Creating Abundance, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

There is a growing conversation both in California and our nation about how we can achieve more. This requires us to thoughtfully reflect on the systems‚ and the values that uphold those systems‚ to identify what is holding us back from delivering solutions to our biggest societal problems. A concept that guides me is‚ “Let’s create the building blocks for the type of society we want to live in.” 

I approach my daily work in Sacramento by asking hard questions about how our laws are working‚ and if they need reform to serve our goals. It’s all too common for our well-intentioned proposals to produce externalities or unanticipated excesses. 

One idea that’s taken the political establishment by storm this year is what’s known as the “Abundance” agenda. The idea is that if we can get out of our own way we can do ambitious‚ generation-changing things that improve people’s lives -- like building housing‚ transportation‚ clean energy‚ or universal access to broadband. There are recent bright spot examples of success‚ for example where the full might of the U.S. government was mobilized to invent‚ manufacture and distribute the COVID vaccine at breakneck speed. But there are many examples of sluggish government processes or responses that get in the way of progress‚ like failure to build enough housing that people can afford. 

Legislators often have to balance many interests at once in policy-making‚ which means our legislation becomes complex with a laundry list of requirements and solutions wrapped up in one. One example is our California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)‚ originally passed in 1970. Much of CEQA is good as it informs the public of what our society could look like with that project in it‚ and it requires both disclosure and mitigation of environmental harms. However‚ it adds enormous delay and expense‚ and intentionally has a very low bar for plaintiffs to initiate litigation. 

Just a week ago‚ streamlining and exemptions laws that reform CEQA were passed and signed by the Governor. At the bill signing ceremony‚ Governor Newsom tipped his hat to the Abundance agenda and co-author Ezra Klein by name‚ which shows how much this theory is part of the zeitgeist in California right now. 

Many decision points have strong value systems on both sides and while the top line of “cutting green tape” is very appealing‚ the story is not yet written on how this will unfold in the real world. 

Yes‚ we need to embrace innovation and technology and cut government regulation where needed. We need to always be re-evaluating what is serving the greater good as our understanding of risks‚ like climate change‚ evolve. 

Government needs to deliver‚ and we need to invest in institutional renewal and focus on getting results. I am committed to doing that. And I am also committed to protecting the environment and fragile natural ecosystems‚ fighting climate change and helping people thrive.

Earlier this year‚ a group of legislators and community groups aligned with the Abundance mission organized a roundtable and book talk with Ezra Klein (pictured above)‚ coauthor of Abundance. It was very informative. I’ve chosen this book for our next book club. We meet over Zoom every couple months to discuss books that have a relationship to California and our policies. You can sign up to participate by going here.

We’re methodically moving through the legislative calendar‚ and unfortunately several of my bills have now become two-year bills. This happens when the negotiations between the committee and the author (me) need more time. The following bills are still alive for this year.

• SB 427 Habitat Conservation fund
  • Passed the Assembly Committee on Water‚ Parks and Wildlife
  • SB 427 would extend the sunset date for the program‚ moving it to 2035. The Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) was established under Proposition 117‚ the California Wildlife Protection Act passed by voters in June 1990. The fund pays to acquire‚ restore and enhance wildlife habitats across the state. This fund has proposed to be “swept‚” i.e. eliminated‚ during difficult budget years and this bill reinforces the fund’s importance.
• SB 633 Plastics Recycling Transparency
  • Passed Assembly Natural Resources Committee
  • In order to improve transparency and hold beverage container manufacturers accountable‚ SB 633 requires them to report third-party verification of the country of origin and amount (in pounds) of post-consumer recycled plastic to the state.
• SB 14 – State Waste Diversion
  • Passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee
  • SB 14 was amended to eliminate the requirement that state agencies set the bar higher by only being able to purchase plastic bottles with higher percentages of recycled plastic. The bill now modernizes state agencies’ integrated waste management plans.
• SB 403 – Medical Aid in Dying
  • Passed the Assembly Health Committee and the Assembly Judiciary Committee
  • SB 403 removes the Jan. 1‚ 2031‚ sunset date for the End of Life Option Act (EOLOA)‚ California’s medical-aid-in-dying (MAiD) law. There has been emotional and deeply moving testimony in several committees about people’s end-of-life experiences with their loved ones and the need for this law.
• SB 710 Solar Tax Exclusion
  • Passed the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee
  • SB 710 continues an exclusion from property tax reassessment for solar and battery projects installed by homeowners.
• SB 92 – Density Bonus Realignment
  • Status: Passed the Assembly Local Government Committee
  • SB 92 prevents the density bonus law from being misused. Specifically‚ the legislation would limit developers to increasing the commercial floor space included in their projects to no more than 2.5 times what is allowed by local zoning. This bill was prompted by the exploitation of the state’s housing law by the 239-foot Turquoise Street hotel project in Pacific Beach.

There are also a number of bills that are solving problems throughout our state that I’m proud to coauthor. A few of those bills include:

• SB 606 – Ending Unsheltered Homelessness
  • SB 606 requires that our biggest cities and counties plan to achieve functional zero unsheltered which would aim to get our chronically homeless inside interim housing options.
• SB 19 - Addressing threats to schools and places of worship
  • This bill will create clarity over how individuals who willfully threaten to commit a crime in a school or place of worship are tried and convicted. This bill directly addresses the case of an individual in San Diego who threatened a mass shooting at an elementary school‚ which exposed a deficiency in state law.
• SB 80 – Nuclear fusion research and development
  • SB 80 will create the Fusion Research and Development Innovation Hub program that will designate areas throughout the state to accelerate fusion energy technology and award state funds to support the research. I’m proud of the work of General Atomics’ DIII-D National Fusion Facility‚ which has been operating since the 80s and stands as a global leader in fusion energy research.
• SB 254 – Energy affordability
  • SB 254 will tackle utility costs and expedite clean energy production‚ which will save consumers billions of dollars on energy bills in the coming years. It will require utility companies to use the most cost-effective ways to save ratepayers money and expedite thousands of megawatts of clean energy projects. In addition‚ it will create a program to accelerate large-scale battery energy storage and cut red tape for clean energy projects.

To see my full legislative package‚ go to the Legislation page on my website. You can also follow all the latest legislative developments on my X‚ Instagram and Facebook accounts. For other bills‚ please visit California’s legislation portal here.

I am a coauthor of SB 84‚ which gives small businesses 120 days to cure ADA complaints before facing a lawsuit. I participated in a bipartisan press conference with (left to right‚ first row behind the podium) fellow Senators Aisha Wahab‚ Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh‚ Roger Niello and Kelly Seyarto (bill’s author standing at the podium) calling on the Assembly to pass the legislation. 

I have heard from dozens of small businesses over many years who have told me they have no intention of being out of compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and that they want a chance to cure ADA violations before they end up in a lawsuit. SB 84 passed the Senate overwhelmingly‚ on a 34-2 vote. Unfortunately‚ it is no longer moving forward this year in the Assembly‚ but I continue to support‚ and promote‚ the idea.

Styrofoam waste can pile up quickly. 

Polystyrene foam cups‚ plates and bowls are no longer allowed to be sold in California‚ thanks to regulations that took effect this year. A lawsuit has been filed by a San Diegan to enforce the law‚ the Los Angeles Times reports. 

CalRecycle has established a website to report complaints about non-compliance and provide FAQs about the state law. 

The ban on Styrofoam is part of SB 54‚ landmark state legislation passed in 2022 that sets ambitious‚ enforceable goals to reduce plastic packaging. I have called on the Newsom administration to tighten up their proposed regulations implementing SB 54. 

It requires that at least 65% of single-use packaging must be recycled and that 100% of packaging sold in California be recyclable or compostable. By 2032‚ the plastic packaging produced by about 13‚000 producers must be reduced by 25%.

If we want to reduce the gigantic flow of plastic waste that is contaminating our environment and water and poisoning our bodies‚ we must do better – we must enforce our laws.

I was happy to recently join the Rev. Dr. Mark Maddox at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church to answer his great questions about the importance of providing interim housing to the unsheltered as part of “Community Partnership Day.”

A big thank you to the Rev. Dr. Mark Maddox for inviting me to talk about this pressing problem with his congregation. 

Like everyone else‚ I am frustrated by the lack of progress California has made addressing homelessness. As I wrote in this op-ed‚ I believe we need to change our focus and make ending the unsheltered street crisis our top priority. 

We can do that by working to expand and provide interim housing‚ which is quick-build‚ clean‚ safe‚ modest housing that provides shelter from the elements and have social workers on site. 

We must act with urgency. It is essential that we work collaboratively at the local‚ regional and state levels to take on this issue.

I’m grateful for all the wonderful community partners throughout our county working to assist our unsheltered neighbors. And thanks to the San Dieguito United Methodist congregation for its interest and commitment to assisting those who are homelessness.
 

Join Us at UC San Diego!

Mark your calendar and save the date for State Senator Catherine S. Blakespear’s Third Annual Ending Street Homelessness Summit. Join us for a solutions-driven forum featuring three expert panels focused on how California can reach functional zero for unsheltered homelessness.

Panel discussions will examine the state of unsheltered homelessness‚ why progress has been slow‚ what needs to change‚ and how effective interim housing models can move people off the streets now. To truly make progress‚ we must act with urgency‚ expand our idea of what housing can look like‚ remove barriers to interim options‚ and hold every level of government accountable. I hope you will join us for this important conversation.

Confirmed panelists include: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria‚ San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan‚ San Diego County Supervisors Monica Montgomery-Steppe and Paloma Aguirre‚ San Diego Councilmember Stephen Whitburn‚ Vista City Councilmember Katie Melendez‚ Dignity Moves CEO Elizabeth Funk and Tomiquia Moss‚ Secretary of the California Business‚ Consumer Services and Housing Agency. 

Welcome reception and registration begin at 8:30 a.m. Directions and parking instructions will be emailed prior to the event.

Date: Wednesday August 13‚ 2025
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Location: UC San Diego 
Seating is very limited so RSVP today!
 

Join Us in Mission Viejo!

I invite you to join me and experts in end-of-life care for a public forum on Aug. 14 in Mission Viejo on medical aid in dying under California’s End of Life Option Act. Resources from related organizations will also be available before the event‚ starting at 2:30 p.m. 

RSVP here to attend in person or to receive a Zoom link to watch a live stream. The event will also be recorded and available for later view. Capacity is limited so RSVP today!
 

Join Us in San Diego!

I invite you to join me and a panel of experts on Aug. 12 for a film screening of “Run‚ Hide‚ Fight: Growing Up Under the Gun‚” followed by a powerful panel discussion on gun violence prevention.

RSVP here to attend the event.

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