State Budget Cuts, Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

The California state budget is in a structural deficit‚ primarily due to inaccurate revenue forecasting and an over-extension of government spending a few years ago during the short time we had a budget surplus. I’m very concerned about this situation and routinely express publicly and privately that we need to be fiscally responsible and live within our means. Having a structural budget shortfall year after year is simply unacceptable.

With a budget deficit of at least $10 billion this year‚ the Legislature has tough decisions about what cuts to make. Next week the Governor will release his proposed updated budget‚ which the Legislature will then evaluate and propose alternatives that are supported by the majority of our 120-member body.

Additionally‚ threatened federal budget cuts could create much more dire problems for California. One area of particular concern is our MediCal program‚ which is the state-federal health insurance program for low-income Californians. Our current budget structure cannot afford the current level of MediCal spending‚ which has grown due to an expansion of the covered population and the cost of pharmaceuticals. Co-pays‚ monthly premiums‚ elimination of coverage for certain pharmaceutical drugs‚ changes to enrollment criteria are all possible solutions.

Unlike the federal government‚ the California state government has to balance its budget each year. The state has created a rainy day fund to help soften the blow of economic downturns‚ but there is only so much of that we can use. It’s important to remember that we are not currently in a recession‚ meaning things could get worse‚ with more people out of a job‚ more dependence on social safety net programs and less tax revenue to support those programs.

The budget must be passed by June 15th and signed by the Governor by the start of the next fiscal year‚ which begins on July 1. I welcome your input.

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I know in these divisive times‚ Americans have a wide range of opinions on public policy and the direction of our country. But‚ in order for our democracy to thrive‚ we must honor and respect the U.S. Constitution and the separation of powers established by the nation’s founding fathers. The judicial branch must continue to be respected as a separate‚ and co-equal‚ branch of government. I issued the above statement when news broke that a sitting state-level Wisconsin judge had been arrested by the federal Justice Department related to an immigration matter in her state courtroom. Making an example of a judge‚ in order to intimidate other judges’ decision making through fear for their own personal safety‚ is unacceptable. The independence of the judiciary is paramount.

I presented my bill SB 92 to the Local Government Committee in the state Capitol’s elegant Room 112. I love this historic committee room because of the majesty of the painting behind the dais. Doing the people’s business under the expanse of the beautifully lit Yosemite Valley is a reminder of the marvels in the great state of California.

I am happy to report that six of my bills passed policy committees in recent days and advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB 92‚ legislation to stop the exploitation of the state density bonus law‚ passed the Senate Local Government Committee. SB 92 will ensure the density bonus law is being used to create meaningful housing and not to provide just a few units so a developer can get around local restrictions to build a much larger project‚ as is the case with a proposed luxury hotel in Pacific Beach.

SB 242‚ legislation to protect access to health care for seniors‚ passed the Senate Health Committee. SB 242 expands protections for seniors with pre-existing medical conditions‚ requiring that they be offered access to Medicare Supplement Insurance‚ known as Medigap‚ without discrimination regarding their age or health condition. The legislation would stop the practice of Medigap plans denying coverage to seniors with pre-existing medical conditions or charging extremely high premiums for them. Read more here.

SB 403‚ legislation to ensure California’s medical-aid-in-dying law remains in law beyond 2030‚ passed the Senate Health Committee. The state’s End of Life Option Act took effect in 2016‚ providing terminally ill Californians with a way to avoid horrible suffering at the end of life‚ allowing people to die with dignity on their own terms. If not renewed‚ the act will expire in January 2031.

SB 455‚ legislation to clarify the difference between e-bikes and other vehicles to help make the roads safer‚ passed the Senate Transportation Committee. SB 455 classifies two-wheel vehicles that go faster than 20 mph on motor power alone as not e-bikes but rather as low-powered mopeds‚ which require a driver’s license to operate.

SB 644‚ legislation to apply the same campaign contribution limits for those seeking judicial‚ school district and community college district offices as every other city or county candidate in California. This bill passed the Senate Education Committee. Currently‚ candidates for those offices have no campaign contribution limits at all.

SB 755‚ legislation to require the state of California’s largest contractors to annually disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate risk information‚ passed the Senate Environmental Committee. State procurements total more than $60 billion a year‚ and it’s important for policymakers to know how that affects carbon emissions.

Solar panels help move the state’s power grid to renewable energy sources.

I have received lots of input from constituents who oppose legislation SB 942 (Calderon) that sought to retroactively change the terms for current rooftop solar customers. I am also opposed to this.

Breaking these agreements would not only undermine the trust Californians have placed in our state’s commitment to renewable energy‚ but also penalize those who have invested in sustainable solutions. Also‚ studies have shown that rooftop solar contributes significantly to reducing overall energy costs and alleviating strain on the grid‚ benefiting all ratepayers.

I am happy to report that the bill has been significantly changed in an Assembly committee from its original version. It would no longer modify all past contracts‚ but in its current form would reduce the financial benefit of solar contracts when a home changes owners and remove a credit on utility bills for solar panel owners. I am still against this‚ and will follow the bill’s progress closely. You can‚ too‚ by going here.

To protect and promote the growth of rooftop solar‚ I have authored SB 710‚ to extend a vital tax incentive for solar. The legislation would exclude solar panels from being assessed as part of property taxes‚ an incentive that has been in law for 25 years but will expire without my bill.

Additionally‚ as a member of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources‚ Environmental Protection and Energy‚ I will continue to advocate for policies that support renewable energy initiatives and uphold the commitments made to our solar customers.

I recently participated in a panel discussion on homelessness‚ and what cities and the state can do about it‚ held by the League of California Cities as part of its 2025 City Leaders Summit in Sacramento. Left to right are Eric Danly‚ Petaluma City Attorney; Peggy Flynn‚ Petaluma City Manager; Caity Maple‚ member of the Sacramento City Council; and Jorgel Chavez‚ Mayor of Bell Gardens.

The growing number of homeless encampments is a problem for people living in them and for cities across the state‚ large and small. We really need to get more serious about solving this. I’m continuing to work on solutions‚ including authoring SB 569‚ legislation to speed up management and removal of homeless encampments located near state roads and highways.

The bill would require Caltrans to respond more quickly to city requests about removing homeless encampments and allow it to contract with cities to do the work on land that is controlled by Caltrans. My bill also tells Caltrans to prioritize clearing homeless encampments that pose environmental hazards‚ such as those that may lead to heightened fire risk. Read more here.

MEDIA COVERAGE

CBS 8 San Diego: Encampments and trash near Balboa Park spark community concernsCBS 8 San Diego: Encampments and trash near Balboa Park spark community concerns

I was honored to be recognized as a 2025 California Ocean Champion by a group of organizations who seek to protect one of California’s most precious assets‚ the ocean! Julie Packard‚ a legendary ocean conservationist and advocate (right)‚ presented me with the award.

I was honored and humbled this week to be presented with the California Ocean Champion Award by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

This award recognizes individuals whose actions make a lasting difference to protect the health of California’s ocean and coast‚ the aquarium said.

In its announcement‚ the aquarium cited my leadership in the Senate as Chair of the Environmental Quality Committee and legislation (SB 1053/AB 2236) I authored together with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer Kahan to fully eliminate single-use plastic bags at grocery stores. The aquarium also praised my commitment to push timely and effective implementation of SB 54‚ a landmark plastic pollution reduction law.

I am thankful for this recognition but even more thankful for the Monterey Bay Aquarium‚ Oceana‚ Surfrider‚ CALPRG‚ Azul‚ and all the ocean and environmental champions who speak out to protect our oceans‚ reduce pollution‚ educate us about marine wildlife and make our planet a better place to live. I will continue to work with advocates to safeguard our oceans and protect our environment.

I recently joined over 130 community members‚ stakeholders and local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the new Otay organics transfer station serving the San Diego area.

This state-of-the-art facility run by Republic Services is powered by innovative technology to remove contaminants from food waste and can process up to 100 tons every day‚ ensuring cleaner organics for composting.

As Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee‚ I’m grateful for projects that turn our sustainability ideals into progress. The Otay composting facility‚ already the first in California to operate entirely on solar power‚ now processes up to 600‚000 pounds of organic material daily.

This helps the state meet its goal to reduce organic waste disposal‚ which in turn helps limit methane emissions that contribute to climate change.

District Representative Matt Rubel (left photo) helped coordinate Team Blakespear’s participation in this year’s Creek to Bay Cleanup hosted by I Love A Clean San Diego. District Representative Diana Kutlow (center‚ right photo) chatted with community members while collecting litter.

Much thanks to everyone who started the cleanup at Encinitas Community Park‚ as we collected more than 42 pounds of trash. The annual Creek to Bay Cleanup is one of the largest single-day environmental action events held in San Diego County.

I applaud the thousands of volunteers who helped remove harmful waste from our beaches to our parks across the region. This community-driven environmental stewardship is essential to protect our precious ecosystems and San Diego County’s natural beauty. If you have a suggestion for a place in District 38 that needs litter removal please email Senator.Blakespear@Senate.ca.gov

Any suggestions should be accessible for walking‚ parking‚ and of course‚ safe!
 

​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. We do 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,

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