The Toni Times | July 2023
Rabbit Rabbit! There is an old superstition that if the first thing you say on the first day of the month is “Rabbit Rabbit” you’ll have good luck all that month. I don’t know if it works for writing, but I thought I’d give it a shot.
Welcome to July! Can you believe the year is already halfway over already? Of course, July is the month we celebrate our nation’s independence, and I’ve asked a special guest columnist to weigh in on that below. I hope you have a wonderful time honoring the start of our fabulous-albeit-flawed-at-times country.
July 1 means it is the start of the new fiscal year, and California’s fiscal year is kicking in with a responsible spending plan after Governor Newsom signed the budget the Senate and Assembly sent to him last week. This was a tougher budget year than we have faced in recent years, but we still managed to protect our progress, maintain vital services, and keep healthy reserves in case California faces worse economic news ahead. There are more details about the budget later on in the newsletter.
With the budget done (although quite frankly we’re starting the work on next year’s budget even now) our focus in Sacramento returns to legislation. So as the Senate begins considering all the Assembly bills sent to us, we’ll be working our bills through the Assembly.
One of my bills, SB 447, will be heard in its first Assembly committee hearing this month. This is the bill that would create the BRIDGE Project, which I introduced in an effort to tamp down some of the polarization we’ve been seeing in California and across the country. I was honored to have an Op-ed I wrote on the BRIDGE Project published by Teen Vogue, which has a national reputation for political savvy. There’s more on SB 447 later in the newsletter, too.
Because getting the budget over the finish line has been a pretty big lift, I’m going to take a break, sign off here, and turn it over to our guest columnist. Thanks for reading, Happy Fourth, and Happy San Diego Pride!
--Toni
A Note From Joey!
Bon jour. Je m’appelle Joseph. Je suis un Poodle Francaise (and some other breeds, so says the doggy DNA test). Actually, I’m just Joey, occasional First Dog of California and generally a good boy. Like Mom said, the Fourth of July is coming up, so when you celebrate, I’d like to ask you to do a couple of things.
First, please remember the contributions made to the American Revolution by my countryman General Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette. Second, please watch it with the fireworks. Those things hurt and they scare—pardon my French—the bejeezus out of us. Dogs, cats, you name it.
Please make sure we are inside, and maybe even play a movie for us when the noise starts. Even shelter animals get scared, so maybe drop off some food or toys for them before the Fourth—or better yet take one home! When it comes to furry companions, it turns out independence ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. And if you do happen to go to the shelter and there are bunnies, take as many as you can. I think I heard my mom mention something about rabbits and I don’t need any competition!
Thanks for reading,
Joey
An early Happy Independence Day to you! I’m looking forward to seeing our communities come together to celebrate the founding of our nation. While the ideals of liberty and equality sparked 247 years ago are still a work in progress, there is still much to celebrate and honor in the Fourth of July and the blueprint of the American Dream!
I wish you have a fun, safe, and meaningful holiday. Below are some of the events around San Diego that are family friendly and great for everyone.
Old Town San Diego 4th of July
Old Town San Diego State Historical Park
The State Historic Park will be hosting family-friendly activities and games in the Plaza de las Armas, all to the rockin' sounds of the Big Mountain Bluegrass Band. 11am-3pm July 4th.
San Diego County Fair
Del Mar Fairgrounds
July 4th is the final day to enjoy all of the San Diego County Fair’s rides, attractions, and exhibits, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate Independence Day festivities! Adult admission $20, children under 5 free.
Coronado Independence Day Parade
10am on Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA
Join Coronado City for their 74th Anniversary 4th of July parade, and stay out for the concerts from IT’S NEVER 2L8 and PHT & The Honky Tonk Nights starting at 4pm at the Coronado Golf Course 14th Fairway.
Today is the start of the 2023-24 fiscal year, and with it comes a finalized budget plan for California. On June 26, the Senate, Assembly, and Governor Gavin Newsom reached a three-party agreement on a balanced, responsible budget for our state that protects our economic progress. The $310.3 billion spending plan includes $31.7 billion in solutions to close the budget gap, and preserves $37.8 billion in General Fund Reserves. You can read my statement about the final budget agreement here.
A quick note on Protecting our Progress on healthcare affordability, access
My family didn’t have routine access to healthcare when I was growing up – and for my parents’ health, it had lasting impacts and cut their lives short far too early. Healthcare remains a budget priority for me, and it is one of the best investments our state can make.
My colleagues and I have made huge strides in recent years to expand health coverage under Medi-Cal to all, regardless of immigration status, and in this most recent budget, we ensured that $10.3 billion of increases from the Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax paid for health costs, and we protected funding meant to help offset other costs of healthcare coverage under Covered California.
The Affordable Care Act required most people to obtain health insurance or pay a tax penalty. This mandate was intended to encourage people who could afford it to purchase health insurance. When the Trump Administration undermined the federal penalty in 2019, the Legislature enacted a similar penalty with similar exemptions for those with incomes too low to be able to afford insurance. The funds were intended to be used to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Californians who purchased health insurance. While the Governor had proposed to direct that penalty funding into the General Fund, we were able to ensure that it goes into the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund. It is the legislative intent that the $165 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year – $330 million ongoing – from penalty funds will go toward lowering copays and deductibles for Covered California enrollees.
High costs deter people not only from purchasing coverage, but from seeking care when they need it. That’s care that can save lives, from routine screenings to critical tests, and my colleagues and I remain committed to ensuring that healthcare remains affordable and accessible for all.
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This month, my bill to lift California’s travel ban and replace it with a non-partisan out-of-state marketing campaign to promote inclusivity – SB 447 – will be heard by the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy.
With nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills moving through statehouses nationwide, the need for compassion and understanding is needed now more than ever. I am proud to have introduced SB 447, and I look forward to our continued work on it as it moves through the legislative process.
The BRIDGE Project also has been featured in the media lately. Read and listen to more about it here!
- Teen Vogue: The First Openly LGBTQ+ State Senator to Lead the California Legislature on Protecting Queer Youth
- Then There’s California Podcast: “Pie with the Pro Tem”
- LA Times: Forget California’s travel ban on anti-LGBTQ states. Engage instead.
- SF Chronicle: California’s travel ban to anti-LGBTQ states was always performative. It’s also harmful.
- Times of San Diego: Sen. Atkins Could Lift State Travel Ban, Replace with LGBTQ+ Outreach
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California’s LGBTQ+ Pride summer season culminates with San Diego Pride, July 8 through July 16.
The theme this year is “THRIVE!” We live in challenging times, with the LGBTQ+ community under seemingly relentless attacks, but we are a resilient and determined community, and we stand united against these threats. We will not only survive, but we will overcome, persevere, flourish and THRIVE! As we reaffirm our pride and solidarity, let’s also celebrate together our progress toward justice and equality and the diversity of our community.
Here is a line-up of some of the official events:
- She Fest, Saturday, July 8, Noon - 6 p.m. at the Hillcrest Flagpole (1500 University Avenue, San Diego) – This event that centers the diverse experiences of LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people.
- Light Up the Cathedral, Wednesday, July 12, 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (2728 6th Avenue, San Diego) – Gather with LGBTQ+ faith leaders to celebrate our faith and resilience and light up the Cathedral in rainbow colors.
- Spirit of Stonewall Rally, Friday, July 14, 6 p.m. at the Hillcrest Flagpole – This event recognizes individuals and groups who contribute significantly to the LGBTQ+ community through their leadership, activism and philanthropy. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients:
- Champion of Pride – Christynne Lili Wrene Wood
- Community Grand Marshal – The Drag Community
- Stonewall Service – TransFamily Support Services
- Hero of Pride – Dr. Carlton Thomas
- Community Service – Naya Marie Velazco
- Larry T. Baza Arts & Culture – Lindsey Deaton
- Friend of Pride – Judith Vaughs
- Light of Pride – Temple Emanu-El
- Pride Parade, Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m., starting at the Hillcrest Flagpole and ending at Balboa Park – One of the biggest Prides in the United States, with over 300 contingents, our annual parade in San Diego is expected to attract over 300,000 people!
- Pride Festival, Saturday, July 15, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday, July 16, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Marston Point, Balboa Park – Highlighting the best in LGBTQ+ entertainment, interactive exhibits, cultural presentations, and community resources.
For more information about San Diego Pride activities, go to sdpride.org
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The Jamul Indian Village uplifts their community and the San Diego region by investing in community infrastructure and providing educational opportunities, healthcare and housing. It was great to meet with Chairwoman Erica Pinto and Vice Chairman Michael Hunter this month.
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I was honored to recognize Sandy Kerl’s 41 years of public service and wish her well in retirement! While guiding the San Diego County Water Authority through the COVID pandemic, she remained committed to diversifying and empowering the Authority’s workforce and enhancing relations with its member agencies.
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Foster children face an uphill battle to achieve their full potential. I was pleased to secure a $1.4 million dollar grant in last year’s state budget to aid San Diego College of Continuing Education and Promises2Kids in providing higher education opportunities for San Diego youth who age out of the foster system.
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