Federal Funding Uncertainty, and Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

The first month of 2025 in the California Legislature has admittedly been rough. Unprecedented destruction and suffering from wildfires during what has historically been our rainy season‚ combined with proposed policy and budgetary upheaval created by our U.S. President‚ have made the start to the year feel very heavy.

There is uncertainty‚ emotional distress and a sense of anguish about what’s to come. But in the face of this reality‚ California remains the 5th largest economy in the world‚ with a resilient spirit and a commitment to uphold California’s values.

California is a “donor state‚” meaning that California taxpayers pay more to the federal government in taxes than the federal government sends back to us for important state services‚ such as education funding‚ infrastructure investments and Medicaid‚ which is medical care for the poor. It’s important to remember that when the President threatens to withhold money from the state‚ it’s our own taxpayers’ money that he would be withholding. Data from 2022 shows that we paid $83 billion more to the federal government in taxes than the federal government spent here.

Lawmakers and the budget staff in Sacramento are working on various budgetary scenarios‚ but the reality remains that the federal and state government are intensely financially intertwined. It would not be possible for the state government to backstop all of the federal government’s funding for things like disaster relief or education funding. If the President follows through on many things that he has threatened, there would be substantial cuts to social services‚ schools and capital investment projects.

Additionally‚ the immigration environment in the last three weeks has already created serious consequences to individuals (like children being kept home from public school) and to business interests (like people not going to work to do essential services) that are born from fear.

The U.S. Congress ultimately sets and passes the federal budget and makes policy changes. The state is closely watching and distinguishing between administrative actions that are under the President’s control and those that require statutory changes from Congress. We will be closely evaluating the effect on California. But in the meantime‚ know that I remain committed to working for the public good. And I am certain that California will be able to adapt‚ be nimble‚ remain committed to core values and continue to create the great land of opportunity and high quality of life that we enjoy here in California and particularly in District 38.
 

This week‚ we began holding hearings on the Governor’s proposed budget. I questioned the Department of Finance about the proposal to use climate bond money to pay for existing climate-related General Fund obligations‚ among other things.

 

 

I am pleased to announce my 2024 Annual Report is now available. To read it‚ go here.

This provides an overview of everything that was accomplished together with you in 2024.

I am committed to being as open and transparent as possible about what I am doing to represent you. The Annual Report‚ and this newsletter‚ is part of that effort.

 

 

In 2024‚ I toured the DeLuz Child Development Center at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside to better understand the problems military families are having finding child care.

As we start the new year‚ the Legislature is just getting rolling. We have until Feb. 21 to introduce bills for the year. Last week‚ I introduced two bills that will now get assigned to committees and start making their way through the legislative process.

I have introduced SB 99‚ to help ease the shortage of child care options for military personnel by making it quicker and simpler for a family to open a home childcare facility serving up to six kids by exempting the requirement for a state license. Read more here.

I have also introduced SB 92 in response to a high-rise project proposed in Pacific Beach. The law amends the state’s density bonus housing law to prohibit the exploitation of state housing laws to build commercial projects. The bill is supported by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava. “The State’s Density Bonus Law must be used to build affordable homes‚ not creating absurd high-rise hotels that ignore the goal of housing legislation‚” LaCava said. “Senator Blakespear’s legislation will result in actual affordable units and end predatory development that evades the spirit of affordable housing laws. I applaud the Senator’s dedication and swift action in introducing a law that is both pro-housing and pro-community.” Read more here.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Times of San Diego: Blakespear Introduces Bill to Increase Child Care Options for Military Families.

Coast News: Blakespear introduces bill closing loophole in density bonus law.

 

 

 

When I was elected to the state Senate it was immediately clear to me that the Legislature itself had substantial room for improvement when it came to sustainability in the buildings where we do our work. I was grateful that the Senate President Pro Tem appointed me to lead a working group with other Senators that made suggestions for improvement so that we could more closely “walk our talk” when it came to reducing single use plastics and other sustainability commitments.

This January I was happy to see that some of the recommendations had been implemented‚ including more prominent messaging (see photo above). I was also thrilled to be chosen as Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee this year.

In addition to messaging‚ here at the Capitol there are now better waste‚ recycling and food receptacles‚ as well as reusable kitchen items like plates and cups‚ no more plastic water bottles and a reduction of many small polluting items‚ like little cups of creamer and plastic cups.

I recognize that ultimately we need systems-level solutions to our pollution problems, but small actions still matter. It is important to me that we lead by example.

 

 

Speaking (photo on left) as Pacific Beach Town Council President Charlie Nieto (left) looks on. Applauding (photo on right) the council members and first responders in the room.

Congratulations to the new members of the Pacific Beach Town Council‚ who were recently sworn in at the 2025 Installation Dinner.

I am honored to represent this vibrant coastal community and deeply appreciate the volunteers who work tirelessly to make Pacific Beach an incredible place to live. The council embodies the spirit of civic engagement with its monthly meetings and by hosting community events‚ such as Concerts on the Green and the annual Graffiti Clean-Up Day. Thank you to the council and the community for their energy in tackling the biggest issues confronting the community‚ from homelessness to improving coastal infrastructure.

 

 

 

Important community groups and individuals travel to Sacramento every week to advocate for their causes and educate lawmakers and staff. To the greatest extent possible‚ I make time to meet with folks from back home.

I recently met with Justin Cummings‚ Chair of the California Coastal Commission‚ and Mike Wilson‚ member of the commission (top left photo). I also talked with Paul Simonds‚ Amanda Walsh and Jeff Ball from the Orange County Business Council (top right photo).

In addition‚ I was happy to host a group of students (photo below) visiting the Capitol from Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad. I enjoyed showing them my office and giving them a better idea of how the Legislature works.


 

 

 

Navigating state departments and agencies can be challenging. My office is here to help!

Literally‚ sometimes payments or notices get lost in the mail.

Such was the case with a constituent from Carlsbad who contacted my Encinitas District Office about no longer receiving disability insurance benefits through the state Employment Development Department (EDD). The problem was the constituent did not complete the Continued Claim Certification form‚ as required.

EDD said it mailed it to him‚ but he never received it. When payments stopped‚ he tried to contact EDD but struggled to get through. He sought the assistance of doctors he was seeing. Finally‚ he contacted District Representative Matt Rubel in my office.

Matt was able to cut through the bureaucracy‚ find out what happened and get the constituent’s payments restored. The constituent then received a check for $49‚591 for backlogged payments.

If you’re having a problem with state services contact my Encinitas District Office at (760) 642-0809 or my Laguna Hills District Office at (949) 598-5850.
 

 

Click on the image above to watch a short video on CalKIDS.

Did you know that CalKIDS‚ a California state program‚ can help your children go to college?

CalKIDS offers an initial deposit of anywhere from $100 to $1‚500 into a savings account for all California newborns (born on or after July 1‚ 2022) and eligible low-income public school children in California.

Once children turn 17‚ they can use CalKIDS money at accredited community colleges‚ universities‚ vocational schools and professional schools across the country.

CalKIDS funds can cover educational expenses such as:

• Tuition
• Books and supplies
• Room and board
• Computer equipment

CalKIDS can be a great start toward college and career success because the savings grow over time. Check your child’s eligibility and sign them up today at www.calkids.org

 

 

In celebration of Women’s History Month‚ I am thrilled to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the prestigious 2025 Women Who Inspire recognition. This is your opportunity to recognize and honor a remarkable woman who lives‚ works‚ or volunteers in Senate District 38 and has made outstanding contributions to our community.

Nomination Criteria Considerations: We recognize women in a range of fields like those suggested below.

• Community Service & Leadership: Celebrating women who have made significant contributions through volunteer work or creating positive change.
• Professional Excellence: Honoring those who have demonstrated exceptional performance and contributions in their field.
• Education and Mentorship: Recognizing individuals committed to teaching‚ student growth‚ and engagement.
• Arts & Culture: Appreciating those who have enriched our community through creativity and artistic expression.
• STEM & Innovation: Celebrating advancements in science‚ technology‚ engineering‚ or math through work or leadership.
• Health & Human Services: Honoring dedication to the well-being of the community‚ improving lives through care and advocacy.
• Military Community: Recognizing outstanding support‚ leadership‚ and advocacy for service members‚ veterans‚ and their families.
• Youth Leadership: Applauding young leaders who have inspired change and demonstrated exceptional leadership.
• Sports: Celebrating athletes who have shown outstanding skill‚ commitment‚ and passion.
• Other: Feel free to describe any other remarkable achievements!

To nominate an inspiring woman‚ please complete the nomination form by Monday‚ February 24th.

All nominees will be invited to a reception in their honor at the end of March. The exact date and location will be announced to the nominees at a later date.

Thank you for your participation in recognizing the many women who make our community great!

 

Safe‚ stable housing is a fundamental human right‚ yet across the U.S. ‚ millions face housing insecurity‚ homelessness and displacement. Why is this crisis escalating‚ and what can be done to fix it?

I will talk about this at 11:30 a.m. on Friday‚ Feb. 7th‚ with a panel of experts on the Samuel Lawrence Foundation’s “First Fridays” series that is focusing on the housing crisis. Leading advocates‚ scholars and policymakers will explore:
 

• Systematic challenges—what’s fueling the housing crisis?
• How do policy‚ economics‚ and inequality intersect in this growing emergency?
• What can be done—right now—to push for change?

Listen live on the Samuel Lawrence Foundation’s YouTube.

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