News from Senator Blakespear

Dear Friend, 

I receive lots of feedback on these newsletters and I very much appreciate that. I value your input! 

Several of you have suggested shortening the newsletter and that’s what I have done with this latest edition. As your elected representative, I believe strongly in transparency and making sure you know what I am doing, and I want to do that in whatever way or format best suits you.

If you want more information, you can find it on my Senate website which has all my previous newsletters, press releases, videos of my bill presentations, and other background. As always, you’re invited to contact my office directly. You can do so by emailing Senate.Blakespear@Senate.ca.gov. If you do not want to receive these updates, that’s okay too! You can unsubscribe here. 

For me, the last two weeks have been the best yet. I’m presenting my ideas to my colleagues through the committee process, and I’m hearing everyone else’s ideas and offering feedback. It’s a highly engaged time. Unfortunately, some of my bill ideas are dying. But I see this as iterative, and will be back next year. I cover some details of the bills that are still moving below

The next big development in the legislative process is when Governor Gavin Newsom updates his budget proposal in mid-May. The Legislature then works to write the final budget bill and pass it by June 15. A budget is a statement of values, and the budget rightfully receives a lot of attention.

As you may know from reading my past newsletters, I am advocating for the state budget to include more funding to build homeless-serving housing and support public transportation. In particular, we need an infusion of state resources into the programs that build and buy homes to house people when they leave the shelter system or when they are about to become homeless. My goal also is to have a transportation network that is operating without congestion, has a fast and frequent public transit option, and holds up under a changing climate! I know this is ambitious.

Thank you for your interest and support. I am honored to be your state senator and am so energized to work on your behalf!

In partnership,

Here’s an update on three significant bills I am working on.

SB 7 is my most impactful and important bill. It would mandate that cities and counties provide housing for their homeless populations, as part of their zoning plans to meet projected housing needs for their jurisdictions. The bill has passed two Senate committees. Read the press release. Read the legislation.

Watch my presentation on the bill by clicking on the image.

SB 452 would require all semiautomatic pistols sold in California to use microstamping technology that would etch unique identifiers on expended cartridges. That would provide law enforcement with valuable information to help identify shooters. The bill was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee. Read the press release. Read the legislation.

Watch my presentation on the bill by clicking on the image.

Finally, SB 511 would help address climate change. It would direct the California Air Resources Board to prepare inventories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for cities and counties to use in their preparation of Climate Action Plans and efforts to reduce GHG emissions in local communities. The bill was approved by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Read the press release. Read the legislation.

Watch my presentation on the bill by clicking on the image.

Speaking to the media about the importance of the rail line and how to protect it at San Clemente State Beach with other federal, state and local officials.
 

I joined U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, who brought the Federal Rail Administrator Amit Bose together with prominent local officials to ride the train from San Diego to Solana Beach and get a firsthand look at erosion issues and other threats to the line.

We also held a press conference to talk about our concerns and what needs to be done to protect this vital transportation artery for our region. This got plenty of attention, including this article in the Orange County Register, and this article in the San Diego Union-Tribune and Del Mar Times.

I am encouraged that nearly every layer of government is starting to recognize the importance of this line and the urgency to work together to stabilize the tracks and plan for the future. The Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor is the second-busiest rail passenger line in the nation, and is crucial for Southern California’s economy and the movement of goods and military equipment. Recent weather-related events have demonstrated the need to relocate the tracks in Del Mar and San Clemente. If we want a functioning rail corridor in Southern California, we cannot delay working toward long-term solutions.

I chair the Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency, which will hold its first hearing on May 16. The committee’s charge is to examine the rail line’s impact and its infrastructure needs so that the state can do its part to ensure it remains viable for decades to come. One main goal is to raise the profile of the rail corridor as a whole and ensure that different projects along the rail line do not compete against each other for funding.

This week we received great news that the North County Transit District and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) received $100 million in state money to rebuild the 107-year-old bridge in the San Dieguito Lagoon, adjacent to the Del Mar fairgrounds and racetrack. [See articles in the San Diego Union-Tribune and the Coast News and story on KUSI-TV.] One of the best parts of this project is that it includes a train platform at the fairgrounds so the thousands of people who attend music concerts, the fair, the races, and other events, can take the train instead of having to drive. The project still needs $130 million, and a federal grant application is underway.

Also this week, all train traffic has been stopped between San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside, due to movement along the slope adjacent to Casa Romantica in San Clemente. Read this article in the OC Register. This latest development underscores the need to move the San Clemente tracks and address the other issues along LOSSAN line.

Getting a firsthand look, along with USDOT Federal Rail Administration Administrator Amit Bose (to my left), Del Mar Mayor Tracy Martinez (to my right) and U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, at how close the tracks are to the ocean.

I was delighted to be interviewed by the “OC in Focus” program on Saddleback College’s radio station, 88.5 KSBR. You can listen to the full 30-minute interview here. We covered several interesting topics, including how serving as a state senator is different than being a mayor and working in local government, the importance of tackling the homeless problem and what issues constituents email me the most about. Thank you Karen Bower and Nicholas Reese for being marvelous hosts with thoughtful questions! I look forward to being invited back.

My district staff is always working to support the community, recognize deserving individuals and achievements and help constituents with problems. Orange County Senior District Representative Kim Carr (on left in photo) recently presented a certificate of recognition to Kristyann Reynolds at the grand opening of a Crumbl Cookies (Yum!) franchise in Ladera Ranch.

She also helped a constituent out of a big jam. The constituent reached out to us because she had received a notice from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) indicating she owed $6,000 in taxes. The constituent knew this was an error, as the taxable money in question was related to a deceased parent’s pension plan. 

She thought she had filled out her paperwork correctly but wanted to speak to someone at FTB to confirm. She struggled getting through and called my staff to help. Kim contacted the FTB and received notice a week later that the constituent was correct and that nothing was owed. 

We don’t always get results that quickly, but we’re here to help as best we can. If you have a state government issue my office can help with, please contact me at Senator.Blakespear@senate.ca.gov.

I am hosting regular District 38 Leadership Roundtables where I invite your local elected leaders to speak with me about their priorities. Last week, I hosted a roundtable in Mission Viejo with Orange County elected officials and city managers, and we had a great discussion about the issues confronting cities and state legislation that could help. Attending were Laguna Hills Mayor Janine Heft, Laguna Woods City Council Member Shari Horn, Rancho Santa Margarita Council Member Brad McGirr, San Juan Capistrano City Manager Ben Siegel and Mission Viejo Mayor Brian Goodell, Vice Mayor Trish Kelley, Council Member Cynthia Vasquez and City Manager Dennis Wilberg.

I enjoyed introducing myself and talking about my legislative priorities at the Vista Chamber of Commerce’s Meet the Leaders dinner. I am always looking for ways I can engage with and support the business community - and represent you well in the state Capitol!

It was so wonderful last week to meet with students from Carlsbad's La Costa Heights Elementary School at the State Capitol! Before visiting the Rotunda (pictures above and below), students met with my staff and had an engaging discussion about the impact and power of voting, as well as the importance of making voting readily accessible.

On Earth Day, communities across San Diego County participated in the annual Creek to Bay Cleanup and organized other related events. Encinitas held an Arbor Day celebration that included planting trees at Leucadia Oaks Park (photo above). Volunteers gathered to pick up trash from Buccaneer Beach in Oceanside (1st bottom photo) and Solana Beach (2nd bottom photo). Thanks to all who participated and helped out!

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