Fighting for the Public Good Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

Thank you to everyone who has responded to this newsletter or called my office about your concern for the direction of our country.

I am similarly alarmed by the federal cuts to programs and services real people rely on‚ Trump’s alignment with Russian dictator Putin over democratically elected Ukrainian President Zelensky‚ and the negative impacts to jobs‚ stability and well-being that we’re facing because of federal administration decisions. 

Government needs to work for the best interest of the people. The slash-and-burn approach has deeply negative repercussions for all of us. I’m all for eliminating‚ waste‚ fraud and abuse‚ but that’s different from taking away basic services Americans need and want. 

What we have learned so far‚ is by speaking up‚ you can make a difference! For instance‚ the Trump administration backed away from cutting thousands of federal park employees after a public outcry.

Never has it been more important to communicate your opinions about our government’s direction and stand up for what you believe in. I applaud California Attorney General Rob Bonta and others who are challenging the legality of many of the Trump administration’s actions. 

Democracy demands respect for the law and the Constitution’s checks and balances. It also requires all of us to stay engaged‚ communicate and hold our elected leaders accountable. We need to say loudly and clearly when we see actions that are not in the public’s best interest‚ such as cutting and delaying benefits to our veterans or mismanaging California water. 

Stay informed and help us fight for the public good for families‚ students‚ seniors‚ veterans and all Californians. 

SOME RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE

NYT: Trump Administration Must Rehire Thousands of Fired Workers‚ Judge Rules

NBC-7: DOGE includes 5 government offices in San Diego County on lease terminations list

NYT: Musk Suggests His Team Will Scrutinize Social Security and Entitlement Spending

SDUT: China hits Illumina with import ban. What does that mean for San Diego gene sequencer?

 

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Members of the California State Senate stood for a photo with the Ukrainian Consulate General to show our support for Ukraine.

I strongly support the Ukrainian people‚ and the courageous‚ democratically elected President Volodymyr Zelensky. The California State Senate recently hosted the Ukrainian Consulate General on our floor‚ and many senators condemned President Trump’s shameful alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin‚ a brutal dictator.

The United States needs to stand by its allies and especially Ukraine‚ a sovereign nation with a democratically elected government that has spent years defending itself against an unprovoked‚ full-scale invasion from neighboring Russia. Any peace settlement reached to end the war should not reward Russia’s aggression or put our other European allies at risk.

 

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I was proud to join 113 elected leaders across San Diego County in signing a letter to San Diego’s congressional delegation opposing a slate of cuts proposed by Congress for federal safety net programs that provide vital assistance to nearly 1 million local residents. 

The letter says: “We‚ the undersigned local elected officials‚ are concerned about the proposed reconciliation package that would decimate programs and services in the county‚ and hobble state and local budgets‚ while at the same time giving $4 trillion in tax breaks to wealthy individuals and corporations. The House proposal would offset these tax breaks with deep cuts to the safety net that helps families provide healthcare for their children‚ put food on the table‚ and pursue their education.” 

In recent days‚ Republicans have reportedly backed away from making these cuts. We must remain vigilant and continue to voice our opposition to these plans. 

Medicaid is a joint state and federal health care program for people with limited income or resources. Most federal Medicaid money goes directly to states‚ so cuts to the program‚ which is known as MediCal in California‚ are essentially cuts to state budgets. That means states would either have to drop coverage or raise taxes or find other revenue to pay for what the federal government presently funds. 

In California‚ 14.9 million people‚ or 38 percent of the population‚ relies on MediCal to get health coverage.

 

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I joined U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (on right in top left photo) and many other officials‚ including SANDAG Rail Planning Program Manager Danny Veeh (in center pointing toward the Del Mar Bluffs)‚ to get a tour of some of the rail line in Del Mar.

Working with federal partners is so important to solve big problems. U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff took time out of his busy schedule to visit the LOSSAN rail corridor and see the important work that needs to be done on this rail corridor. There’s nothing like seeing it firsthand and I’m grateful for his visit. 

Along with officials from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the North County Transit District (NCTD)‚ we inspected some of the threats to the LOSSAN rail line and discussed what is being done about them. SANDAG has proposed moving the tracks off the unstable Del Mar bluffs and is exploring alternatives. 

You can watch a video of my tour on Instagram here.

My focus remains fixed on how to improve infrastructure and service along the 351-mile line that runs through Southern California from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.

The Senate has reauthorized a transportation subcommittee I lead aimed at studying the line‚ uplifting its needs and planning for the future.

In its first two years‚ the subcommittee has held five informational and oversight hearings‚ commissioned a report on the rail line and highlighted ways the corridor could be improved with stronger infrastructure‚ planning and coordination. I also authored two bills (SB 677 and SB 1098) to revitalize the line and address threats created by climate change. 

Enhancing rail travel and boosting ridership is crucial for California to meet its climate goals and reduce freeway congestion. LOSSAN‚ which stands for Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo‚ is vital to Southern California’s transportation network and economy‚ and we need to ensure its success.

 

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The tour included‚ left to right‚ SANDAG CEO Mario Orso‚ San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava‚ NCTD CEO Shawn Donaghy‚ Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem and NCTD Board Chair Priya Bhat-Patel‚ U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff‚ myself and Caltrans District 11 North Coast Corridor Director Victor Mercado.

 

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I enjoyed the great interest and high level of engagement from attendees of the 12th Annual Zero Waste Symposium.
I am profoundly disappointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to stall important regulations to reduce plastic waste. This came after I joined with several legislators to send a letter to the Governor underscoring the significance of these regulations and urging his administration to stay on schedule with them.

I am profoundly disappointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to stall important regulations to reduce plastic waste. This came after I joined with several legislators to send a letter to the Governor underscoring the significance of these regulations and urging his administration to stay on schedule with them.

Those regulations were due to be released last week‚ but in an about face‚ after being heavily lobbied by the plastics industry‚ the Governor missed that deadline and instead ordered CalRecycle to go back to the drawing board. 

The passage of SB 54 (2022‚ Allen) was a gigantic step forward in combatting the growing amount of plastic waste that is destroying our environment and poisoning people. The bill created a comprehensive framework for an extended producer responsibility (EPR) policy that forces manufacturers of products to reduce all plastic packaging over time.

The legislation directed the Newsom administration to draft regulations to implement its provisions. 

The plastic pollution scourge continues to foul our most pristine places‚ including beaches‚ trails‚ mountains and lagoons‚ while we dither over our regulatory approach. The Plastic Pollution Reduction Act will not be a reality until regulations are issued‚ and I urge the Governor to move as quickly as possible. 

Zero Waste Symposium

I was delighted to speak recently at the 12th Annual Zero Waste Symposium. As chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee‚ I am at the center of state policymaking on how to protect California’s environment and reduce pollution. 

California has long been at the forefront of environmental protection‚ and our commitment to achieving zero waste is a testament to that leadership. We’ve made a lot of progress in recent years with legislation‚ such as my SB 1053‚ which eliminates plastic bags from being provided at grocery store checkouts. 

We find ourselves at a critical juncture in our fight against waste and environmental degradation. Our efforts thus far have laid a foundation‚ but the future demands bolder action and innovative solutions.

As your State Senator‚ I am committed to meeting our zero waste goals. 

Did you know?

Did you know the State of California is the first in the country to require clothing manufacturers to develop programs that will allow for repair and recycle of their products? 

In 2024‚ the Legislature passed‚ and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed‚ the Responsible Textile Recovery Act‚ creating the first extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for textiles in the nation. The law directs manufacturers to create collection sites‚ drop-off locations and mail back programs by 2028 to repurpose used clothing.

Are you interested in being part of the solution? The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation can show you how to make a difference on March 23 at its Zero Waste Textile Expo 2025. Don’t miss it!

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Discarded clothing accounts for a major portion of the waste stream headed to landfills. In 2021‚ California disposed of more than 1.2 million tons of textiles.

 

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With OCBC President and CEO Jeffrey Ball‚ Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and some of our friends at the dinner.

I enjoyed engaging with over 700 business‚ nonprofit‚ community and political leaders at the 2025 Orange County Business Council (OCBC) Annual Dinner & Board Installation at the Disneyland Hotel. We did not tour the theme park as part of the annual installation dinner. There are very few facilities that can accommodate nearly 1‚000 people for dinner and the Disneyland hotel is apparently one of those few. 

This event unites the community with the common goal of ensuring Orange County remains a desirable place to live‚ work‚ invest and play. OCBC is celebrating its 30th year as the “voice of the Orange County business community” and through its advocacy‚ the organization has supported forward-thinking legislation that promotes housing‚ infrastructure and workforce development. 

Thank you Jeffrey Ball for organizing such a successful event and making OCBC such a vital and influential organization.

 

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Mary Matava (right) on the Senate floor with me.
I am thrilled to honor Mary Matava as Senate District 38 Woman of the Year for 2025! She was recognized during a special ceremony on the Senate floor this past week. 

Matava‚ a resident of Cardiff by the Sea‚ launched and managed an agricultural and laboratory business‚ Agri Service‚ that operated composting facilities in San Diego‚ Los Angeles and Riverside counties‚ including the El Corazon Compost Facility in Oceanside. The El Corazon facility processes over 70‚000 tons of yard trimmings‚ wood waste and discarded food into compost and mulch products each year.

Mary has been a leader in the San Diego County farming community for decades‚ studying soils and creating much-needed compost. Her efforts and her commitment to environmental sustainability have helped improve local farming and keep methane-producing organics out of landfills. 

In celebration of Women’s History Month‚ each year members of the state Legislature recognize women from the district they represent for their outstanding accomplishments and service to their communities. 

Matava‚ a former president of the San Diego County Farm Bureau‚ was named by the organization as 2022 Farmer of the Year. She has spent her career studying local soils to determine what kind of nutrients are present and beneficial for crops while also finding more efficient ways to use water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

In addition‚ Matava has helped shape local agricultural policies. She worked with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to establish best management practices for San Diego farms. She also grows avocados and other subtropical fruit trees. 

I also celebrated women’s achievements with this Senate floor speechhighlighting International Women’s Day.

 

In celebration of Women’s History Month‚ it is my honor to name retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ramona “Dee” Cook as Senate District 38 Community Champion of the Month for March!

Dee is a dedicated lifelong Marine who proudly served for 30 years. When she first enlisted‚ opportunities for women in the Marine Corps were limited‚ but she thrived despite these challenges. Beginning her career as a radio technician‚ she rose to the position of drill instructor and eventually earned the prestigious position of Sergeant Major for a CH-53 Squadron.

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Ramona “Dee” Cook
 

Under her leadership‚ the squadron successfully completed two deployments — to Iraq and Afghanistan — and she brought all her members back home safely. Her remarkable service in a role that saw few women at the time‚ is a testament to her perseverance and skillful leadership. 

After retiring from a distinguished 30-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps‚ Dee continues to serve our country as the Protocol Officer to the Commanding General for Marine Corps Installations West-Marine Corps Base‚ Camp Pendleton. In this position‚ Dee is responsible for ensuring that all the General’s engagements run smoothly‚ and she also serves as his liaison to local communities. 

With her contagious smile‚ confidence and helpful demeanor‚ Dee is well-liked by many. I deeply admire Dee as a role model and a courageous and determined leader for all women whether they are seeking careers in the armed services or taking other paths. 

For these reasons and many more‚ I am proud to recognize Retired Sgt. Maj. Ramona “Dee” Cook.
 

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

In partnership,

To learn more about what I am doing, follow me on social media.

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