These days in California, fire season is never too far off. As soon as the winter rains give way to spring and summer - if they ever do! - the clock starts ticking and the risks of wildfire start mounting.

The first half of this decade in our state was marked by historic drought. The latter has so far been defined by unprecedented wildfires, including the deadliest and most destructive in California's history, the Camp Fire. At its peak, that blaze consumed more than a football field every three seconds, spreading rapidly, and with tragic effect.

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It's true that small businesses play a leading role in driving our state's economy forward, employing more than 7 million people and generating billions of dollars for California's economy. But that doesn't do their impact justice. Small businesses also help define the character of our communities and sustain us in our daily lives.

It's no exaggeration to say I wouldn't be able to do what I do without the small businesses in my life – my nail salon, my veterinarian, my eye doctor and my dentist who I've been seeing for decades. I would be a mess without them!

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Every year since 2015, I have spearheaded Socks for Stand Down, providing thousands of pairs of socks and underwear for veterans who participate in Stand Down, an annual three-day event run by Veterans Village of San Diego where struggling military veterans can access services, bond with one another and get some much-deserved rest and relaxation.

The drive has been so successful – thanks to incredibly generous San Diegans – that Veterans Village doesn't need any more socks!

So, this year, I'm shifting to Skivvies for Stand Down, because they still need undergarments, and I'm asking you, if you're able, to donate new underwear, bras and undershirts for men, women and children in need.

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The Department of Motor Vehicles has been busy issuing REAL ID driver licenses. Those who don't have a passport, or have one and don't want to use it to board a domestic flight, will need a new REAL ID by October 1, 2020. Please follow the guide above to determine whether you need a REAL ID, and carefully read the instructions on the DMV website to ensure that you're prepared with the necessary documents.

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I am grateful for the food banks that exist in San Diego and across California, but I'm saddened that too many people rely on them to meet their nutritional needs. For example, the San Diego Food Bank, the largest such charity in our region, serves an average of 350,000 people every month.

For people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), help is on the way. Beginning on June 1, these Californians will be eligible for federal food benefits. This shift in policy will be a tremendous opportunity to increase food security and reduce hunger and poverty for the estimated 500,000 SSI recipients in California, including roughly 80,000 in San Diego County.

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We've reached the midway point in this year's legislative session. On May 31, the Senate cleared its docket of Senate bills, and the Assembly did the same with its bills. Now, the bills that passed in their house of origin travel to the other house for consideration in policy committees. Here's a rundown of my legislation 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 66 allows clinics and rural health care providers to bill Medi-Cal for two visits on the same day if patients receive mental health treatment on the same day they receive other medical treatment. This will help ensure health care providers can continue to deliver vital mental health services and be reimbursed for those services.

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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 loved spending time in North County at Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach! Great music, great people!

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