Senator Newman’s September 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Around this time of year, our kids and teachers have just headed back to school. As a father of a seven-year-old who (thankfully, at least for now, knock on wood) seems to really love school, I’ve recently seen firsthand how the back-to-school season is an exciting time for both students and their parents. If you have children heading off to school once more, I hope you’re enjoying those quiet moments after they leave, and the joyous afternoons when they return home.

However fun and exciting learning at school can be, the days can often be long and, at times, challenging for our little ones. An extensive body of research has shown that unstructured play time is an essential ingredient for promoting the health and well-being of children, and it helps get the “wiggles” out so that students can come back to class more focused and ready to learn.

This is one of the reasons why during this year’s legislative session, I authored SB 291, also known as the “Recess for All” bill. SB 291, when passed, would ensure that all California students in grades K-6 would be assured of at least 30 minutes of recess each school day, and stipulates that taking away recess time cannot be used as punishment.

As the school year gets rolling, I want to offer a special thanks to all of the teachers and school staff across District 29. You work tirelessly, day and night, to not only educate California’s children but to create a safe and nurturing space for them all, and your essential service to our community and to our society at large cannot be overstated. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, I want to always remain appreciative of your contributions and attentive to your needs, as we all work together to continually improve California’s education system on behalf of our children and the future leaders they’ll become.

As always, my office remains at the ready to assist you, take your comments, or answer your questions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my team at 714-525-2342 or https://sd29.senate.ca.gov/contact.

All the best,

Josh Newman
Senator, 29th District

 

As a quick reminder, our office is hosting a Rescue Pet Photo Competition in honor of our special furry, feathered, or scaled family members. We’ve received many wonderful submissions from SD-29 residents, often accompanied by silly anecdotes and heartwarming backstories. Here’s a quick peek at some of the submissions we’ve received:

Ninja, who has been part of the Ryburn family for over 12 years:

Solstice, a California Gopher Tortoise rescued by the Schrieber-Smiths:

Ruth Bader Ginsbark, named after Suzanne’s personal hero (and because of the spot of white under her neck on an otherwise all-black fur coat):

We’re waiting for your submission! Email your best photo of you and your rescued best friend(s) to Senator.Newman@senate.ca.gov, or DM me a picture on Instagram to @senatornewmanca. Submitted photos may be featured on our social media pages, with a collection of the best to be framed and displayed on the walls of the reception area of my Capitol office.

My team and I look forward to seeing and sharing the love our SD-29 rescue pets provide for the community.

 

Joint Forces Training Base Energy Resilience Project Ribbon-Cutting

On August 11, I had the privilege of joining a contingent of military and federal leaders, including U.S. Army Major General Matthew P. Beevers, the Adjutant General of the California Military Department; Mario Diaz, deputy undersecretary of the Army; Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Installations, Energy, and the Environment; and my colleague and friend Senator Bob Archuleta, for the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base’s Energy Resilience Project. A groundbreaking (no pun intended) public-private partnership between the California Military Department, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a company called Bright Canyon Energy collaborated on the design, buildout, and installation of a 100-acre clean energy project that can supply backup power in case of emergencies and generate renewable energy for the surrounding community. This micro grid, a first of its kind for the U.S. military, can generate enough electricity to power the base for at least two weeks. The project is an example of yet another way that California is leading the way in our transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy production.

California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Panel Participation

On August 18, I had the opportunity to participate in the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 44th Annual Statewide Convention as part of a panel entitled, “Can My Idea Become a Law?” During the session, which was viewed by a cross-section of leaders from businesses and non-profits attending the convention, we covered the nuts and bolts of the legislative process, from the introduction to the passage of a bill, as well as some of the barriers that can arise in passing legislation. It was immensely valuable to hear from small business owners across California about the challenges they face, and to discuss the important role the state legislature serves in responding to their concerns.

UCI Health’s New Medical Campus

The University of California at Irvine, which continues to lead the way as a premier research university and academic health system, recently embarked on an ambitious project which will significantly expand its medical facilities. On August 10, my staff and I received a tour of UCI Health’s new medical campus, currently under construction in Irvine, under the leadership of Chad Lefteris, UCI Health’s CEO. When completed, this cutting-edge new medical complex will complement UCI Health’s flagship medical center in Orange, offering acute care, comprehensive cancer treatment care, and an emergency department. The center’s first phase will open early next year.

NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) Robotics Competition

On August 11, I attended a truly inspiring event: the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) Robotics Competition at Cerritos College. The NCAS program is part of an initiative by NASA to expose more students to STEM-based concepts and opportunities, and by doing so, identify and groom talented students who otherwise might not have found their way to NASA or other STEM fields. As part of the 4-day engagement, students collaborate with team members to create a fictitious aerospace company vying for a NASA rover contract. Working in assigned roles, students utilize STEM-industry mentors to guide the design of a hypothetical Mars rover. In the part of the competition I attended, students from Cerritos College, College of the Desert, and SD29’s very own Cypress College were working in teams made up of a mix of students from each school to see whose rover prototype performed the best.

Along with other students, faculty, NASA representatives, and guest judges, I observed two rounds of the robotics competition, where students showcased their rovers in mock missions. It was exciting to observe alongside Cypress City Councilmember Bonnie Peat and recognize the hard work of these prospective future aerospace engineers. Thank you to Cypress College for inviting us to share in this special event.

“Schools on Point” Interview

The Los Angeles County Office of Education often hosts a 30-minute television program on current issues in education called “Schools on Point.” On August 18, I sat down in the studio with Dr. Debra Duardo, LA County Superintendent of Schools, and Elizabeth Graswich, Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications, and talked about my role as Chair of the Senate Education Committee, my priorities for public education, and some of the education-related bills that I’ve introduced during legislative sessions both past and current. It was an honor to be a guest in their studio and provide my perspectives on early childhood education, support for student diversity and health, school employee rights, and increased school funding.

 

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

It was my pleasure to recognize Stereo Brewing Company in Placentia as the 29th Senate District’s August 2023 Restaurant of the Month.

Stereo Brewing, as it’s affectionately called by regulars, is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Rick and Amanda Smets, who met while standing in line for beer at a Bob Dylan concert. Their shared love of music and craft beer culminated in the pair opening their own independent craft brewery in 2016.

Since its opening, Stereo Brewing -- comprising the brewing facility and connected tap room -- has become a lively community space offering a wide array of house-brewed beers, each with a unique name referencing one of Rick and Amanda’s favorite musicians. The brewery, which hosts food trucks and pop-up food vendors throughout the week, is also very active in bringing together the Placentia community, hosting weekly trivia, vinyl nights, and even partnering with local organizations for a semiannual dog adoption festival.

29th Senate District’s August 2023 Citizens of the Month

Congratulations to the Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations Department at the Brea Olinda Unified School District (BOUSD) for their recognition as the 29th Senate District’s “Citizens of the Month” for August 2023.

This August, the arrival of the new academic year presented an opportune time in which to honor these hardworking custodians, who spent the past several months preparing for the return of students to BOUSD’s ten campuses. It is during summer that school custodians take on the most intensive projects, including the deep cleaning and revitalization of the district’s classrooms and grounds. During the break this year, the BOUSD Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations Department also repainted much of Arovista Elementary School and installed new light panels throughout.

As members of the California School Employees Association, BOUSD’s custodians are representative of the hundreds of thousands of school personnel who work tirelessly to provide our students a first-rate public education, and I couldn’t be prouder to recognize their outstanding efforts in our community. Please join me in thanking the custodians and teachers at BOUSD, and those in districts all around, for their vital contributions toward educating California’s future leaders.

My office was first made aware of the BOUSD Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations Department’s efforts through a photographic essay completed by district employee and standout photographer at Fullerton College, George Gurrola. Included here are some of the images from his essay about the department:

 

From Erica Lucia, District Director

“On August 23, I attended Legislators Day at the AirUCI institute, home to a world-renowned research team leading the way in unpacking and solving issues of climate change, sustainability, and air pollution. After an in-depth classroom lecture, we toured six different laboratories, one of which included a demonstration of a machine that measures emissions caused by vehicle brakes and tires (pictured below).”

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

“’Back to School’ -- a phrase and time of year that brought me dread as a kid -- was made fun this year by the City of Anaheim. Organized by Anaheim City Council Member Carlos Leon and several Anaheim city departments, the City of Anaheim held a “Back 2 School Bash” on August 12 to ring in the new academic year and equip students with vital supplies including backpacks. Having attended the event myself (and eaten a burger or two), I can attest to how joyful and lively the event was. Great job to the City of Anaheim for inspiring such a sense of excitement in the community for the 2023-24 school year.”

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

“This past month I was invited to Fullerton PD, Fullerton College, and Flying Lion’s ‘Drone as a First Responder’ (DFR) pilot program demonstration by Councilmember Ahmad Zahra. It was incredible to see the adoption of commercial drones to advance the Department’s first response capability. We were shown instances in which these drones have helped law enforcement defuse intense and potentially lethal situations. As of now, the pilot program has officially ended, but it has provided very robust data that can vouch for the timesaving and potentially lifesaving use these drones can have in every city. I hope to see the adoption of this innovation across our district.”

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

“On August 10, I was able to join the Brea Olinda Unified School District Board of Education in recognizing Eleonora Segura as the district’s student board member for the 2023-24 school year. This is the district’s second year selecting a high school student within district boundaries to serve alongside elected board members as a representative of BOUSD students. This role is a unique opportunity for students to become more engaged, learn about the role of a school board, and serve as a voice for their peers. I had the opportunity to wish Eleonora a successful term and present her with a certificate of recognition for this accomplishment!”

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

“Earlier this past month, I was honored to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Technology and Health Building at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. The addition of this building will help bolster students by providing them with a state-of-the-art facility wherein they can pursue their most ambitious academic and vocational goals. Once completed, this facility will also boast the impressive feat of being the largest building on any California community college campus. Of course, none of this could have happened without the voters who mobilized to pass Measure GO in 2018 and approve state bonds that have funded this exciting development and the greater expansion of Mt. SAC.”

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

“Last month I had the opportunity to join Seesaw Beans and Coffee in Buena Park for their grand opening. As an extension of the Seesaw Communities program, which provides access to vocational training for individuals with or without developmental and intellectual disabilities, this new café serves as a dedicated space to provide hands-on instruction for program participants. While interacting with the baristas, I witnessed firsthand the positive impact of the program and the importance of providing inclusive opportunities for vocational training. I would like to give a special shout-out to all the baristas for their hard work during opening day, and wish them all the best on their future success!”

 

Grant Opportunities

 

The LA County Department of Arts and Culture is offering several grant opportunities for nonprofit organizations to administer arts and culture programs throughout the county.

More information on types of grants available, eligibility, and requirements can be found here.

SoCalGas Update: Elimination of Cash Payments in the Field

Starting August 4, 2023, SoCalGas resumed collections activity for residential customers following a three-year moratorium on disconnecting residential customers with unpaid bills due to COVID-19 hardships.

Collections are attempted by letter, email, phone, and in-person at customers’ homes. To enhance the safety of SoCalGas employees who visit customers’ homes for collection purposes, as of August 23, 2023, SoCalGas field employees will no longer accept cash, checks, or money orders for the payment of bills. However, employees may assist customers in paying their bill through a variety of options:

• My Account -- online payment portal
• Customer Contact Center -- payment arrangements
• BillMatrix -- credit card and debit card payments

Customers can always pay in person at SoCalGas payment offices or authorized payment locations, or pay by phone, email, direct debit, debit/credit card, or home banking. 

Additionally, SoCalGas continues to provide assistance options to avoid disconnections, including extended payment plans and debt forgiveness through the Arrearage Management Plan.