July is when the nation celebrates the Fourth of July and the promise sparked in 1776, and it's when we celebrate PRIDE in San Diego--whose theme this year is Resilient, which resonates in so many different ways. This year, both of those celebrations, and the warm summer weather, are taking place while we are all trying to navigate the new realities of a reopening California.
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Eviction Moratorium Extended
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While California continues to emerge from the pandemic, many families still face financial hardships. My colleagues and I have been working hard to extend the evictions moratorium we passed last fall and continued again earlier this year to ensure that Californians do not lose the safety net keeping them in their homes. I am proud that we reached an agreement and passed AB 832 before this critical measure expired.
It's important to note that this legislation extends California's eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021 in order to leverage over $5 billion in federal rental assistance funding to provide direct assistance to tenants and landlords.
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Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank Named 2021 Nonprofit of the Year
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Each year, I have the honor of recognizing one nonprofit from the 39th Senate District that has done outstanding work for the community. This past year was unlike any other, and so many nonprofits stepped up to help those in need. Having experienced food scarcity and insecurity growing up, I consider food support one of the most important services we can provide. My family benefited from community breakfast clubs as well as free and reduced lunches at school. It was difficult for my hard-working parents to accept assistance, but it sustained us. That is why I have selected the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank as this year's Nonprofit of the Year. Their dedicated staff, volunteers and partners met the crushing demand of food insecurity that was caused by COVID-19. Their efforts were nothing short of heroic. I invited Chris Carter, Vice President of Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs at the Food Bank, to write a guest article about this past year's efforts. – Toni
By Chris Carter
On behalf of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank's board of directors, staff, volunteers and those we serve every day, we are deeply humbled to be recognized by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins as the 2021 Nonprofit of the Year in association with the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits).
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Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Honorees and San Diego Pride
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From left to right: Connor Maddocks, Larry Baza, George Murphy |
In celebration of Pride Month, the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus honors extraordinary Californians who have helped advance equality and representation for the LGBTQ community. This June, we recognized 12 individuals on the Senate floor, including three from San Diego, with two iconic leaders being honored posthumously.
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Supreme Court Rules to Keep Affordable Care Act in Place
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Last month, over 31 million families across the country were able to breathe a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court issued a decision that keeps the Affordable Care Act in place and protects the low-cost or free healthcare available through it. While the ruling was made on procedural grounds, not the merits of the law, the result was the same—victory. In California, we have embraced the ACA, expanding on it to provide benefits to more families and young people, regardless of immigration status or income. With this decision, our work to ensure more Californians can count on this coverage will continue unencumbered. This also means young adults can stay on their parent's insurance until they are 26 and subscribers are protected from being denied coverage due to a preexisting condition.
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San Diego Makes History as Part of NASA Mars Rover Mission
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Mars Ingenuity Chopper on Mars, Photo Courtesy NASA/JPL |
One year ago this month, NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover launched from Earth. Today, 170 million miles away from the 39th Senate District, the hard work of San Diegans is making history on the Red Planet!
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Around the District: Saying Farewell to Public Servants
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Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside many dedicated public servants who make our communities stronger by giving back. This month, three people who have served vital roles to our region are retiring. I wanted to say a little about each one.
Chancellor Constance Carroll, San Diego Community College District
It has been a true honor of knowing and working with Chancellor Constance Carroll of the San Diego Community College District. I think about the past 17 years of the Chancellor's service, and the thousands upon thousands of students who were able to get the education they needed to accomplish their dreams. Not just here in San Diego, but throughout California. The Chancellor has welcomed innovative and bold ideas, including:
- The creation of the California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Association, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance and opportunities for the state's 116 community colleges;
- She launched the San Diego Promise Program in 2016 to boost student success by providing individualized support, educational plans and two years of tuition assistance. Today, that program is benefiting thousands of San Diego students each academic year;
- Now, she is serving on the College Promise National Advisory Board, to grow this opportunity at the national level.
Constance, we are forever grateful for your leadership, appreciative of your innovation in education, and congratulate you on your retirement.
Darcy Pavich, Veterans Village of San Diego
Darcy Pavich has retired from her position as Chaplain and Stand Down Director for the Veterans Village of San Diego, after a stellar 23-year career with the program. We have worked together as partners for many years to assist our veterans in need in San Diego. Stand Down is a nationally recognized program that helps military veterans overcome homelessness and related challenges. More than 200 other cities have modeled their events after her program! A decorated Veteran of the U.S. Navy and former Veteran of the Year by the County of San Diego and 78th Assembly, I wish Darcy and her husband Al the very best. Thank you for all you've done for our military community.
George Biagi, City of San Diego
A trusted member of #TeamToni, from my days on San Diego City Council, George Biagi spent 25 years in service to the City of San Diego. That includes working alongside six Mayors, two Interim Mayors, five City Attorneys and 46 City Councilmembers! He spent his first 10 years in the District 3 Office, first for then-Councilmember Christine Kehoe and then for me as Communications Director. On June 16, George retired from his role as Deputy Director of Legislative Services, and it was declared "George Biagi Day" in the City of San Diego. He is well-known for going the extra mile for staff, colleagues and the community. Congratulations, my friend, on a well-deserved retirement.
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