The Toni Times | March 2021
 |
You’ve probably heard the old weather-related expression “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” I think we can all agree March 2020 came in like a stampede. One year later, while there are positive signs emerging, we are still facing the pandemic that has cost our nation more than half a million lives, including 50,000 of our family members, friends, and neighbors here in California. In addition to the lives we have lost, other lives have been put on hold, small businesses, families, and individuals are struggling, and many dreams and opportunities have been delayed and denied. But as tired and frustrated as we all are, we have to keep going. There is still more work for us to do, and more precautions for us to take, if we are to finally make it past the lion and put COVID-19 behind us.
It is still extremely important for us all to continue staying at home as much as possible, wearing masks, and practicing physical distancing. I know it’s tough, but we’ve gotten this far—a little more working together, a little more reliance on science, and we can get to where we need to be: safely opened schools and businesses and a state laser-focused on the economy, jobs, and housing. Of course, right now the best thing any of us can do is get vaccinated when shots are available. Information on eligibility and availability for COVID-19 vaccinations is being updated constantly. We’ve included local information and resources on vaccinations later in this email update, and you can use this Link as well.
As I shared last month, one of our very first actions in the Legislature this year was to pass SB 91 to extend the eviction moratorium we had put in place to help protect tenants and small landlords. Between our share of SB 91 funds and new federal funding announced last month, San Diego County has received more than $100 million in assistance to make available. Applications should be available in mid-March.
- For more information from the State, you can access Housing is Key.
- For details within the City of San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission has more information
- For cities within the County, you can visit this link.
SB 91 was one part of our early budget efforts to address the pandemic—these are actions the Legislature and Governor can take prior to the passage of the final state budget in June.
As part of our early budget actions on COVID-19 relief, we just passed the California State Stimulus, and I was proud to stand beside Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon as Governor Newsom signed the $7.6 billion in relief funding on Feb. 23. The legislation that has already been signed into law provides over $2 billion in grants and tax cuts for small business, including license fee waivers for bars, restaurants, barbers, and cosmetologists, as well as $600 in cash for recipients of the California Earned Income Tax Credit filers, $120 million in accelerated aid for Community College students, and $857 million in restored funding for the University of California, the California State University, and our courts. And that is not all! At press time, negotiations are continuing on additional tax cuts for businesses that have been devastated by the pandemic. When all is said and done, the total relief package will be over $10 billion.
In March we once again recognize Women’s History Month. You can read more about the 39th Senate District’s outstanding Woman of the Year, Margaret Leinen of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, later in the newsletter. Two recent appointments have increased the number of women serving the State of California. I was pleased to join my colleagues on the Senate Rules Committee to appoint San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer to the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, which administers programs to promote private investment in affordable rental housing for low-income Californians. As Senate President pro Tempore, I also had the opportunity to appoint San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe to the state’s Reparations Task Force, which was created by our new Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber, when she was serving in the Assembly. I know these two local leaders will make many important contributions to our state, and I hope you’ll join me in congratulating them on their new posts.
Finally, while March may not go out like a lamb, it will definitely go out honoring a legend: March 31 is Cesar Chavez Day, and I hope all of us, especially those of us blessed to live here in one of the world’s most beautiful and bountiful agricultural areas, will take the time to acknowledge his leadership and to recommit ourselves to his struggle for justice and equity for all workers—especially those who put food on our table. This March, we should all remember the United Farm Workers’ rallying cry ‘Sí se puede’ — It Can be Done. Meaningful words for building a movement—or overcoming a pandemic.
 |
Each March, we honor the achievements women have made, applaud the “firsts” who have blazed a new trail, and take note of the ceilings that still need to be shattered. It’s a moment to champion our progress and recognize where we still need to nudge the needle of gender parity.
This year, we have much to celebrate. Kamala Harris became our nation’s first woman Vice President. Dr. Shirley Weber became California’s first Black woman Secretary of State. The California Legislative Women’s Caucus is 37 members strong. For the first time ever, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is comprised entirely of women. And, here in our community, Nora Vargas became the first Latina to serve on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
As we also mark one year of the pandemic, I’d like to recognize the unsung ‘sheroes’ who have carried us through this difficult time. The teachers, the grocery store clerks, the moms pulling double duty as they work from home with children at their side, and, of course, the front line health care workers. Throughout March, I’ll be using my social media platforms to highlight just a few of the many incredible women in health care who are working tirelessly to ensure we’re able to get the care we need at a most critical time.
While we have much to celebrate this Women’s History Month, we cannot overlook the disproportionate toll COVID-19 has taken on women across the country. More than half of people who left the workforce since February 2020 are women and their return to pre-pandemic unemployment lags behind men, with women of color having been impacted most of all. While this piece of history carries hard truths, it’s important that we shed light on it and remedy it as we continue to help our state and nation recover from this unprecedented time.
Each year, in honor of Women’s History Month, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus hosts a “Woman of the Year” celebration to commemorate outstanding women from every Senate and Assembly district. Due to COVID, we are announcing our winners virtually, and it is my extreme honor to name Dr. Margaret Leinen, Director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as my honoree for the 39th Senate District. It is fitting as this year I am introducing Senate Bill 1, the Sea Level Rise Mitigation and Adaptation Act. The Bill would help protect against loss of life, economic harm, and environmental damage, and provide the resources that our communities need to navigate what research is telling us could be the next big climate disaster. I listen to scientists, and asked Dr. Leinen to give us a State of the Science update in her words.” - Toni
 |
By Dr. Margaret Leinen
Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego
Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences and Dean of the School of Marine Sciences at UC San Diego
While there may be uncertainty about exactly how much sea level will rise, scientists know even the minimum is a big threat to California’s coastal communities.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego opened a new chapter in climate change research in 2015 when it began the Center for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, a hub for science-based planning for the consequences of climate change that are now inevitable.
At present, the most conservative scenarios project that sea level will be 18 inches higher at the end of the century. To a beachgoer, that may sound only like the difference between water at ankle level and water reaching their knees.
In fact, however, these subtle changes will make flooding worse, leave some coastal areas permanently submerged, foul freshwater stores near the coast, and make it impossible to provide adequate drainage to some neighborhoods.
These consequences will affect every part of the state. The runways of San Francisco International Airport are at sea level now but will face episodes of partial submergence in the future. Sea-level rise will make the relentless pounding of the ocean more of a threat to coastal cliffs, where rail lines from San Diego to Santa Barbara are within yards of the ocean at several points. This leads to difficult choices between expensive preventative measures such as relocation of rail lines further inland, costs of which would be in the billions of dollars, and potentially taking the same actions only after disastrous derailments that cost lives and major infrastructure damage.
While these ramifications will play out over the coming decades, it is critical that we use the best science available to inform and prioritize decision-making now. This, along with the input of urban planners, economists, and others, will contribute to thoughtful coastal adaptation and practical solutions.
 |
Nearly 8 million people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in California, and that number continues to rise. I applaud the collaboration between the State, the County, the City, our health care partners and private partners. The issue is and continues to be one of supply to meet the need of the demand.
Currently, vaccines are being distributed to folks 65+ and health care workers, as well as childcare givers, emergency services personnel, and food or agriculture workers. And 20 percent of vaccine supplies will be designated for education workers from now on. School employees will be contacted by their school district or the County Office of Education.
On March 15, individuals aged 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk to get very sick from COVID-19 due to severe health conditions, including those with developmental or high-risk disabilities, will become eligible for the shot. Full details are available at Covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/
While we patiently wait for our turn, here are helpful links to get more information.
- MyTurn (click here)
- San Diego County (click here)
- County Office of Education (click here)
- 211: Via phone for folks 75+ without access to a computer
 |
The life’s work of farm worker and community organizer César Chávez is one that continues to impact our daily lives, and this month, we honor his legacy with a state holiday. Chávez, along with Dolores Huerta, another California labor and civil rights leader, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later the United Farm Workers union) to fight for the underrepresented, underserved populations of farm workers who make it possible for California to be the fruit basket of the world. On March 31, we remember César Chávez’s legacy of service, education and environmentalism, as well as the continued fight for justice for farm workers and laborers across this country, who are still so often denied fair treatment and livable wages.
 |
I was so pleased to join CITI, Citi Salutes, and San Diego City College to launch the Veterans helping Veterans Earned Income Tax Credit Program in San Diego. This virtual event connects two issues that are very dear to my heart: our military community and the CalEITC. One of my proudest achievements to date as an elected official was creating a state Earned Income Tax Credit to supplement the federal EITC. There’s no better place than our region for a veteran peer-to-peer program, which trains our vets to help other vets in preparing their taxes and assisting with financial coaching. For more information, contact Shana Carr, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Manager at City College scarr@sdccd.edu or by calling 619-388-3110. For more information on CalEITC, visit CalEITC4me.org.
 |
Congratulations to The Thursday Club of Point Loma. It was my pleasure to recognize them on their Centennial Anniversary. The Thursday Club Centennial President, Shelley Benoit, is pictured, proudly holding the group’s Senate Certificate of Recognition. For 100 years, this women’s group has been dedicated to philanthropy and continues to give back to our communities, despite being unable to meet in person. I appreciate all of you!
|
Social Media Corner |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |