Covering a $12 Billion Deficit, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

Last week‚ Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his updated budget plan‚ which made cuts‚ deferrals and fund shifts to close a $12 billion deficit in an overall $322 billion budget. This deficit is because revenues are lower than anticipated based on federally created economic turmoil‚ and expenses in some areas‚ such as Medi-Cal‚ are higher than anticipated.

Overall‚ I support the framework of the Governor’s plan to address this deficit. I would‚ however‚ like to do more for homelessness‚ reproductive health‚ reducing emissions and being good stewards of our flora and fauna in California. Our budget does not take into account possible federal cuts that could impact our state budget‚ as we need to finalize our state budget within six weeks‚ by the end of June. Future federal cuts will be dealt with if or when they become a reality.

In specific areas:

• I support the Governor’s proposal to reduce the costs associated with Medi-Cal‚ the state’s health care plan for low-income families. This portion of our state budget is nearly three times what it was projected to be and we need urgent and immediate cost containment.
• I support the Governor’s proposed funding for the UC and CSU system. Under the Governor’s updated plan‚ the budget for the UC and CSU system will be cut only 3%‚ not the 8% he first suggested. With such a substantial budget deficit‚ and in light of the threats from the federal government to our colleges and universities‚ this proposal strikes the right balance.
• I support the Governor’s plan to shield TK-12 schools from cuts with a proposal that leaves them with the same funding in 2025-26 that they received this year‚ plus a small cost-of-living adjustment.
• I am glad to see the Governor plans on the re-authorization of our state’s landmark “Cap-and-Invest” program‚ which supports California’s commitment to the environment and brings in $4-$5 billion per year. He prioritized funding for high speed rail‚ which would have a Merced-to-Bakersfield rail line as the first operational leg many years from now. I support building a culture of rail in California‚ so although this rail line is far from my district it makes sense to continue support. I’m advocating for us to additionally fund transit and train operations and capital improvements throughout the state‚ including in Southern California.
• I support maintaining a rainy day fund.
• I was disappointed to see the Governor’s plan does not include money for the Homeless Housing‚ Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant program. Getting cities and counties to functional zero in unsheltered homelessness will require state funding‚ as they simply can’t carry the financial burden alone.
• I oppose cuts to Planned Parenthood‚ the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California State Parks. A service-based budget analysis from 2021 showed that the Department of Fish & Wildlife is already critically underfunded‚ only able to meet one-third of its mission given the existing budget. Removing positions‚ including 50 game wardens‚ would lead to even less ability to manage and conserve land and habitat. It also makes no sense to cut positions that help process permits faster or oversee polluting and extracting industries.

Read my full statement on the budget here.

To learn more about the Governor’s plan‚ go here.

Thank you for all your input on budget matters. I appreciate your feedback!
 

The sun is an inexhaustible source of energy‚ making solar panels a smart way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

I am pleased to report that my legislation to extend one of California’s most valuable incentives to acquire solar energy and batteries – an exclusion to them being assessed as part of property taxes – has passed the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.

SB 710 eliminates the 2027 sunset date for the program‚ helping to keep solar and battery installation accessible to Californians‚ move the state toward alternative energy and maintain progress in meeting the state’s clean energy goals. If the exclusion is allowed to expire‚ it would trigger costly home value reassessments whenever a new system is installed or a property with an existing system is sold. This bill will save homeowners hundreds of dollars if passed and signed by the Governor.

As the state moves toward renewable energy‚ we need to continue to encourage solar installation. Maintaining a tax exclusion for solar panels and batteries is an important incentive we should not take away from Californians. The bill now goes next to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

MEDIA COVERAGE
Orange County Register: Legislators push to keep incentives for property owners to install solar panels
 

I was glad to participate in a press conference in Santa Ana last week calling on the Legislature to pass several bills aimed at ensuring sober living homes are safe for the residents in them and the communities surrounding them. In the photo on the right (left to right) are: Santa Ana Councilmember Thai Viet Pham‚ Asm. Laurie Davies‚ myself‚ Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua and Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman.

California has over 2‚000 drug and alcohol treatment centers licensed with the state‚ with many located in Orange and San Diego counties. Orange County has more beds for small treatment facilities per 10‚000 residents than any other California county. But sadly‚ the state agency that oversees the treatment centers has been slow to follow up on complaints and hold the centers accountable. Common complaints can include sexual misconduct‚ poor management of medications for residents‚ insufficient detoxification checks‚ using unlicensed counselors‚ failing to provide services advertised and other issues.

That’s why I have authored SB 329. It would require the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)‚ the department responsible‚ to assign complaints about treatment facilities to staff within 10 days of receiving them and complete an investigation within 60 days. A state audit released last fall found that the department took more than a year to complete 22 of 60 investigations it reviewed.

That’s unsettling and not acceptable. We need to do better to safeguard the health and safety of patients and surrounding communities.
 

Christie Golemb‚ founder and vice president of A Better Exit‚ watched her father battle cancer and struggle to find an end-of-life option that he desired. This picture of her parents is from 2005. (Photo courtesy of Christie Golemb.)

In this op-ed published in the San Diego Union Tribune‚ Christie Golemb tells about the challenges her father faced when he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer and was told he had a year to live.

She also explains the importance of California’s End of Life Option Act‚ which took effect in 2016‚ how it is working‚ and why my bill SB 403 is needed to keep it from expiring.

“When my father made his choice‚” Golemb wrote‚ “he did so without support or legal options. He was forced to act in secrecy‚ fearing criminal consequences for the people he loved. I often think about how much gentler his death — and our grieving — could have been if a law like the End of Life Option Act had existed.”

“Passing Senate Bill 403 is more than a legislative decision. It is a moral affirmation of compassion‚ dignity and trust in people to make deeply personal decisions about their own bodies and lives.”
 

I was happy to serve food to members of the military and tell them how much I appreciate their service.

I enjoyed attending the City of Oceanside’s Operation Appreciation‚ an important annual community event held to honor the brave men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces. Oceanside is home to many military families‚ with Camp Pendleton just a short drive away.

Senate District 38‚ which I represent‚ covers Camp Pendleton. I know being in the military isn’t just a job‚ it’s a lifelong commitment to service‚ demanding some of the most rigorous training and the highest standards. It takes a rare kind of strength and dedication to serve in the military.

I am always working to support members of the military and their families. This year‚ I authored a bill (SB 99) to make it quicker and easier for family child care providers to begin operating. I know the shortage of child care is a big problem‚ and my bill can help.

As always‚ I welcome your input on how I can best support the members of our military.
 

Camping beside state roads and highways on land that is owned by Caltrans is a big problem for cities trying to proactively address the problem. (Photo courtesy of CalMatters.)

Getting to what’s called “functional zero” for unsheltered homelessness is a top goal. I was glad to see Gov. Gavin Newsom call on cities and counties to renew efforts to clear unsafe encampments and provide the unsheltered with services and safe places to stay. He also announced more money for support services often needed by people trying to escape homelessness.

This year I have authored two bills to push progress: SB 16‚ which sets a goal of ending unsheltered homelessness within 10 years and directs the state to come up with a financing plan for meeting it‚ and SB 569‚ which would require the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to work more closely with cities to speed up removal of homeless encampments by state highways and roads.

MEDIA COVERAGE
CalMatters: As Newsom pressures cities to clear homeless camps‚ they say this agency is moving too slow
 

I was thrilled to join community leaders recently to celebrate Dr. Margaret Leinen’s extraordinary career as the first woman to lead the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She was appointed the 11th director of the institution in July 2013‚ and has also served as UC San Diego’s Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences and Dean of the School of Marine Sciences. I presented her with a Senate Resolution (above photo) with San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava.

Dr. Leinen’s leadership has not only advanced scientific research and education but has also delivered real solutions to the environmental challenges facing our region and our planet. Her commitment to innovation and collaboration has transformed the lives of countless students‚ researchers and scientists in San Diego and across the globe.

As she retires from her leadership roles‚ Dr. Leinen leaves a legacy that inspires all of us to continue working toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
 

I am proud to recognize Kent Leithold (above) as our Senate District 38 Community Champion of the Month for May.

It’s Small Business Month‚ which makes it the perfect time to highlight Kent and all the wonderful work he has done to support the Vista business community.

With 15 years of dedicated service to the Vista Chamber of Commerce‚ beginning as an unpaid intern and rising to his current role as Director of Community and Member Engagement‚ Kent has become an irreplaceable part of the Vista Chamber family and a beloved fixture in the community.

What makes Kent truly exceptional is his deep-rooted passion for people. He has a unique ability to connect with others‚ making everyone he interacts with feel seen‚ heard and valued. Kent is a natural coalition builder who regularly introduces individuals and businesses that go on to collaborate and thrive together.

Even while balancing the responsibilities of being a caregiver for an aging parent‚ Kent continues to pour his heart into the Chamber and his community. Kent’s unwavering commitment‚ warm spirit and incredible ability to uplift others make him more than deserving of this recognition. Every business community should be so lucky to have a Kent in their corner!
 

I found it fascinating to watch the documentary “The Memory of Darkness‚ Light‚ and Ice‚” a film detailing the impacts of Greenland’s melting ice caused by climate change. After‚ we had a thoughtful discussion with (left to right) filmmaker Kathy Kasic‚ Sen. Ben Allen‚ myself‚ Heidi Sanborn and UC Davis professor Dawn Sumner about community engagement over climate change. Thanks to the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) for organizing this event! Sanborn is NSAC’s executive director.
 

Here is a great opportunity for young women to get assistance with their education costs. The Women in California Leadership (WiCL) Foundation Minerva Scholarship program will award 126 $3‚000 Minerva Scholarships and one $10‚000 Golden Minerva Scholarship this year.

To be eligible for consideration‚ students must:

• Be a full-time student in good academic standing at an accredited college or university OR be a graduating high school senior with written proof of acceptance at an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.
• Submit a completed online application with all required supplementary documents by May 31‚ the application deadline. Please note: Applications and all supplementary documents must be submitted together online. WiCL does not accept items submitted separately via mail‚ in-person delivery‚ or through legislative offices. Complete scholarship requirements and details (including the application) are now available on the WiCL Foundation’s website‚ and you can find answers to frequently asked questions here.

The winners will be announced in July.

Thank you for your support. I am honored to serve you.

In partnership‚

Email me at Senator.Blakespear@Senate.ca.gov
Call my Encinitas district office at (760) 642-0809
Call my Laguna Hills district office at (949) 598-5850
Call my Capitol office in Sacramento at (916) 651-4038