Recently, the President talked about closing the border between the United States and Mexico. That would be a monumentally terrible idea, and fortunately, he quickly changed his position, first saying he would wait a year and then saying he didn't think he'd ever have to close it.

I hold hope that if he changes his mind again, he would ultimately listen to the chorus of voices saying such a move would be economically and culturally devastating for the San Diego region, California and the country, and carry damaging ripples into the global economy.

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It was a pleasure to visit the National Diet (Japan's Congress) and spend some time with the Honorable Chuichi Date, President of the House of Councilors (second from right on bottom step).

During the Legislature's weeklong spring recess in April, I was proud to lead a delegation of senators on a visit to Japan to engage with Japanese government and business leaders on a range of issues in which their country and our state share interest.

Senators Bill Dodd, Anthony Portantino, Steve Glazer, Brian Jones, Susan Rubio, Bob Archuleta and I traveled to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. This was my first time in Japan, and I can tell you we were welcomed with open arms.

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Since the California Competes Tax Credit program began five years ago, local businesses have done disproportionately well. Roughly as many San Diego companies have received awards as companies in Los Angeles County, which is more than three times as large.

And when the latest round of awards was announced on April 11, San Diego County businesses really excelled - nine of our companies received $19.3 million in tax credits by pledging to make $247.4 million in capital investments and create 772 new jobs. Local businesses received 25% of the 35 awards given out statewide, even though our county has just 8% of the state's population.

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On March 1, 2019, San Diego Gas & Electric began the process of transitioning all of its customers to what is called a "time of use" rate. Under this system, customers pay different prices depending on when they consume power. Previously, customers would pay based on their total electricity usage, regardless of when they were using electricity.

In this new rate structure, the more electricity a customer uses when California, as a whole, has less electric resources at its disposal, the more they pay. On the other hand, if they use electricity when demand is relatively low and there are more sources available to manage - such as wind, solar and other sources of power - customers pay less. Prices are most expensive from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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The legislative action is in full swing in the Capitol, and our various policy committees' agendas are loaded with bills aimed at addressing an array of challenges facing San Diego and all of California. As we head toward the house-of-origin deadline - the May 31 deadline for Senate bills to clear the Senate and Assembly bills to clear the Assembly - here's an update on my bills this year:

SB 1 - the California Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019 - is California's "insurance policy" against the reckless deregulation happening at the federal level. SB 1 ensures that any federal environmental or worker safety standard in place as of January 19, 2017, remains in effect under state law even if the federal government rolls it back. SB 1 has cleared the Senate Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Water, and Judiciary committees.

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My district staff is always available to help constituents navigate a complex web of state agencies. If you're having trouble working out an issue with any state agency, please call my office at 619-645-3133, and my staff will do everything in their power to help.

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I was pleased to help honor Jeanne Christensen, band director for the Mira Mesa High School Sapphire Sound, as the Mira Mesa Volunteer of the Year! She was one of my honorees during Women's History Month in March.

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