San Diego is home to an array of talented, hard-working, conscientious people who are dedicated to growing our economy, improving our quality of life and helping others in need. And throughout June, I'll have the privilege of honoring some of our residents, organizations and businesses for their contributions. 

First, on June 6, I will recognize ElderHelp as my choice for Nonprofit of the Year in Senate District 39. Californians are living longer, and the oldest Baby Boomers are now in their 70s. We need organizations dedicated to serving this Silver Tsunami, and San Diego's ElderHelp is one of the best.

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In 2017, the first year of the current two-year session, Governor Jerry Brown signed all 12 of my bills that were sent to him by the Legislature. The biggest of those was SB 2, creating a permanent source of funding for affordable housing. The state started collecting revenue from SB 2 this past January to address our homelessness crisis, and that funding should begin going out to communities throughout California this fall.

Here is a rundown of the legislation I have introduced in 2018:

SB 945: In 2016, Governor Brown signed my bill AB 1795, providing uninsured and underinsured Californians with expanded access to treatment for breast cancer and cervical cancer. SB 945 builds on AB 1795 by removing arbitrary time limits for care. Currently, the state Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program stops providing medical care for breast cancer after 18 months and cervical cancer after 24 months, regardless of medical need. SB 945 removes those limits and requires continuation of treatment as long as necessary. SB 945 cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate floor in May and was sent to the Assembly.

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Due in part to the prudent decision-making of the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown, California's fiscal outlook is the strongest it's been in a generation. And this year, the Senate is continuing that momentum in its proposal for the state's 2018-19 budget.

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I want to thank my most recent intern in our district office, Valentina Macchione (left). She has been incredibly valuable to my staff, and we loved having her! Valentina will graduate from Canyon Crest Academy in June and will study political science at Rutgers University in the fall. And congratulations are in order for Montana Massone (right), who has interned for me twice - most recently last fall. Graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University, she has been accepted to McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and plans to attend this fall! I have the utmost confidence in her and wish her all the best.

Once again this year, I am pleased to be leading a drive to provide hundreds of pairs of fresh socks (and underwear) for our military veterans in San Diego County who are experiencing homelessness.

San Diego's 31st Annual Stand Down will take place June 29th through July 1st. The event, sponsored by Veterans Village of San Diego, gives homeless veterans a chance to rest for several days in a welcoming environment, along with others who have shared experiences. Charitable organizations are on hand to provide comprehensive services to help participants with their various needs.

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My district staff is always available to help constituents navigate a complex web of state agencies.

Recently, my office got a call from a constituent who was concerned because her son would be without insurance after his upcoming 26th birthday, no longer eligible to be on her insurance plan. My staff let her know that her son can be enrolled in Covered California outside of an open-enrollment period if there is a qualifying life event - and turning 26 is a qualifying life event.

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