Honoring Veterans, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

I was truly moved this week at ceremonies in Mission Viejo and Solana Beach honoring our veterans.

Service isn’t just about personal sacrifice or patriotism – it’s about standing by the people beside you through hardship and challenge. That spirit of unity is something that we can all strive for‚ here at home and in our communities.

VFW Post 5431 Commander Guy Dermott and Colonel Charles “Clay” Readinger Commanding Officer HQBM‚ 1st Marine Division‚ Camp Pendleton both spoke about reaching out unconditionally to bring veterans into a tight-knit community.

The greatest act of service might not be a policy or a program but a helping hand to a person in need. The military teaches that no one accomplishes a mission alone. Whether in combat or in community we all rely on each other.

The Veterans Day ceremonies in Mission Viejo (left) and Solana Beach (right).

In this year’s state budget we included a provision exempting the first $20‚000 of military pension income from state income tax. I know this was long overdue‚ and I was very happy to see it finally become law.

In San Diego County and Orange County‚ we don’t have to wait 365 days to recognize the contributions of veterans as the military community is a prominent part of our region. I’m very proud to represent this important community in Sacramento and value the contributions of those who have sacrificed and served our country. Thank you for your commitment and service.

I was delighted to present a check to Mission Viejo Mayor Bob Ruesch.

The City of Mission Viejo is enhancing and extending its popular Oso Creek Trail as part of an effort to make the community more walkable.

A strong advocate of making cities more bicycle and pedestrian friendly‚ I strongly support the effort. I am grateful I was able to secure $1.175 million from this year’s state budget for the project.

The Oso Creek Trail project will help improve the quality of life in Mission Viejo by extending a much-beloved trail to provide better connectivity and more outdoor recreational opportunities for residents.

“The Oso Creek Trail is a natural amenity that has long been cherished by people of all ages from Mission Viejo and well beyond‚” Mission Viejo Mayor Bob Ruesch said. “It’s an essential part of the fabric of our beautiful community and something so many dedicated people have been working to enhance. I am excited that this new funding will benefit our iconic trail for many years to come.”

The project will:

• Add ½ mile of pedestrian trail from La Paz to Marguerite Parkway;
• Include 20‚000 square feet of landscaping and irrigation‚ lighting and split rail ranch fencing;
• Create a creek viewing deck with educational signage‚ seating and a shade structure;
• Build a pedestrian bridge to connect the east and west sides of the trail;
• Clean up Oso Creek by removing trash‚ debris and invasive vegetation to ensure the creek is environmentally sound and flowing freely.
  
  

I was proud to present a check to San Juan Capistrano Mayor Pro Tem John Campbell (right). Also in the photo (left) is Evan Marks‚ the Founder and Executive Director of The Ecology Center.

As someone who is passionate about healthy‚ sustainable living‚ I am glad I was able to secure $265‚000 in state funding for the La Novia Community Farm project in San Juan Capistrano. This project will turn 2 acres of vacant city land into a farm producing organic fruits‚ vegetables and herbs for schools‚ local chefs and the greater community.

The farm will be run by The Ecology Center‚ which is a 28-acre community farm and education center that focuses on regenerative‚ organic growing. The center‚ founded in 2008‚ operates a farm stand and provides hands-on education programs so school children can learn about healthy food‚ farming and the environment.

“The City of San Juan Capistrano is deeply grateful to Senator Blakespear for securing this meaningful investment in our community‚” said San Juan Capistrano Mayor Pro Tem John Campbell. “This funding will support The Ecology Center’s efforts to transform the La Novia Farm site into a vibrant space that celebrates our City’s agrarian heritage and provides new opportunities for residents and students to engage in hands-on agricultural learning and community connection. Support like this from our state leadership recognizes the special work taking place in San Juan Capistrano and exemplifies the kind of partnership that drives shared success throughout our region.”

“The Ecology Center is proud to be working with The City of San Juan Capistrano‚ St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and now State Senator Catherine Blakespear to continue bringing agriculture back to Orange County‚” said Jonathan Zaidman‚ The Ecology Center’s Vice President of Community. “This community farm will serve as an educational space‚ a nutritional resource‚ and an ecological hub.”

Groundbreaking for the La Novia Community Farm took place in early October. The first step has been to rebuild soil biology through composting and cover cropping on a lot that served as a construction fill area for decades.

Next‚ the farm will take advantage of seasonal rains to support cover cropping during the fall and winter months. By next spring‚ The Ecology Center plans to have crops in the ground‚ with the first small-scale harvest and school lunch distribution beginning in summer.

Being interviewed by‚ and then receiving my award from‚ association member Bruce Sachs during the association’s annual awards event.

Thank you to the San Diego Psychological Association for a great conversation about public service‚ mental health and state legislation. I enjoyed sharing my background and goals‚ and discussing the issues the association is working on.

I was honored to receive the association’s Legislative Award for 2025. I am grateful for the association’s advocacy‚ and for the mental health professionals who are on the front lines of addressing the mental health needs in our society.

Whenever I visit the Pechanga reservation‚ I relish seeing the Great Oak (pictured above)‚ believed to be more than 1‚000 years old. It’s a symbol of the Pechanga tribe’s long history and deep connection to the environment.

I had the opportunity recently to join my legislative colleagues to meet with members of the Pechanga Tribal Council and listen and learn about the needs‚ priorities and stories of the tribes across our region.

The reservation for the Pechanga Band of Indians was federally recognized by President Chester Arthur in 1882 and consists of approximately 7‚700 acres. The tribe has over 2‚100 members.

Tribes play a vital role across California‚ contributing to our economy‚ protecting our environment and preserving our history. San Diego County is home to 18 tribal nations‚ more than any other county in the country‚ and it’s important that we work closely together.

Land like this‚ near the Black Mountain Ranch West off Paseo Del Sur in San Diego County‚ is full of fuel for wildfires. Putting animals to use to graze the land helps reduce the risk of fire.

I fully support finding smart‚ environmentally friendly ways to better manage our land and prevent wildfire.

I recently joined the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) for a tour of land that is ideal for using goats‚ sheep and other livestock for grazing.

CalCAN is a network supporting sustainable and organic farming that advocates for state and federal policies to ensure the resilience of California farms and ranches in the face of climate change.

Grazing can help manage vegetation‚ reduce fuel loads‚ improve soil health and promote carbon sequestration and habitat restoration. As the Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee‚ I am always looking for the best ways for California to protect and manage its environment and strengthen sustainable solutions.

Finally‚ the state’s voters approved Proposition 50‚ which was on the ballot Nov. 4. Here were the results. Here is the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office analysis of what Prop 50 does if you’d like to learn more.

While I voted in support of putting this on the ballot on the Senate floor‚ and understand the need for it‚ I am also a big believer in the way California has in recent years decided on how to draw congressional district boundaries – through a nonpartisan citizens commission. This is the way every state in the nation should do it.

So while I adamantly believe this temporary measure is important to counteract President Trump’s actions in other states‚ I am glad it only applies until the next U.S. Census in 2030‚ when the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will resume its work.

I have two district offices that are devoted to assisting constituents‚ one in San Diego County and one in Orange County‚ as my Senate district covers part of both counties. (View the Senate District 38 map here.)

This last week‚ I moved my San Diego County district office from Encinitas to Carlsbad. The new office is larger and will allow me to better serve constituents. Here is the contact information:

Carlsbad District Office
2385 Camino Vida Roble‚ Suite 205
Carlsbad‚ CA 92011
Phone: (760) 438-2005

Here is the information for my other district office.

Laguna Hills District Office
24031 El Torro Road‚ Suite 201A
Laguna Hills‚ CA 92653
Phone: (949) 598-5850

If you have any input on state legislation or pressing public matters‚ or need assistance with state agencies‚ please contact one of my district offices.

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