August Newsletter
Dear Neighbor,
I hope you're having a great start to the month. Representing our community in the California State Senate is an honor that I never take for granted. Every day, my team and I are committed to listening to the people we serve, responding to the issues that matter most, and working to advance policies that strengthen our neighborhoods and improve the health and well-being of families across California.
August is one of the busiest months of the legislative year, as we work to review, debate, and vote on hundreds of bills before the Legislature’s August 31 deadline to pass legislation and send it to the Governor for consideration. If you have questions about legislation moving through the Capitol, or about any bill that may impact you, your family, or your community, please don’t hesitate to contact my office in either San Diego or Sacramento. My team and I are always here to help and to ensure your voice is heard.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
I wanted to take a moment to share a few of my priority bills that are advancing through the Legislature. From promoting healthier choices for Californians to strengthening early math education for our youngest learners, these efforts are focused on improving outcomes for families across our state:
SB 869 – Sugar Labeling on Menus
Requires chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to display a clear and conspicuous added sugar icon and accompanying text next to standard menu beverage items that contain high levels of added sugar on the menu. Click here for more information on SB 869
Addresses California’s math achievement crisis by requiring annual K-2 assessments to identify students early and provide evidence-based intervention when it matters most. By getting students on track early, the bill will help more students build the foundational math skills they’ll need for long-term success in school, work, and life. Click here for more information on SB 1067
I’ll continue sharing updates as these bills progress through the Legislature, including important hearings and key developments. You can also view my full legislative package by visiting my website here.
DISTRICT UPDATE
Community Recognitions Program
I am proud to uplift the constituents and businesses in my district through our special Community Recognitions Program. I invite you to engage with our office and nominate outstanding residents to be recognized for their contributions.
2026 Youth Leader
AROUND THE DISTRICT
College Prep Middle School Promotion Ceremony
I had the privilege of delivering the promotion speech and celebrating the achievements of an incredible group of students. College Prep Middle School has built a culture of excellence, and that is reflected in the recent recognition as a California Blue Ribbon School and California Distinguished School. Those honors are not given lightly. They are earned through dedication, high standards, innovation, strong academic achievement, and a commitment to helping every student succeed.
Cooper Family Foundation Juneteenth Event
It was a pleasure to join the Cooper Family Juneteenth Celebration, the longest-running Juneteenth celebration in San Diego. This annual tradition brings our community together to celebrate freedom, honor the resilience of those who came before us, and reflect on the work that still lies ahead. Thank you to the Cooper family for the invitation and the opportunity to speak. I’m grateful to be part of such a meaningful and inspiring celebration.
Bradley Court Expansion
Congratulations to Generations Healthcare on the groundbreaking of the Bradley Court Behavioral Health Campus expansion. This milestone reflects the commitment to expanding access to behavioral health services and strengthening care for individuals and families throughout East County.
Conservation Corps of California 50th Anniversary
Since 1976, more than 127,000 Corpsmembers have served in the CCC, contributing over 86 million hours of service in natural resource and energy conservation, emergency response, and more across California and the nation. We have a strong partnership with the CCC San Diego corpsmembers and I was happy my district was one of the of stops on the 50th Anniversary Golden State Bus Tour!
East County Economic Development Council
My staff joined the East County Economic Development Council’s Annual meeting at Grossmont College to honor outgoing board chair Bryan Shull! Thank you for your contributions to maintaining the East County EDC’s strong presence in the region.
DISTRICT EVENTS
Annual Backpack Giveaway Event
Please save the date for our upcoming Annual Backpack Giveaway and Family Resource Fair that will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Please note the earlier start time of 8am!
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Time: 8am-10am
Location: The O'Farrell Charter School
6130 Skyline Dr, San Diego, CA 92114
First come, first served backpacks stuffed with school supplies
RSVP: sd39.senate.ca.gov/backpack-giveaway-2026
SIGHTS OF SENATE DISTRICT 39
To showcase the character and vibrancy of Senate District 39, each newsletter will spotlight a neighborhood, city, or place that helps make SD39 such a great community to call home.
The San Diego History Center, located right here in Senate District 39, is a place that many residents are thankful for, including myself. This Center preserves the stories of our region, from the people who lived here to the events that shaped us. Their work helps us understand the path that led us here and the lessons that guide us to where we go next. Honoring history means learning from it and making choices that reflect our shared values.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Each month, I will spotlight a dedicated member of our team whose work helps us better serve our community every day.
Leticia has served as a scheduler in the Assembly, the Senate, and for the Lieutenant Governor. With over 10 years of experience, Leticia has enjoyed serving under Senator Weber Pierson, M.D., since October 2023, transitioning with her from the Assembly to the Senate.
As a scheduler, Leticia enjoys greeting visitors, responding to emails, and handling phone calls to help manage the high volume of meeting requests for Dr. Weber Pierson.
Leticia earned an Associate degree in Speech Communication, a Bachelor of Science in Business Communication, and a Master’s degree in Biblical Counseling. She is also a published author, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the founder of two non-profit organizations, and has previously hosted both radio and television programs.
Leticia enjoys traveling with her husband Don of 23 years.
HEALTH SPOTLIGHT
#RethinkTheDrink
As a physician, I’m proud to share this month’s Health Spotlight, highlighting the importance of making informed beverage choices to support long-term health and help prevent chronic disease.
Many popular drinks—including sodas, sweetened teas, energy drinks, and flavored coffee beverages—contain surprising amounts of added sugar, increasing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease.
Many of these beverages contain more added sugar than a person should consume in an entire day, yet that information isn’t always easy to find when ordering. That’s why I introduced SB 869, legislation that would require chain restaurants to clearly identify beverages with excessive amounts of added sugar on their menus. By making nutrition information more visible, we can empower Californians to make informed choices for themselves and their families. Click here to learn more about SB 869 and how you can support this effort.
Closing Message
As we move into a new month, I encourage you to make time for the people, places, and moments that help you recharge. In the midst of busy schedules and constant demands, even a few moments of reflection can bring greater perspective and peace. As Jon Kabat-Zinn reminds us, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” While we can’t control everything life brings our way, we can choose how we respond, with patience, resilience, and compassion for ourselves and those around us.
It is an honor to serve as your State Senator, and I remain grateful for the trust you place in me. Your ideas, experiences, and voices help shape the work we do each day on behalf of our communities. Please continue to stay engaged, share what matters most to you, and know that my office is always here to listen, assist, and advocate for you.
If you have any questions, concerns or comments, you can contact my office: Phone: (619) 688-6700 - District Office: 7575 Metropolitan Dr. Suite #100, San Diego, CA 92108.