The Toni Times | January 2024
Happy New Year! I hope your December holidays were filled with joy, and that the coming year brings you nothing but the best. After all the holiday festivities and family gatherings in December, we are now getting back on track to a different kind of busy.
This week, we begin the second part of our two-year legislative session in the Capitol. It will be great to see my colleagues again as we continue working on the “two-year” bills that are still on our agenda from last year, and prepare for the introduction of new bills addressing the concerns of the nearly 40 million Californians we represent. As always, one of our top priorities will be putting together the state’s budget. With revenue projections below what were anticipated, it will be another tough budget year. But thanks to responsible budgeting, the record reserves we built up and an economy that’s in overall strong shape, it is a challenge we can meet and still avoid harmful “solutions” like new taxes on the middle class our cuts to vital state services. We’ll continue to know more as the budget process continues and new revenues come in after the April tax deadline, and the Senate will adapt our budget proposals to address new information.
January of course brings the holiday set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2024 we are only five years away from the centennial of MLK’s birth. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of MLK receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in furtherance of the civil rights movement. As we take time to honor MLK this month we must recommit to his dream—keeping our “eyes on the prize” of true equality that still seems so elusive all these decades later. It is a shame there are still forces working to deny the history and the reality of structural injustices that still harm so many Americans.
January also brings to mind the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. On January 22, it will be 51 years since that landmark decision, which was so unconscionably overturned by the current Supreme Court. Though California voters took care to enshrine reproductive rights in our State Constitution, and voters in other states have followed suit, efforts to encroach on these rights—up to and including a possible nationwide ban—remain real threats. 2024 is a good time to remember we must remain vigilant and active if we are to protect our rights.
Later on in the newsletter there’s some information about new laws that are taking effect as of today, and I’ll be sure to keep you posted on the new bills I introduce this session, as well as other legislation of interest introduced by my colleagues. I’m sure the next few months will fly by like usual!
As you may have heard, my term as President pro Tem of the Senate will end in February, when I will be succeeded by Senator Mike McGuire who represents California’s North Coast. Also, my term as State Senator for the 39th Senate District will come to an end in December. Serving in these roles has been an honor beyond words, and I will keep working for the people and communities I represent right up to the last minute—and beyond.
Here’s to a great 2024—Let the Resolutions begin!
Today marks not only the start of a new year, but many new laws going into effect. Those include important new laws addressing homelessness, infrastructure, climate, housing, public safety, and health care. Three of my bills also go into effect today, with one becoming fully operational in July of this year.
- Senate Bill 385 – Beginning today, there is a clear pathway for physician assistants to access aspiration abortion training, thereby widening access to abortion services and decreasing burdensome wait times by increasing the number of practitioners available to provide this critical reproductive care.
- Senate Bill 487 – California health care providers performing abortion of gender-affirming care services can now support Californians without fear of penalties from Medi-Cal or health insurers under Senate Bill 487. This law further protects providers by prohibiting automatic suspension of a provider from the Medi-Cal program if they are suspended by a Medicaid program in another state solely for performing abortion or gender-affirming care services. SB 487 also protects providers who contract with commercial health plans from being discriminated against for providing these services. The bill does not shield a provider from facing suspension or other consequences for any other wrongful or illegal acts, as determined through existing law.
- Senate Bill 519 – This legislation, which increases transparency and accountability for local detention facilities as it relates to in-custody deaths, also went into effect today and will become fully operational on July 1. The law makes public the investigatory reports conducted by a sheriff’s office of an in-custody death, and creates a statewide Director of In-Custody Death Review at the Board of State and Community Corrections.
And I’d be remiss to not mention the law enacted last year that will help ‘bridge’ compassion and understanding throughout California and our nation. Senate Bill 447, the BRIDGE Project, was signed into law on September 13. The law lifted California’s travel ban and created in its place a fund to create non-partisan, inclusive messaging, discourage discrimination, and help members of the LGBTQ+ community feel less isolated.
Covered California open enrollment continues until the end of the month! You have until January 31 to enroll in health insurance that begins February 1. Find out more about your eligibility, options, financial assistance, and how to sign up at CoveredCA.com.
As you prepare to file your taxes this year, take a moment to see if you are one of the millions of Californians who qualifies for the California Earned Income Tax Credit. The CalEITC, which I’m proud to have created and expanded, helps working families keep more of their hard-earned money. If you have a lower income, work, and are at least 18 years old or have a qualifying child, you may be eligible. If you don’t have a social security number, don’t worry—taxpayers with an ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number) are eligible, too.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to keep more of your money in your wallet. Learn more about the tax credit and see if you’re eligible by visiting CalEITC4Me.
This year, Team Toni celebrated the giving season by partnering with California American Water and the San Diego Food Bank to donate 200 boxes of food, bags of produce, and turkeys to our San Diego neighbors in need.
The boxes included ingredients and supplies for making holiday meals, and it was wonderful to be able to connect with people in our community and spread some holiday cheer. Coming from a family that struggled to make food dollars stretch, I’m especially mindful of what this kind of support can mean for individuals and families.
I’m sincerely grateful to the nonprofit organizations that helped support this effort, including the San Diego Food Bank, California American Water, Being Alive San Diego, Christie’s Place, Just in Time for Foster Youth, the San Diego LGBT Community Center, San Diego POZabilities, Stepping Stone of San Diego, Support the Enlisted Project, and Walden Family Services. Thank you for supporting San Diegans in need, and for all you do for our community.
Growing up in poverty in southwestern Virginia, housing issues are personal to me. Everyone deserves a stable, safe, and affordable place to live. There are more of us than ever before working together to end homelessness. I was honored to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.
In the New Year, we will remain focused on the Human Rights Campaign’s three-prong mission to mobilize, educate, and advocate for equality. Thank you to HRC San Diego for including me in your holiday festivities!
This month, the California Commission on the State of Hate held the first of their statewide community forums in San Diego. Their work is crucial as we see a proliferation of hate groups and increases in antisemitism and Islamophobia. Together, we will continue taking a stand against hatred.
Rady Children's Hospital is a leader in innovative Primary Care Mental Health Integration. I met with staff to discuss their pilot program addressing mental health concerns in youth. Mental healthcare is healthcare, and is important at every stage of life.
Far too many lives have been lost to AIDS since the first case was reported 40 years ago. Team Toni participated in the World AIDS Day Tree of Life Ceremony honoring those we’ve lost. Thank you to Mama’s Kitchen for hosting this meaningful annual gathering and for your decades of service to people with AIDS.
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