It's November, and in our house that means a couple things. First, the witch's hat goes back into the attic for another year, along with the memories of so many adorable kids celebrating Halloween while having fun and being safe.

Our first milestone in November is the start of Native American Heritage Month. It's an important time for us to remember that so much of the Native experience has been erased or replaced by happy myths that don't match reality. COVID-19 shined a spotlight on the realities and disparities regarding Native communities' access to health care, recent news stories have highlighted the tragic and shameful cases of murdered and missing Indigenous women that have gone unsolved and ignored for far too long, and the horrific discoveries of children's bodies at former Native American boarding school locations in the U.S. and Canada cry out for further investigation—and for justice.

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In the aftermath of the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the Legislature has worked hard to reimagine police policy in California. Recently, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 2, a measure I jointly authored with my colleague, Senator Steven Bradford. The bill creates a uniform process to decertify police officers who have engaged in serious misconduct and illegally violated a person's civil rights. It also establishes an advisory board responsible for reviewing the findings of a police misconduct investigation. After reviewing the report of the investigation, the advisory board will then make a recommendation to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) as to whether the officer in question should have their license suspended or revoked.

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Veterans Day is a day that means so very much to me. My family has a strong military tradition that spans generations. My father, two brothers, sister, brother-in-law, all of my uncles, cousins, and two nephews have served, or are serving, in our military.

In fact, I first moved to San Diego in 1985 to help my sister, who was on active duty at Naval Base San Diego, to care for my nephew.

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November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize, celebrate and honor all Native Americans. San Diego County is home to 18 tribes that I have long seen as friends and equal partners engaged in meaningful collaboration based on respect for individual and sovereign rights. Earlier this year, the first California Native American Legislative Caucus was formed within the Legislature, with the goal of promoting equity and increasing representation.

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Celebrating Budget Wins

I have been fortunate to spend time in the district recently, celebrating budget wins that will enhance our neighborhoods and enrich our community.

I was honored to announce a $35 million grant to the San Diego Community College Continuing Education's Educational Cultural Complex, home to the ECC Theater. The theater is where Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King, Jr., gave her pivotal speech that influenced then-President Ronald Reagan to make MLK Day a federal holiday. It's also the place where Stevie Wonder performed, and Maya Angelou spoke.

This funding will help the Foundation revitalize and remodel the venue as well as create a community room. Here's a link a video from the October 1^st event, produced by the San Diego Community College District, capturing the events of the day.

Fourteen years after the Witch Creek Fire burned through their community, the Westwood Neighborhood of Rancho Bernardo is finally on its way to healing.

While the homes have been rebuilt, the streets continue to show the scars and damage left by the firestorm as well as the trucks and heavy equipment that rolled through the neighborhood. Community advocates never stopped fighting for the funding to fix the streets. It was so rewarding to gather with residents in the neighborhood to celebrate $2.5 million I was able to deliver to the City of San Diego to begin the repairs. The funding allows the City of San Diego to make long-awaited repairs along Azucar Way and ten adjacent roads. 

I appreciate the partnership of City Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert, and the tireless advocacy exhibited by community leaders.

Farmer of the Year

I want to congratulate Ken Altman, San Diego County Farm Bureau's Farmer of the Year. He's just one of the more than 5,000 farmers who keep our communities in California – and across the nation – fed. Our region produces a wide range of commodities – from fruits, vegetables and nuts, to beef, pork, and poultry – as well as San Diego-grown flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs.

In fact, San Diego County is the number one organic producer in the state. Ken, who owns Altman Farms, turned a life-long hobby into a successful family business, and Team Toni was there to honor him with a Senate Resolution for his hard work. If you've gone into Home Depot, Lowe's and Walmart, your new favorite plant may very well be one from Altman Farms!

Counting Down to the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension

The countdown is on! The long-awaited Mid-Coast Trolley Extension grand opening is set for November 21. Built by SANDAG and operated by San Diego MTS, the Blue Line will be extended by 11 miles. For the first time, a rider can board the trolley near the U.S.-Mexico border, ride into Downtown San Diego, and continue on through Mission Bay, the VA Center, and all the way to La Jolla and the UC San Diego community. This is a welcome commuter option to improve access to growing employment, education, and residential areas. I look forward to the ribbon cutting!