October 2026 Newsletter

Hello, friends,

You deserve a government that listens to you, protects your rights, and invests in your community. This year, we turned those priorities into action—strengthening protections for workers, putting redistricting power in residents’ hands, and securing funding for community spaces and organizations that serve our neighbors.

I’m pleased to share that 13 of my 14 bills were signed by the Governor, and we secured more than $11.3 million in state resources for our region. In this edition, you’ll find highlights of these accomplishments and a look back at our first Silver Screens & Service event, which brought 150 local seniors together for a wonderful day of community and connection.

And with the November 3 election approaching, please return your ballot as soon as you can after receiving it. Your voice matters. Visit the California Secretary of State’s election website for voting information and resources.

Thank you for sharing your ideas, concerns, and hopes for our communities. Your voices help shape the work we do for the Inland Empire every day – and together, we’re making a real difference!

Love,
Eloise

From the Capitol: Practical Solutions and Investments for Our Communities

This year resulted in powerful measures and budget resources for Inland Empire communities. I’m proud to share that Governor Newsom signed 13 of the 14 bills I sent to his desk. Together, these bills will make government more transparent, informed by data, and accountable, while protecting access to the systems and services Californians rely on.

Here are a few highlights:

SB 1414: Putting Redistricting Power in the Hands of the People

Voters should choose their representatives—not the other way around. SB 1414 transfers responsibility for drawing San Bernardino County’s supervisorial districts from elected officials to an independent redistricting commission.

The new process will be implemented following the 2030 Census, giving residents a meaningful voice in shaping their representation through an independent, transparent process.

SB 1255: Supporting Latino Students and Their Success

A college education can open doors for a student, a family and generations to come. SB 1255, now signed into law, creates a framework for a California Hispanic-Serving Institution designation, recognizing colleges and universities committed to helping Latino students succeed.

The measure connects that recognition with meaningful goals: helping students complete their education, prepare for careers and build greater economic opportunity. For Inland Empire students and families, it is an important step toward a higher education system that recognizes their potential and supports their success.

This victory belongs to the students, educators and advocates who showed up, spoke out and worked hard to move this legislation forward. At a time of uncertainty for higher education, California is making clear that our students and their futures are a priority.

SB 951: Helping Workers Prepare for AI Displacement

As artificial intelligence changes the workplace, workers deserve time to prepare for changes that affect their livelihoods.

SB 951 expands California’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, known as the WARN Act, to cover mass layoffs tied to the implementation of artificial intelligence. It also requires regular data collection and reporting so the Legislature can track trends and respond to workers’ needs.

SB 873: Protecting Access to Our Courts

People should be able to seek justice, appear as witnesses and participate in court proceedings without fear of indiscriminate civil arrests.

SB 873 protects access to California’s courts by preventing indiscriminate civil arrests within 1,000 feet of courthouses. It requires federal immigration officials making an arrest to identify themselves and present a valid judicial warrant.

Looking Ahead: Protecting Privacy

The one bill in my package that was not signed, SB 1130, would have addressed the growing privacy concerns posed by wearable recording devices, such as Meta glasses.

The measure would have prohibited secret recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, establishing protections that would have been the first of their kind in the nation.

Protecting privacy remains a priority, and I plan to reintroduce this legislation next year.

State Budget: Investing in the Places California Communities Count On

As Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy, I had the privilege of helping shape statewide investments to strengthen wildfire prevention, protect our parks and natural resources, improve air and water quality, and build healthier, more resilient communities. These investments included $135M for cleaner heavy and medium duty trucks, $150 million to support clean air programs, and $328 million for wildfire and forest resilience, including nearly $2M for fire ignition detection technology in San Bernardino County.  

Our state budget also delivers meaningful investments in services Californians rely on every day, including $100 million for local food banks, $75 million for Dream Resource Centers at California high schools, and $150 million for additional judgeships across California, including new positions in San Bernardino County to help reduce court delays and improve access to justice.

Improving Quality of Life in Senate District 29 

Working with local governments, educators and community organizations, we secured more than $11.3 million in state resources for projects specific to our region.

These investments respond to needs you and community leaders brought forward: welcoming parks, accessible recreation, stronger public facilities and services that help families navigate difficult times.

Better Parks and More Places to Play

• Rialto — $1 million for the Tom Sawyer Aquatics Center: Supporting improvements and expansion, including a new splash pad that will give families another place to play and cool off.
• Highland — $875,000 for Highland Community Park: Improving a valued neighborhood gathering place where residents can enjoy recreation and spend time together.
• Upland — $1 million for a new Bodenhamer Neighborhood Park: Helping create a neighborhood park in an area with limited park space.
• Upland — $185,000 for Citrus and Cabrillo parks: Supporting basketball court resurfacing at Cabrillo Park and parking lot improvements at Citrus Park.
• Rancho Cucamonga — $1.7 million for Bear Gulch Park: Supporting an accessible playground, safety surfacing, shade and other improvements so more children and families can enjoy the park.
• San Bernardino — $600,000 for park restroom conversions: Supporting the City’s portable bathroom project to improve restroom access for park visitors.

Support for Young People and Families

Our budget wins also include $750,000 for the Family Assistance Program to expand crisis intervention and stabilization services for homeless minors and transition-age youth in San Bernardino County, and $500,000 for Highlander Boxing Club to strengthen youth development, mentoring, intervention and reentry services.

To help families access legal assistance, we secured $750,000 for the Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association and $576,000 for the San Bernardino Community Service Center for immigrant legal services, community outreach and education.

Together with Senator Sabrina Cervantes, we also secured $1.5 million for the CIELO Fund, an initiative of the Inland Empire Community Foundation that uplifts Inland Empire Latinos through grantmaking, research and narrative change.

Pieces of Progress

These are Pieces of Progress: individual investments that, together, help build stronger, healthier and more connected communities.

A playground where more children can participate. A place for families to cool off. Legal help when someone needs it most. Each investment is an opportunity to improve daily life for the people we serve.

We’re preparing additional materials with full details of this year’s legislative and budget accomplishments. In the meantime, visit sd29.senate.ca.gov and follow @SenEloiseReyes on social media to stay connected.

Even better, if you’ve got an idea that our team should consider for next year, use this form to tell us about it. 

From the District: Connecting Our Community

This year, we hosted our First Annual Silver Screens & Service, bringing 150 local seniors together for a day of connection, community resources and a little fun.

Our seniors have spent a lifetime helping build our communities: raising families, building careers, serving their neighbors and making the Inland Empire a place we are proud to call home. They continue to contribute so much today.

We wanted to create a day just for them—a chance to relax, connect with friends and neighbors, enjoy some popcorn and, of course, watch a great movie!

Before settling into their theater seats, guests explored a health and resource fair featuring dozens of community organizations and advocacy groups, connecting them with valuable services, information and support.

My team and I are grateful to the San Bernardino Community College District, KVCR and the many community partners who helped make this event possible. You can learn more about our partners and the event by viewing the program in the event photo gallery. 

The response from our seniors was wonderful, and we’re already looking forward to bringing Silver Screens & Service back next year!

We’re Here to Serve You

Whether you need help with a state agency, have an idea to share, or want to learn more about our work, my team and I are here for you. Visit sd29.senate.ca.gov to connect with our office.

As always, it is an honor to serve you.