Hello Neighbor,
Happy New Year! I trust that you had a restful holiday spent with family and friends. The legislature begins a new session in 2025 and I expect that, as anything else in life, will have both challenges and rewards. This session includes the largest class of women legislators in the state’s history, where a historic 49% of the members are women. We are closer than ever to achieving gender parity, a testament to the hard work of the Legislative Women’s Caucus at the local level. Wow, so exciting!
As we usher in the New Year, it is important to take stock of the lessons, accomplishments and even challenges that we faced in 2024. I am incredibly proud of my team that work to assist residents that need help accessing state services, participate in community events and help with important legislation. Their dedication and commitment to public service is unmatched, (I might be a little biased, of course!) In 2024, we successfully passed a bill package that included strengthened protections for survivors of sexual assault and the creation of small lot size housing. I also passed legislation to expedite hydrogen production, accessing Inflation Reduction Act federal funds to produce high-wage, green union jobs--in direct response to the need to make; good jobs a priority in our communities.
In 2024, we said farewell to the Salinas Valley and San Benito County, as part of Senate District 14; a region that I have represented for thirty years. While bittersweet, we gathered to celebrate our many victories, partnerships and memories.
So, here’s to 2025, a new opportunity to work together, reach new goals and count new blessings.
In this newsletter, please enjoy some of our biggest highlights of 2024. As always, feel free to reach out to the Merced or Fresno district office should you need assistance.
Sincerely,
Senator Anna Caballero
State Senator, 14th Senate District
End of the Year Wrap-Up By the Numbers
Did you know that district staff assists with the state-related matters?
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Foreclosure Prevention Programs
• Consumer Complaints
• Veterans' Benefits
• Unemployment and Disability Insurance
• State Taxes
• Professional Conduct or Licensing Complaints
• Medi-Cal and Covered California
What are our constituents saying about our customer service?
“I really want to acknowledge your whole staff on engaging me so quickly! Thanks to your incredible staff, especially Joe Ballas, for handling my situation so kindly and promptly walking me through each step, listening and guiding me through the whole process. He made me feel like a human, not just a number or a nuisance.”
Our offices have assisted with over 150 cases in 2024.
From ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies to parades, resource fairs and meetings in person or via zoom—my staff and I enjoy getting out and participating in community events. Your issues and concerns are important to us. Please give us a call if you would like us to attend a special event in your neighborhood.
Staff Participated in over 1,000 Meetings and Events in 2024.
I love to hear about the wonderful work and service that so many of you do in our community. If you know someone who is being honored for their work or who should be honored, my office can provide a certificate of recognition to acknowledge their outstanding service. Please call the district office nearest you for more information.
In 2024, my office provided approximately 4,100 Senate Certificates of Recognition.
Senate Resolutions honor organizations or individuals, call attention to special events, express sympathy on the death of a person, or recognize days, weeks, or months as representative of some activity or cause of importance.
In 2024, my Office Presented 30 Senate Resolutions.
Democracy works best when everyone participates. This year my office launched our inaugural Adult Legislators Program, modeled after our Young Legislators Program that we host every summer. Participants learned about how our system of government operates at all levels and the rights and freedoms granted to us by the constitution. I am excited to see how participants will use their leadership skills to make improvements in their communities. Please contact my office for more information if you are interested in participating in a future cohort of either program.
