This past Wednesday, I watched as Governor Jerry Brown signed his 16^th and last budget for the state of California. As the Senate Leader, I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish for the people of our state.

The Governor's current tenure began the same year I joined the Legislature, and crafting that first budget was an awful experience that I hope no one ever has to endure again. We were forced to make drastic cuts in important programs in order to close a nearly $27-billion deficit.

As the economy rebounded from the Great Recession, we gradually restored many of those decimated programs and began saving money in reserve to make it easier to absorb the shock of the next downturn.

Read more

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, which created a permanent source of funding for affordable housing. The first-year funding for SB 1 – estimated at $250 million – is currently being collected and will soon be distributed to San Diego and all other regions across California. 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 Assembly Health Committee in June. Funding for the bill is included in the new state budget that takes effect on July 1.

Read more

June was a big month for celebrating the work of some very worthy San Diegans at the state Capitol. Clockwise from top left: retired Army Major Veronica Zerrer, Veteran of the Year; Deb Martin of ElderHelp, Nonprofit of the Year; Phyllis Jackson (San Diego Pride), Alberto Cortes (Mama's Kitchen), Terry Cunningham (California HIV/AIDS Research Program) and Deb Martin (ElderHelp), as well as Benjamin Dillingham (political organizer, in memoriam) for their work in the LGBTQ community; and Jon Bailey and Indra Gardiner Bowers of i.d.e.a., the Small Business of the Year. Congratulations and thank you to all of the honorees!

On June 21, I had the pleasure of hosting an event to honor more than a dozen small businesses throughout the 39^th District. Small businesses power our economy and help create the character of our communities, and I couldn't be more grateful for everything they do. Thank you to 37ECB school in San Diego for providing the wonderful venue, Venice Pizza House for providing the delicious food and the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement District for all of their assistance.

Read more

I am once again extremely excited to join many thousands of San Diegans in celebrating LGBT Pride!

This year's festivities are special to me, as 2018 is the first Pride that I celebrate as President pro Tem of the California Senate. I am honored beyond words to be the first member of the LGBTQ community to serve in this position, and I am forever mindful that it is due to the persistence of so many activists and advocates that I have the opportunity to do so. It is my goal every day to represent our community with hard work, honor and integrity.

Read more

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

But sometimes the assistance we provide is much simpler, but no less important. For example, recently, a 90-year-old woman who was having difficulty with the phone she received through the California LifeLine Program visited our office seeking help, and two members of my staff sat down with her and helped her activate the LifeLine service and navigate the phone itself. Constituent support doesn't get more direct than that!

More information

More photos