Addressing the audience at the Little Hoover Commission hearing on labor trafficking in San Diego

Several years ago, while I was Speaker of the state Assembly, my staff and my colleagues, working with advocates throughout the state, came up with an array of ideas to crack down on sex traffickers and to support survivors.

Many of those ideas became law – by the end of the 2015-2016 legislative session, Governor Jerry Brown had signed more than a dozen human-trafficking bills, including a major bill, SB 1322 by Senator Holly Mitchell, that requires the state to treat children caught up in the commercial sex trade as victims, not criminal prostitutes.

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With my colleagues Senators Ben Hueso, Bill Dodd, and Mike McGuire.

Californians deserve to know what to expect and when during a planned power shutoff, and what happens if those expectations are not met – that was my message, and the overarching theme, during a Nov. 18 Senate hearing to examine the impacts of the recent power shutoffs.

The eight-hour hearing began with San Diego Gas & Electric executives detailing how the utility developed its de-energization program following the 2003 and 2007 wildfires in our region. Extensive public outreach, especially to those who rely on medical support equipment, and investing in technologies to reduce the number of customers impacted by a planned power shutoff became a focal point for SDG&E, which has made significant gains in guarding against wildfires.

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November isn't great only because it brings us Thanksgiving – it also gives us a chance to honor the heroes who have served and sacrificed for our country. I was proud to participate in a number of events in San Diego that pay tribute to our military veterans. Clockwise from top left: the Veterans Day Parade; at the LGBT Center, recognizing how retiring Congresswoman Susan Davis has been a champion for LGBTQ service members; commemorating the 75^th anniversary of the Viejas VFW Post, the first Native-American VFW post in California; and joining with AT&T to recognize the efforts that numerous nonprofits make to serve our veterans. Coming from a military family, it's always personally important for me to take part in events like these.

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On November 20, the California Legislative Analyst's Office released its Fiscal Outlook, an annual look ahead at the legislative budget process.

The forecast showed that the Legislature has been a strong steward of California's finances. The days of the perennial budget crisis – even during good economic times – are thankfully behind us. For nearly a decade, our responsible approach of building reserves and paying down debts, while also making bold progress for the people of California, has strengthened our state.

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During the fall semester, the people of the 39^th Senate District benefited from the hard work of interns Way Hlaing, who attends E3 Civics High School (left) and Alexander Serrano, who attends UCSD. I am grateful for their efforts!

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 always love visiting my friends in Hillcrest. In November, I joined their Town Council meeting to give the latest update from the Legislature.

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