziploc bag of used batteries in a closet or drawer that you’re planning to properly discard at some point. Unfortunately — and this is why your batteries are still sitting in that Ziploc bag—California still lacks a straightforward, simple disposal option for disposing of batteries. That’s why I’ve authored SB 1215, the Responsible Battery Recycling Act, which will create a statewide collection and recycling program for consumer batteries and battery-embedded products (things like rechargeable vacuums and the like). Because of the hazardous metals and corrosive materials that batteries contain, California classifies batteries as hazardous waste and bans them from solid waste landfills. When improperly discarded, however, batteries pose serious fire, health and safety hazards that disrupt our waste stream and poison our environment. You can read more about the bill in the op-ed I wrote that CalMatters published in early April. SB 1215 recently passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and will be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Committee in mid-May.
Hydrogen-Fueled Cars: In early April, we commemorated “California Hydrogen Week” by holding a press event to announce plans to quadruple the number of retail passenger vehicle hydrogen fueling stations across California. As you may be aware, California has embraced the ambitious goal of ending the sale of new gasoline automobiles in our state by the year 2035. Even with the recent increase in popularity and sales of battery-electric vehicles (referred to in these circles as BEVs), if we rely only on BEVs to do that, it’s highly unlikely we’ll successfully meet that worthy and environmentally critical goal. By advancing hydrogen as a policy and infrastructure priority, and supporting the continued roll-out of hydrogen fueling stations and the sale of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (known as FCEVs in these circles), SB 1329 will place our clean energy goals within reach. The bill has now passed out of the Senate Utilities and Transportation Committees and now heads to Appropriations Committee.
For a list of my full bill package for the year, visit my website here.
Honoring Black April
On Sunday, April 24th, I joined local leaders in Westminster to honor Black April, or "Tháng Tư Đen." In recognition of the fall of Saigon and of South Vietnam, Black April is a day to commemorate and appropriately honor the estimated 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers and nearly 60,000 American soldiers who died during the Vietnam War, as well as reflect on the journey of Vietnamese Americans who made their way to our country in the aftermath of the war. As the proud home to “Little Saigon,” Westminster became the first city in the world to officially recognize “Black April Memorial Week” starting in 2019.
Love Fullerton Day
As a resident of Fullerton, I’ve always enjoyed being a part of “Love Fullerton” Day. This year, on the 9th annual rendition of this wonderful city-wide event, volunteers completed more than 80 service projects including the cleaning up of city parks and beautification of school buildings. To properly welcome volunteers and thank them for their hard work at the close of the effort, my team and I rolled out the “Better Senator” ice cream truck. The truck was stocked with a variety of different ice cream sandwich flavors: mint chocolate chip, vanilla caramel, cookies and cream and Neapolitan, in addition to our traditional vanilla (I’m a pretty vanilla guy, after all), and we had a terrific time handing them out to participants on the Fullerton College quad as part of closing out a really great day and another awesome effort by the great folks at OC United.
Touring OCTA’s Hydrogen Fueling Station
In April, I had the pleasure of touring the Orange County Transit Authority’s very impressive hydrogen bus fueling facility, which is currently the largest in the country. This $22.9 million project is part of a pilot program in which OCTA became the first large public transportation agency in Southern California to deploy hydrogen fuel cell electric buses alongside its fleet of buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric batteries. Innovative programs like this will be key to successfully meeting California’s overall goal of transitioning to a zero-emission fleet of buses by 2040.
For the month of April, I was very pleased to have the opportunity to recognize another outstanding community member, Dr. JoAnna Schilling. As President of Cypress College, Dr. Schilling has firmly established herself as an exemplary administrator, educator, and role model through her ardent and effective commitment to strengthening and increasing the accessibility of California’s community college education system.
Prior to her current role as President, Dr. Schilling also held administrative roles at Cerritos College as Vice President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent, and at Rio Hondo College as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Dean of Arts and Cultural Programs, Continuing and Contract Education. She has been a stalwart advocate for lowering textbook costs in higher education at all the institutions she has served, a cause she continues to pursue at Cypress College.
Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Schilling was a literary associate and educator for the professional conservatory at South Coast Repertory Theatre. She is the author of recent journal publications in the Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Community College Enterprise, Management Learning, was a contributing editor at Dog Fancy Magazine, and is the author of three “Dog Lover Companion” books for Avalon Travel Publishing/Perseus Books.
Submit your nominations for Citizen of the Month: https://tinyurl.com/g5oq7fqb and Restaurant of the Month: https://forms.gle/Xpvguqgafi4R3Jv27
Visit State Parks for FREE
In partnership with the California State Library system, California state parks are allowing holders of public library cards to check out vehicle day-use passes for over 200 participating state parks. The California State Library Parks Pass is valid for the entry of one passenger vehicle with a capacity of nine people or less or one highway-licensed motorcycle.
To view an interactive map of California’s public libraries and nearby participating state parks, click here.
California Mortgage Relief Program
If you’re a homeowner who is behind on their mortgage payments, you may qualify for a new state assistance program designed to provide relief to those who have been adversely affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic. Under the program, California homeowners may apply to the California Mortgage Relief Program to pay for overdue housing payments up to $80,000 per household.
Interested homeowners can visit CaMortgageRelief.org to check their eligibility and apply.
CalFresh Enrollment and Resource Fairs
Orange County’s public health care provider, CalOptima, is launching a series of CalFresh Enrollment and Resource Fairs to help address food insecurity in Orange County. CalOptima and partnering agencies will offer onsite CalFresh enrollment, food and diaper distribution (while supplies last), community resources, and activities for the whole family, including music, face painting, balloons, and more. The first resource fair will be held on May 6th in Santa Ana. For more information, visit caloptima.org/fresh.
Calling for Nominations for CalEnergy’s Hall of Fame
Do you know an avid energy advocate? Consider nominating them for the 3rd annual CalEnergy Hall of Fame awards! The California Energy Commission will recognize the champions working to secure California’s clean energy future in December. Nominate someone by July 1st here.
DINE LATINO Restaurant Week
Celebrate the richness of Latino cuisine by getting takeout, delivery, or dine-in at your favorite local Latino restaurant from May 17th to May 22nd. DINE LATINO Restaurant Week showcases the depth, diversity, and resilience of Latino restaurants. No tickets or passes are required for DINE LATINO Restaurant Week. Simply search the participating restaurant guide and try a new restaurant or enjoy an old favorite. To find a participating restaurant near you, click here.
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