The Toni Times | July 2021

July 1, 2021

A Note from Toni

Capitol Building

 

July is when the nation celebrates the Fourth of July and the promise sparked in 1776, and it’s when we celebrate PRIDE in San Diego--whose theme this year is Resilient, which resonates in so many different ways. This year, both of those celebrations, and the warm summer weather, are taking place while we are all trying to navigate the new realities of a reopening California.

July 1 is also the start of the new fiscal year, and in Sacramento a new fiscal year means a new state budget. This year’s is one of the best ever, reflecting responsible planning and making vital investments in California’s future. That includes continued stimulus funding for vulnerable individuals and families, help for the small businesses who are so important to our state’s economy, and increased financial support for housing, homelessness, climate change and other critical issues. As I write this, negotiations are continuing on additional funding for wildfires and childcare, two of the final pieces of this historic and transformative budget. You can find a lot of good information about the budget here.

For tenants affected by the pandemic, the good news is we extended the eviction moratorium that was slated to expire June 30th. For more information about the program and how to take part, go to Housing.ca.gov.

With the legislative session ending in September, July will also be busy with meetings on many important bills whose fate will be decided in the coming weeks. That includes SB 2, which I am co-authoring to advance vital criminal justice reforms, and SB 1, the sea level rise bill I’ve been working on with support from partners in the region, like the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. SB1 just passed out of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on a 9-0 vote. As the Senate’s Housing Package awaits action in the Assembly, we will continue to meet with housing advocates and stakeholders to ensure these important bills become law. July is such a great time for family events, I’m excited about how my own bill, SB 9, will help more families, including multiple generations, all celebrate together in their new homes. It passed the Assembly Housing Committee on June 22 on a 5-1 bipartisan vote and now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. You can learn more about what the bill does here.

Of course, this July feels even busier as we continue with reopening California, and more places fully open up and more people are interacting in a wider variety of settings.  There will plenty going on in the 39th Senate District in July, including the opportunity to honor our Nonprofit of the Year, Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. You can read more about their amazing work and, in particular, how their efforts were nothing short of heroic during COVID-19, later on in the newsletter.

Whether it’s busy, blissful, or both, I hope you have a great July. Happy Fourth! Happy Pride! And, from Joey and Mia, Happy Dog Days of Summer!

 

Eviction Moratorium Extended

Housing is Key


While California continues to emerge from the pandemic, many families still face financial hardships. My colleagues and I have been working hard to extend the evictions moratorium we passed last fall and continued again earlier this year to ensure that Californians do not lose the safety net keeping them in their homes. I am glad we could reach an agreement and pass AB 832 before this critical measure expired.

It’s important to note that this legislation extends California’s eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021 in order to leverage over $5 billion in federal rental assistance funding to provide direct assistance to tenants and landlords.

This eviction moratorium extension also expands previously enacted legislation by doing the following:

  • Increases reimbursement percentages to 100% for both debt owed and prospective payments.
  • Automatically increases previously-issued rental assistance payments to 100%.
  • Allows payment directly to tenants to recover 100% of rental arrears when landlords do not participate in the program.
  • Authorizes payments to landlords and tenants where the tenant no longer occupies a unit but still owes back rent.
  • Ensures that a landlord attempts to secure rental assistance before a court may initiate an eviction proceeding against a tenant in COVID-19 nonpayment cases.

If you are experiencing a financial hardship due to the pandemic, the COVID-19 Tenant Relief and Housing Act could protect you. To learn more about the program offered in the City of San Diego, please visit the Housing Commission website or San Diego County’s online resources.

 

Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank Named 2021 Nonprofit of the Year

San Diego Food Bank

 

Each year, I have the honor of recognizing one nonprofit from the 39th Senate District that has done outstanding work for the community. This past year was unlike any other, and so many nonprofits stepped up to help those in need. Having experienced food scarcity and insecurity growing up, I consider food support one of the most important services we can provide. My family benefited from community breakfast clubs as well as free and reduced lunches at school. It was difficult for my hard-working parents to accept assistance, but it sustained us. That is why I have selected the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank as this year’s Nonprofit of the Year. Their dedicated staff, volunteers and partners met the crushing demand of food insecurity that was caused by COVID-19. Their efforts were nothing short of heroic. I invited Chris Carter, Vice President of Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs at the Food Bank, to write a guest article about this past year’s efforts. – Toni

By Chris Carter

On behalf of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank’s board of directors, staff, volunteers and those we serve every day, we are deeply humbled to be recognized by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins as the 2021 Nonprofit of the Year in association with the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits).

This esteemed award honors the Food Bank’s staff, volunteers and supporters who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis since the pandemic reached San Diego County in mid-March of last year. Since that time, the Food Bank has nearly doubled the number of people served monthly from 350,000 to 600,000, and we have distributed over 71 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 59 million meals from mid-March 2020 to June 2021.

 In order to meet the increased demand for food assistance and to serve our clients more quickly, safely and efficiently, the Food Bank quickly pivoted to adapt our distribution model by introducing contactless food distributions with ‘drive-thru’ lanes and ‘walk-up’ kiosks for the safety of our volunteers and service population.

In July 2020, the Food Bank launched our Super Pantry Program. Currently, thirty-five Super Pantries, strategically located throughout San Diego County, are operating as high-volume distribution hubs, open throughout the week for families to receive food assistance with little or no wait times to ensure client dignity.

Despite the recent improvements in the economy and the lifting of California’s pandemic restrictions, tens of thousands of families in San Diego County continue to struggle with food insecurity and will rely on help from the Food Bank. Many of these families are struggling with back rent, household debt, food price inflation, low-wage jobs, and the region’s high cost of living. Thanks to our donors, we will continue to provide enhanced food assistance programs to families in need as the post-pandemic economic recovery begins. 

The Food Bank’s mission continues, and with this award, we recognize the Food Bank’s committed staff, family of volunteers, our donors and supporters who make our vital mission possible. We are honored by this prestigious award, and we recognize Senator Pro Tempore Atkins along with her staff for their tireless work advocating for hunger-relief programs across the State of California.

 

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Honorees and San Diego Pride


From left to right: Connor Maddocks, Larry Baza, George Murphy

 

In celebration of Pride Month, the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus honors extraordinary Californians who have helped advance equality and representation for the LGBTQ community.  This June, we recognized 12 individuals on the Senate floor, including three from San Diego, with two iconic leaders being honored posthumously.

  • Connor Maddocks is a longtime civil rights advocate, working on behalf of San Diego’s transgender community, and a recipient of the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Award. He has worked with the San Diego LGBT Community Center and the San Diego TRANS Masculine Discussion group to advance civil rights and equality. He was recently appointed to Mayor Todd Gloria’s newly formed LGBTQ Advisory Group.
     
  • Larry Baza was a San Diego native who passed away in February. He had a remarkable history of civil rights work, including participating in the early days with the United Farm Workers and the first stirrings of the LGBTQ equality movement. More recently, Larry served as the Chair of the California Arts Council, a role that allowed his passion for the arts to have statewide impact.
     
  • George Murphy was also posthumously honored. Active in all areas of our community, George was an inspiration to many of us over the years. He was instrumental in the creation of our LGBT Community Center, LAMBDA Archives, the AIDS Foundation, and he was involved in the development of countless cornerstones of San Diego’s LGBTQ community.
     
Celebrate PRIDE

 

I also want to wish a very Happy Pride to the San Diego LGBTQ Community, and our allies. This year’s theme is “Resilient.” Resilience is at the core of our community, and truly defines our spirit.

While there won’t be the traditional festival and parade this year, San Diego Pride has 21 events happening throughout July. I am honored to be attending She Fest and the Spirit of Stonewall Rally in person! For details on Pride events, visit their website.

 

Supreme Court Rules to Keep Affordable Care Act in Place

Supreme Court

 

Last month, over 31 million families across the country were able to breathe a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court issued a decision that keeps the Affordable Care Act in place and protects the low-cost or free healthcare available through it. While the ruling was made on procedural grounds, not the merits of the law, the result was the same—victory. In California, we have embraced the ACA, expanding on it to provide benefits to more families and young people, regardless of immigration status or income. With this decision, our work to ensure more Californians can count on this coverage will continue unencumbered. This also means young adults can stay on their parent’s insurance until they are 26 and subscribers are protected from being denied coverage due to a preexisting condition.

If your family needs health coverage, I strongly urge you to visit CoveredCA.com, California’s insurance marketplace, to see your options. Covered California has extended their special-enrollment period through the end of the year, but there’s no need to wait—you can sign up as early as today. Plus, thanks to the American Rescue Plan, thousands of Californians who enroll through the marketplace will see a lower monthly bill, even folks who may not have qualified for financial support in the past. Shop plans available to you at CoveredCA.com or call (800) 300-1506. You or your children may also be eligible for free Medi-Cal coverage

 

San Diego Makes History as Part of NASA Mars Rover Mission

Mars Rover
Mars Ingenuity Chopper on Mars, Photo Courtesy NASA/JPL

 

One year ago this month, NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover launched from Earth. Today, 170 million miles away from the 39th Senate District, the hard work of San Diegans is making history on the Red Planet!

Engineers, scientists, and local businesses from the region have provided critical infrastructure to the Rover’s mission, which is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The Rover, and one tiny but mighty helicopter named Ingenuity, landed on Mars in February. Onboard the Rover were five cameras provided by Malin Space Systems of Sorrento Valley. For the first time, we were able to see images of that descent to Mars. Those cameras are also documenting the journey of the Rover each day since its landing, including the now eight historic flights by the helicopter on Mars. Qualcomm engineers designed what is called the “heart and brains” of the craft - navigation, stability and other functions using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon technology. This craft is the first ever to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet

In addition, graduates from both SDSU and UCSD are part of the Rover’s mission teams, and UCSD and USD have alumni who serve as NASA astronauts, including those training for next mission to the Moon. I applaud our region’s collaborative spirit as we reach for the stars.

 

Around the District: : Saying Farewell to Public Servants


Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside many dedicated public servants who make our communities stronger by giving back. This month, three people who have served vital roles to our region are retiring. I wanted to say a little about each one.


Chancellor Constance Carroll, San Diego Community College District

Chancellor Constance Carroll

 

It has been a true honor of knowing and working with Chancellor Constance Carroll of the San Diego Community College District. I think about the past 17 years of the Chancellor’s service, and the thousands upon thousands of students who were able to get the education they needed to accomplish their dreams. Not just here in San Diego, but throughout California. The Chancellor has welcomed innovative and bold ideas, including:

  • The creation of the California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Association, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance and opportunities for the state’s 116 community colleges;
  • She launched the San Diego Promise Program in 2016 to boost student success by providing individualized support, educational plans and two years of tuition assistance. Today, that program is benefiting thousands of San Diego students each academic year;
  • Now, she is serving on the College Promise National Advisory Board, to grow this opportunity at the national level.

Constance, we are forever grateful for your leadership, appreciative of your innovation in education, and congratulate you on your retirement.


    Darcy Pavich, Veterans Village of San Diego

    Darcy Pavich

     

    Darcy Pavich has retired from her position as Chaplain and Stand Down Director for the Veterans Village of San Diego, after a stellar 23-year career with the program. We have worked together as partners for many years to assist our veterans in need in San Diego. Stand Down is a nationally recognized program that helps military veterans overcome homelessness and related challenges. More than 200 other cities have modeled their events after her program! A decorated Veteran of the U.S. Navy and former Veteran of the Year by the County of San Diego and 78th Assembly, I wish Darcy and her husband Al the very best. Thank you for all you’ve done for our military community.


      George Biagi, City of San Diego

      George Biagi

       

      A trusted member of #TeamToni, from my days on San Diego City Council, George Biagi spent 25 years in service to the City of San Diego. That includes working alongside six Mayors, two Interim Mayors, five City Attorneys and 46 City Councilmembers! He spent his first 10 years in the District 3 Office, first for then-Councilmember Christine Kehoe and then for me as Communications Director. On June 16, George retired from his role as Deputy Director of Legislative Services, and it was declared “George Biagi Day” in the City of San Diego. He is well-known for going the extra mile for staff, colleagues and the community. Congratulations, my friend, on a well-deserved retirement.

       

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