November 2018 Newsletter
 This past July, I was proud to welcome attendees to the 2020 Census Convening event in San Diego. |
After Election Day, the clock will start ticking on another hugely important matter of public policy: the 2020 U.S. Census. Most Americans don’t realize just how important the Census is to effective governing. It paints a picture of America - who we are, what we look like, and what our needs are - and that picture is a key factor in determining the distribution of political power and resources in our country.
Not only does the Census shape our local, state and congressional representation; it also decides California’s share of approximately $600 billion in funds to state and local governments for education, Medicaid, and other health programs, highways, housing, law enforcement and much more.
If we want an accurate picture - one that truly reflects who we are as a nation and gives each of us a voice in our democracy - we need a complete count of every person who calls America home.
For most of American history, the Census has been a relatively ordinary, nonpartisan exercise. The Constitution calls for a periodic count of every person in America, and the Census has been conducted every decade since 1790, mostly without controversy.
But this time, things are different. The federal government wants to add a citizenship question for every American household for the first time in nearly 70 years. On the surface, that sounds straightforward enough. But if you read between the lines, it is clear this decision could have devastating consequences.
In this national political climate, marked by fear and disdain for immigrants reminiscent of some of the darkest chapters in American history, adding a citizenship question would undoubtedly result in lower response rates for immigrant communities, undocumented or otherwise.
This cynical effort is being challenged in federal court. But no matter the end result of those lawsuits, we need to start preparing now to ensure all Californians are counted, our voice in Congress is protected, and we don’t lose out on billions of dollars in federal funding vital for our communities.
California stands to lose more than any other state if we don’t have a thorough Census. We have more “hard to count” communities than any other state, including people of color, immigrants and families in rural communities. Kids are especially vulnerable; about 4.5 million young children live in neighborhoods with a high risk of an undercount. Records show the last U.S. Census failed to count almost 1 million children younger than age 5. In order to give our kids the support they need in our schools, health care systems and countless other areas, we need to make sure they are counted.
If we don’t get an accurate count of all California residents, in addition to a loss of federal funding, we could potentially lose a seat in Congress, meaning our most vulnerable communities would have even less representation.
Fortunately, time is still on our side. Working closely with Governor Brown and my colleagues in the Legislature, we are taking steps to ensure we have every resource necessary to count all of our communities. But just like voting, the responsibility ultimately falls on all of us. So when you get that Census questionnaire in the mail in the coming months, I hope you will take the opportunity to make sure your family is part of the American picture.
If you have any questions about the U.S. Census, feel free to email me or call my office. You can email Senator.Atkins@sen.ca.gov or call 619-645-3133.
In 2012, voters approved Proposition 39 which has generated millions of dollars for clean-energy projects in our schools during the first five years.
Since those five years ended in 2018, it’s a good time to let you know how much funding from the program has gone to local schools. Throughout San Diego County, more than $117 million has been invested from Prop. 39, resulting in an estimated $10.2 million in annual energy-cost savings and allowing school districts to invest more in educational priorities rather than paying energy bills.
All or part of nine school districts fall within my legislative district. Here is how much they have received through Prop. 39:
- San Diego Unified School District: $25,970,101.10
- Poway Unified School District: $7,462,253
- Grossmont Union High School District: $4,162,632
- San Dieguito Union High School District: $2,549,362
- Escondido Union High School District: $1,854,735
- Del Mar Union School District: $889,159
- Coronado Unified School District: $636,727
- Solana Beach Elementary School District: $634,408
- San Pasqual Elementary School District: $257,500
Projects eligible for Prop. 39 funding include (but are not limited to) repairs to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems; new chillers, boilers and furnaces; new lighting and lighting-control systems; installation of energy-efficient windows, programmable thermostats and thermal window shades; and on-site clean-energy generation, such as solar photovoltaic systems.
The state Legislative Analyst’s Office estimated that Prop. 39 would result in 40,000 additional jobs.
Find more information on Prop. 39. Thank you for your investments in clean energy, good jobs and our schools!
 That's my dad on the right. |
Veterans Day carries considerable weight for me, given my family’s deep involvement in the U.S. Armed Forces. My father, two brothers, sister, brother-in-law, uncles, cousins and two nephews have served in the many branches of the Armed Forces. So you see, service to country runs deep in my family.
That’s partly why serving veterans is such a high priority for me as a legislator. For example, I’m proud to have worked closely with then-Assembly Speaker John Perez while I was Majority Leader in support of the legislation that placed Proposition 41 on the June 2014 ballot.
Approved by voters, Prop. 41 repurposed $600 million in existing bonding authority to create new affordable housing for homeless veterans. To date, more than $250 million from Prop. 41 has been used to create housing for more than 2,000 California veterans, including 243 in San Diego County in five new housing developments.
So far there have been three rounds of funding awards for projects that serve veterans. The fourth round of awards will be announced in mid-November. In this round, $75 million is available, and no less than 6 percent of the funding is targeted for projects in San Diego County.
I also want to ensure that each and every military veteran has access to the services and benefits that she or he has earned. To that end, here are some useful phone numbers and websites:
California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet): 800-952-5626, (the California Veterans Resource Book is available online for download - veterans can also contact my district office if they’d like a hard copy)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA): 800-827-1000
VEText: The Veterans Health Administration has this interactive mobile solution to remind veterans of upcoming VA health care appointments via text. For a preview of VEText messaging, text DEMO to 909-245-9443.
VA San Diego Health Benefits & Enrollment Team: Please visit your local Benefits and Enrollment office or apply online.
Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
2-1-1 San Diego Courage to Call: To speak with a fellow veteran who knows what it means to serve and can connect you with help, dial 2-1-1 or click the chat button on the website.
County Veterans Service Office: Contact the veteran’s service office nearest you.
To all those who have served our great country in the Armed Forces, I cannot thank you enough. The sacrifice that you and your families have made will be foremost in my thoughts this November 11.
32nd Annual San Diego Veterans Day Parade
“Lift Your Voice For Veterans!”
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 10
North Harbor Drive, San Diego
www.sdvetparade.org
 Operation Gobble, 2017 |
I love autumn - not only because it’s when our legislative session is over and I get to return home to reconnect with my communities, but also because it means Thanksgiving is right around the corner!
Thanksgiving is wonderful thanks to the four Fs: friends, family, football and food! And it’s wonderful because it gives us an opportunity to reflect on all we have to be grateful for. I’m thankful to be in a position to support and empower others, and there are two ways I do that.
First, I participate each year in Operation Gobble, where I assist California American Water as they donate turkeys to charitable organizations across the state, and, in turn, those organizations provide the turkeys to struggling families. This year, we will provide 200 turkeys to a dozen nonprofits.
Second, whenever I’m able, I help serve up food at the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner for the LGBTQ community - last year, we served approximately 250 people.
If you’re in a position to help, I urge you to seek out opportunities to volunteer for, or donate to, organizations that serve struggling families and individuals.
However you choose to celebrate, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!
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I have always believed in the importance of a healthful meal. Sadly, obtaining fresh food is a challenge for many families living in disadvantaged communities who may not have access to food retailers, or may not have the budget to pay for healthy options for meat products, produce and other essential groceries.
That’s why I was happy to learn about the launch of the SDCEats Farm to Family Fair on November 7 from noon to 3 p.m. at San Diego Continuing Education’s Educational Cultural Complex, 4343 Ocean View Blvd. in the Mountain View neighborhood of San Diego.
The fair will be held on the first Wednesday of every month, allowing community members to connect with local businesses, access free services, pursue job training, as well as take advantage of the free food distribution.
If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Rubalcaba, dean of student equity at San Diego Continuing Education.
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My district staff is always available to help constituents navigate a complex web of state agencies.
Recently, a constituent - a local physician - who had been unable to log in to the California CURES (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System) website contacted my office for help after having no luck with the website’s help desk. We connected with the Attorney General’s office, which oversees the website, and successfully got the doctor’s account working again.
If you’re having trouble working out an issue with any state agency, please call my office at 619-645-3133, and my staff will do everything in their power to help.
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My District Staff |
Where to Find Me Online
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My district office is located at 1350 Front St., Room 4061, San Diego, CA 92101.
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