Red Ribbon Week -- October 23rd to 31st, delivers a strong anti-drug message to school children nationwide. I strongly support this annual program, and once again this year my office is distributing thousands of Red Ribbon certificates to students throughout the 75th Assembly District.
The 2023-2024 regular session of the Legislature adjourned August 31st. For better or worse, over the past two years we’ve debated 4,821 bills. This year, over 1,200 bills passed both houses and were sent to the Governor. He vetoed 15.7%. And last year, 1,100 bills reached the Governor, and his veto rate was 14.9%.
We’ll soon have another tool to help reduce the ongoing threat of wildfires. My bill, AB 1819, passed both houses of the Legislature without opposition, and was signed into law by the Governor September 22nd.
The State Legislature adjourned for the year August 31st, but a special session to deal with gas prices has been called. Several proposals are on the table.
San Diego County has made great strides to safeguard itself against California’s recurring drought cycle. For example, in 1991, 95% of our water was imported by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD). By 2023, only 14% of our water was imported by the MWD. Diversification efforts included building the Claude “Bud” Lewis Desalination plant in Carlsbad, increased conservation, an agreement to import water from the Imperial Irrigation District, and other measures.
The regular legislative session ended on August 31st – and a first extraordinary session was opened. The regular new legislative session will begin December 2nd, after the November election. This session a number of important bills impacting public health/safety came before the Assembly Health Committee, where I serve as Vice Chair.
During my term in the State Legislature, I’ve nominated schools throughout the 75th Assembly District to receive the Barona Education Grant. A $5,000 grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians is made available to one school in each State Senate District, each State Assembly District and from each State Executive Office Holder. Though the grants are funded by the tribe, they require an endorsement letter from elected office holders, which must accompany each application.
I am a member of the California Problem Solvers Caucus (CPSC), a bipartisan group of legislators from both houses. The Caucus promotes common sense solutions to the most pressing issues facing our state. Lately, property crime has been escalating throughout California, and the CPSC has been pressing for solutions. I’m happy to report those efforts have begun to bear fruit.
San Diego County ranks third in the nation as a center for the Life Science industry after Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area. As Vice Chair of Assembly Health Committee and a member of the Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology, I advocate for affordable and accessible life saving innovations that enhance the quality of life for millions of patients.
Summer and fall are peak fire season. Recent fires include the Nixon Fire in Riverside County, along with the Park Fire in Northern California. And most of us remember the Cedar, Witch, Cocos, Guejito, Rice and Lilac fires that devastated much of the county. Fortunately, important lessons have been learned.