Senator Newman’s November 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friend and Neighbor,

The month of November, more than most, offers a number of opportunities to express and experience gratitude. While it’s easy to get caught up in the stresses and demands of the day-to-day, there’s solace that can come from slowing down and taking a moment to appreciate the simple joys we’re afforded every day. Though the days are now rapidly getting shorter, with nights getting longer and temperatures starting to plummet, there’s no better time of year than now to do so. November brings us a number of holidays -- Día de Muertos, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving -- that make it easy to ease into that mindset.

While Thanksgiving rounds out November, the beginning of the month also holds time and space to honor and appreciate with joy the lives of loved ones who have passed before us. If you celebrated Día de Muertos earlier this month, I hope your ofrendas, made with tenderness and care, welcomed your beloved departed loved ones and provided the wonderful opportunity to celebrate, honor, and reminisce on their lives.

As a veteran and a strong advocate for veteran services, workforce training, and support for the wellbeing of vets, active duty military, and their families, I hope you also took some time on Veterans Day to thank a veteran in your community and think about ways that you can also be of service. Whether that’s donating to a local charity or non-profit, or volunteering your time with a community organization, it’s always deeply gratifying to give back to those who have served our country. We should all be deeply grateful for those who’ve served in protecting the freedoms and liberties that we all hold so dear.

As the end of the year approaches, I’m very much looking forward to spending some quality time with my family and enjoying all the festive community activities throughout the district. I hope to run into some of you while we’re all out and about either getting ready for or enjoying the holiday season.

If you want to stay up-to-date on district events, my team and I often highlight upcoming happenings on my Instagram, @senatornewmanca. Social media, for all of its faults, remains a good way to stay connected, but if that’s not your style, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 714-525-2342 or https://sd29.senate.ca.gov/contact if you want to get in touch. Regardless of the mode of correspondence, my office remains at the ready to assist you, take your comments, or answer your questions.

All the best,

Josh Newman
Senator, 29th District

The week leading up to Thanksgiving is “American Education Week”, during which we celebrate California’s public educational systems and honor those who work so hard to make education work -- from bus drivers to classroom teacher to administrative staff -- all of whom play an important role in some facet of the education of California’s students.

For elected officials like myself, American Education Week is a timely reminder to reflect on what needs to be done to make our state’s education systems better, and as chair of the Senate Education Committee, my focus is on finding ways to improve education in California and ensure that every student, regardless of background, zip code, or income level, is set up for success. I’m very proud that this year I was able to contribute to this important effort by working on legislation that has since been signed by the governor.

SB 291 will require California elementary schools to provide students with an outdoor daily recess period of at least 30 minutes. This new law also prohibits a student from being denied recess as a form of discipline or punishment. Students are still recovering from COVID-related educational disruptions, and they cannot afford to lose any more time in their social and emotional development. Recess serves as a critical outlet and break for students to reset their minds and bodies.

SB 444 codifies the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) model into California’s education code, thereby providing the stability and ongoing evaluation necessary to best serve students across the state. This new law ensures that existing funding for this program is efficiently utilized for the operation and administration of MESA programs, services, and its students.

SB 494 will bring greater transparency and accountability to school district governing board proceedings and ensure stability and transparency in school district governance by requiring school district governing boards to use the regular meeting process, rather than holding a special or emergency meeting when taking action to terminate a district superintendent without cause.

Here are some other legislative successes my office achieved this year. The following bills have been signed by the governor:

Part of the Governor’s 2023 Infrastructure Package, SB 145 was unanimously approved by the Legislature and includes two fixes that will allow Caltrans to implement long-term environmental mitigation and conservation measures in a faster, more cost-effective way. One fix includes streamlining the construction of three new wildlife crossings over Interstate 15 as part of Brightline West’s high speed railway project between Southern California and Las Vegas. By reducing time-intensive, bureaucratic red tape, SB 145 maximizes our state’s competitiveness for federal funding and makes clear California remains committed to the highest standards of ecological protection. SB 145 was enacted immediately in July following its unanimous approval.

SB 386 makes changes to the elections code in order to further secure, modernize, and streamline California Election procedures. The bill will update current statute by (1) extending the signature verification periods within which election officials must complete their determination of the number of qualified signatures on various state and local petitions; (2) requiring city election officials to publish a public notice with specified city election information no later than three days before the deadline for nomination papers; and (3) removing antiquated instructions as it relates to presidential elections that appear on the ballot.

To combat the environmental damage and health hazards caused when electronic waste (also known as “e-waste”) is shipped overseas for disposal, SB 568 will require that exporters of e-waste look first for in-state recycling capacity prior to a decision to export. Not only will this legislation work to address the environmental problems that e-waste causes abroad, it will also bolster in-state e-waste recycling as the industry continues to advance new technologies and processes to safely and responsibly extract scarce and valuable raw materials such as gold, platinum, cobalt, and other rare earth elements from e-waste.

As California begins to receive upwards of $41 billion in federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, SB 617 authorizes local transportation agencies to utilize a more efficient and flexible contractor method called progressive design-build in building essential transportation projects, like new rapid transit lines and other major road improvements. Progressive design-build has shown success in reducing risk, costs, and construction times, and places the burden of cost overruns on the contractor, rather than the taxpayer.

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Federal Funding for ARCHES Hydrogen Hub Application

Earlier this month, California achieved an exciting milestone in its work on transitioning toward clean energy when the U.S. Department of Energy announced approval of California’s application to host one of the nation’s new Hydrogen Hubs. California’s application, submitted by a coalition called ARCHES (which stands for “Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems”), was named to receive up to $1.2 billion for the development of a clean hydrogen economy. This historic award is one of the single largest federal grants California has ever received and will fund dozens of projects across the state for the production, storage, and usage of clean hydrogen energy to eventually replace climate-damaging fossil fuels. Ramping up the usage of hydrogen in transportation, grid energy storage, and heavy industry is a core pillar of California’s strategy to combat climate change and reach carbon neutrality by 2045, and these funds will prove vital in transitioning these industries while creating 220,000 new jobs and unlocking billions more in private investment along the way.

And for my fellow hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle drivers, the investment being made through the ARCHES grant represents an important step toward improving the resiliency of the hydrogen supply chain and getting us back on track to reaching price parity with gasoline. Congratulations to the many partners who made California’s ambitious proposal possible. I look forward to continuing to support smart partnerships like ARCHES in creating new clean energy jobs and cleaner air for our communities.

OCMA Tour

On October 3, Orange County Museum of Art CEO Heidi Zuckerman hosted me and my staff for a tour of OCMA, which just celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of its new home in the city of Costa Mesa. In that short time, the museum has hosted more than 260,000 visitors, providing free admission to Orange County residents and visitors from around the world. OCMA offers a variety of programs, including “¡ArteViva!,” which celebrates Spanish art, “Family Fun” nights, and other community events, making it a great place to enjoy art with family and friends.

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CSUF Energy and Sustainability Summit

On October 27, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at Cal State Fullerton’s 2nd Annual Energy and Sustainability Summit, where I spoke about the state’s goals and investment in the areas of climate change and moving to a zero-emission future. While the summit included an array of distinguished panelists from industry, local agencies, and state government, I was most impressed by the CSUF students who were there to showcase their research into increasing the lifespan of an electric vehicle battery. The current generation of college and high school students will comprise the critical workforce that we’re going to rely on for a successful transition to a carbon-neutral future, and I’m very proud of the state’s recent commitment to investing $67.5 billion in a new Engineering & Computer Science Innovation Hub at Cal State Fullerton, as the result of a budget request which I championed last year.

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OC Human Trafficking Task Force Press Conference

In mid-October, I participated in a press conference publicizing the release of new research by the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force and the passage of legislation aimed at reducing incidents of human trafficking in California. Standing alongside members of the Task Force, including Anaheim Police Chief Rick Armendariz and the nonprofit Waymakers OC, I reflected on data which detailed the state of child trafficking in the county and demographic information about contacted survivors.

According to data recently prepared by the OC Human Trafficking Task Force, the overwhelming majority of human trafficking victims assisted by the Task Force throughout 2021 and 2022 -- nearly 90% --; were exploited for commercial sex trafficking. Of the 415 trafficking victims assisted during that period, more than 360 were sex trafficked; two of every five sex trafficking victims were minors.

During the legislative cycle that just ended, I was a co-author of Senate Bill 14, an important public safety measure that increased the criminal penalty for the human trafficking of a minor. By including the human trafficking of a minor within the penal code’s definition of a serious felony, on par with rape or murder, the state has created an important path for protecting the most vulnerable human trafficking victims: children. The successful prosecution of human trafficking of a minor will now constitute a “strike” in California’s “three strikes” criminal justice policy, representing a strong deterrent for repeat human trafficking offenses.

There is clearly a great deal of work remaining to be done, but I want to commend the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force and Waymakers OC’s commitment to locally combatting human trafficking and caring for survivors. I believe the passage of SB 14 marks an important step toward fully addressing the growing scourge of human trafficking in Orange County and California more broadly, and I will continue standing with law enforcement and survivors as a strong partner and advocate.

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Red Ribbon Week at Beechwood School

On October 23, I visited Beechwood School in Fullerton to help kick off Red Ribbon Week. This annual event, celebrated this year from October 23 to October 31, emphasizes the importance and benefits of a drug-free lifestyle. By wearing and displaying a red ribbon, students pledge to be informed about the dangers and consequences of drugs, and to be committed to enforcing a healthy, drug-free environment.

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Sunburst Youth Academy Visit

On October 6, I was happy to join the California School Boards Association on a tour of Sunburst Youth Academy at the Joint Forces Base in Los Alamitos. The Academy, which is partially funded by the North Orange County Public Safety Collaborative, offers at-risk youth the opportunity to reach their full potential through a semester-long immersion in rigorous academics and a quasi-military curriculum.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to visit the facilities and classrooms and meet the dedicated staff and faculty who make the program possible. After the tour, we were joined by the current class of cadets who reside in SD-29. Two courageous students of Class 32 shared their personal stories and the impact Sunburst has had on their lives.

In its 16 years of operation, Sunburst Youth Academy has ensured that its cadets make satisfactory progress towards graduating high school or obtaining a GED while instilling self-confidence and leadership skills. I'm proud to be a long-standing supporter of the Academy's mission and look forward to its continued success.

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29th Senate District’s October 2023 Restaurant of the Month

It was my pleasure to recognize Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams in Yorba Linda as Senate District 29’s Restaurant of the Month for October.

Stefano’s first opened its doors in 2003 when founder Colleen Stefano decided to open a restaurant serving deli-style meats and hearty, traditional Italian fare. Colleen and her husband Frank Stefano, who have lived in Yorba Linda for 33 years, had been looking to establish a family business and decided on a fast-casual restaurant and counter serving up an eclectic menu consisting of time-tested family recipes, as well as newer recipes created by their children, Frankie and Alana. In his own words, Frank happily followed Colleen’s lead; the family-owned and operated restaurant is now celebrating 20 years of business serving the residents of Yorba Linda and beyond.

We extend our appreciation for Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams’ contributions to the diversity and quality of culinary offerings in the 29th Senate District.

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29th Senate District’s October 2023 Citizen of the Month

This fall, Anaheim Union High School District began offering a new Korean American studies course to students, the first of its kind in the United States. Spearheaded by AUHSD teacher of 22 years and our Citizen of the Month for October 2023, Dr. Jeff Kim, the course will delve into the Korean American story, offering students a new set of touchstones from which to understand the world around them.

Part of the challenge of the course for students, Dr. Kim said, has been the awkwardness of probing their parents and families about an often under-discussed subject: the story of their heritage. Dr. Kim noted that pain and trauma visited upon Korean immigrants by the division of Korea and the Korean War, as well as the immigration process itself, long precluded many first-generation immigrants from passing on their stories. Exploring their own family history and that of their classmates has therefore provided students with a new basis from which to understand the Korean American story and how it intertwines with the broader history of the United States.

From that strong foundation, Dr. Kim is now guiding students through historical texts, including Korean Americans: A Concise History by Edward Chang and Carol Park, that will make visible the notable people and events that have defined the contributions of Korean Americans to our nation and the world. Soon, the class will begin building and spreading this knowledge, with current plans set on creating a virtual Korean American studies library and museum.

Anaheim Union High School District’s Korean American studies course is an outstanding example of how the Legislature’s recent goals to include ethnic studies in the public school curriculum enable educators to design culturally relevant and engaging courses for our students. By promoting cultural literacy and appreciation for the heritage of all of those around us, we can learn to relate with each other more tolerantly and productively as a people.

I commend Dr. Jeff Kim for his vision and dedicated efforts to achieve those goals by establishing this groundbreaking Korean American studies course, and I’m proud to present him as the 29th Senate District’s Citizen of the Month for October 2023.

 

From Erica Lucia, District Director:

“On October 19, I attended the 29th Annual Economic Forecast Conference hosted by Orange County Business Council and Cal State Fullerton. Dr. Anil Puri and Dr. Mira Farka, directors of the Woods Center for Analysis and Forecasting at Cal State Fullerton, provided an overview of current economic trends and a road map of where the numbers indicate our economy is headed in the next year. You can read their full report here.

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From Nathan Bass, serving the cities of Anaheim, Chino Hills, and Placentia:

“As October brought the advent of Fire Prevention Week, the month provided an opportune time for the Chino Valley Independent Fire District’s (CVFD) annual ‘State of the Fire District’ address. Unlike most of the cities in Senate District 29 that receive their fire services by their own city department, the cities of Chino and Chino Hills are served by a regional fire department called the Chino Valley Independent Fire District (CVFD). Across that wide jurisdiction, CVFD serves thousands of businesses and 160,000 people, and it protects more than 70 square miles of land. Just as CVFD Fire Chief Dave Williams’s address brought me comfort about the exceptional fire services provided in the Chino Valley, you can take a few simple actions to bring peace of mind to your own home. Before the start of December, I urge you to inspect and maintain your fire alarms and extinguishers, develop and practice your family’s fire escape plan, and ensure all family members know to call ‘9-1-1’ during an emergency.”

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From Scott Do, serving the cities of Fullerton, La Habra, and Stanton:

“For the past four years I’ve had the privilege to be a part of the planning of our annual Mid-Autumn Festival in Stanton. This event is the product of the very laborious effort and commitment of our office and two very prominent and important members of the Vietnamese American community: Julie Diep, founder and director of OC Autism Foundation, and Mayor Pro Tem Alyce Van of Stanton. I’m grateful for their collaboration and guidance that makes it possible to put on this cultural event for all to enjoy. This year, despite a slight drizzle the day of, we were able to give out 1,000 free mooncakes, lanterns, ice cream, boba, and over 6,000 free snacks to children, while also enjoying La Quinta High School Vietnamese Student Association’s signature lion dance performances and DeMille Elementary School’s cultural showcases. Thank you to everyone who showed up and helped make it possible! I hope to do it all again, next year.”

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From Elizabeth Lavezzari, serving the cities of Cypress, La Palma, and West Covina:

“On October 25, I spent the morning at the annual Cypress Women's Conference at the Cypress Community Center. Hosted by the City of Cypress Recreation Department in partnership with Woman's Club of Cypress, the event highlights exceptional women in Cypress and surrounding areas and brings together community members to celebrate the impacts they have made in their careers and in the community. This year's keynote speaker was Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. It was incredibly inspiring to hear from her and the other speakers about their journeys and the importance of giving back. Their stories and insights are an empowering reminder for women of all ages to pursue their passions and find their voice.”

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From Christiane Salamat, serving the cities of Diamond Bar, Industry, Rowland Heights, and Walnut:

“This month, I had the pleasure of attending the Walnut Valley Unified School District’s Salute to Teachers awards ceremony, which took place at Walnut High School’s performing arts center on October 18. The ceremony kicked off with a performance from WHS’s show choir, laying the foundation for an afternoon full of high spirits and deep gratitude for the 700 educators working in Walnut Valley. At the event, teachers from 14 WVUSD schools were honored as Teachers of the Year, and we celebrated their unwavering dedication to fostering their students’ academic success and personal development.

As the sister of two elementary school teachers and a proud product of the California public school system, I was thankful for the opportunity to join in the praise for these wonderful teachers and all the work they do to serve the district’s student body of more than 14,000 kids.”

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From Sheen Sidhu, serving the cities of Buena Park, Brea, and Yorba Linda:

“In celebration of Clean Air Day on October 4, I did my part to reduce air pollution and improve air quality by taking the Metrolink to work. While poor air quality impacts all of us, it can be especially dangerous for children, seniors, and individuals with health conditions like asthma. By taking the train, I eliminated the daily tailpipe emissions that I would normally produce by driving to work. To continue my efforts in improving air quality, I plan to travel via public transit when possible. I encourage everyone to take action, no matter how big or small, towards improving our air quality. It can be as simple as changing your air filter at home or in your vehicle to ensure that you and your loved ones are breathing clean air.”

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2024 Edison Scholars Application

Every year, Southern California Edison awards $50,000 scholarships to 30 high school seniors who want to make a difference in the world by studying science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) in college. Applications for this year’s Edison Scholars is now open through January 23, 2024. Apply here.

Eligibility and Requirements:

• Must be a high school senior with at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Must plan to pursue studies in the STEM fields at a four-year accredited college or university and show financial need
  • Eligible STEM majors include computer and information systems, engineering, engineering technology, management information systems, mathematics, natural resources and conservation, and physical sciences
• Applicants must live in Southern California Edison’s service area
• Top 50 finalists will be required to submit a short video and potentially participate in a final interview
• Dependents of Edison International and SCE employees and retirees are not eligible

2024 OCTA Transit Vision Master Plan

Help OCTA expand and enhance public transportation services in Orange County! The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is developing the 2024 OC Transit Vision Master Plan (OC Transit Vision), which aims to integrate, enhance, and expand transportation services in Orange County. This study will build upon the previous 2018 plan and other recent studies to establish a framework for future transit investments to include bus, streetcar, micro-transit (e.g., community shuttles), and more across the county.

To get involved:

Participate in the Online Survey

Take the survey by November 17 for a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards.
 

Learn more about the plan and how you can get involved by visiting octa.net/OCTransitVision.

 

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Cypress College Career Closet

The Career Planning and Workforce Development Center's Career Closet provides Cypress College students with a free professional outfit each academic year. The Center accepts donations of dress shirts, pants, dresses, blazers, shirts, ties, and more. Students, don’t forget to bring your student ID!

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Boss Moms Training Program

In partnership with the Orange County Women's Business Center, the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center is hosting its newest female-focused startup program, “Boss Moms.” Register here.

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