Dear Neighbor,

2021 marked the start of a new two-year session where I introduced twenty-four bills. The priority issues were those you said were important in the district and included housing, the environment, broadband access, health care and immigration.

However, in May, members of the legislature were asked to move only 12 bills due to the shortened legislative calendar caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any of my bills that did not move forward this year, will continue to move in 2022.

The great news is that so far, the Governor has signed four of my bills!

This includes:

• AB 832: Extended the eviction moratorium and expanded access to financial relief for tenants with rent in arrears, while ensuring that small landlords remained whole. Need help? Find local partners here.
• SB 24 Calley’s Law Strengthens Domestic Violence restraining orders by  protecting sensitive information from being released to an abusive partner.
• SB 347 The California Community and Neighborhood Tree Fund which creates a voluntary contribution on the state income tax form to provide a consistent source of funding to CalFire’s Urban and Community Forestry program, with a special focus on small, disadvantaged communities that struggle with long-term care and maintenance costs of tree planting programs.
• SB 87 the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program which allocated over $2 billion to help small businesses recover from the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. * Visit CAReliefGrant.com for more information. New applications will be accepted starting September 9^th 2021.

But wait, there’s more! I was also able to secure some BIG budget wins for the district, and beyond.

$15 Million for District Essential Public Safety Projects:

• $2 Million for the City of Mendota for public safety regional support
• $2 Million for the City of Firebaugh for public safety regional support
• $2 Million for the City of San Joaquin for public safety regional support
• $4 Million for the City of Huron for an ambulance and facility 
• $5 Million for the City of Gonzalez for a teen innovation center

• $3.25 billion to build, operate and maintain an open access, state-owned middle mile network – high-capacity fiber lines that carry large amounts of data at higher speeds over longer distances between local networks.
• $2 billion to set up last-mile broadband connections that will connect homes and businesses with local networks. The legislation expedites project deployment and enables Tribes and local governments to access this funding. 
• $750 million for a loan loss reserve fund to bolster the ability of local governments and nonprofits to secure financing for broadband infrastructure.
• Creation of a broadband czar position at the California Department of Technology, and a broadband advisory committee with representatives from across state government and members appointed by the Legislature.

For the full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

So, what’s next? The Legislature reconvened from Summer Recess on August 16th, and has until September 10^th to pass the remaining bills moving forward this year, and I will continue fighting for the remainder of my bills.

• SB 6: Increasing the Housing Supply
• SB 28: Closing the digital divide
• SB 323: Local government: water or sewer service: legal actions.
• SB 365: Expanding Healthcare Reimbursements for Telehealth Visits
• SB 395: Healthy Outcomes and Prevention Education Act
• SB 714: Allowing DREAMers to be Appointed and Elected on County Central Committees
• SB 409: Pharmacy Practice: SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Testing
• SB 472: Social Innovation Financing Program

Please feel free to contact my office with questions or concerns. We can help you with state agencies like EDD and the DMV as well.

Sincerely, 

Senator Anna Caballero
State Senator, 12^th Senate District

CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program: Now Covering 100% of Rent and Utilities for Income-Eligible Renters and Landlords.

The State of California has increased funding for income-eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19 to cover 100% of unpaid and future rent or utilities. This increase in rental assistance payments to 100% of unpaid rent will help make landlords whole and keep tenants housed. You can verify your eligibility for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program and apply immediately by visitingHousingIsKey.com, or by calling 833-430-2122.Additionally, if you are an applicant who has already received funding through the program, you will be compensated the difference to receive 100%coverage–there is no need to re-apply! California’s critical eviction protections have also been extended for renters impacted by COVID-19,through September 30, 2021, to help keep vulnerable families housed.

 WHO CAN APPLY?

Renters: If you are an income-eligible renter, you can apply on your own and receive financial assistance for unpaid rent, dating back to April 1, 2020, or help with future payments, even if your landlord doesn’t participate. If you are an income-eligible renter whose landlord does participate in the program, you will need to complete the joint application. Once your landlord applies, you will be notified to submit information to complete the application process.

Landlords:

If you are a landlord and participate in the COVID-19 Rent Relief program, you can get reimbursed directly for 100% of your eligible renters’ unpaid rent, dating back to April 1, 2020.

WHAT HELP CAN YOU GET?

Assistance is available for 100% of unpaid rent and utilities, dating back to April 1, 2020, as well as future rent and utility payments. Utility payments will be paid directly to utility providers at 100% of cost, but are limited to a total of 12 months.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW?

The application process has been significantly simplified. It now takes less time to complete, requires less paperwork to be uploaded, and offers helpful tips throughout the application. Assistance from the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program does NOT count as earned income for renters and will NOT affect eligibility for any other California state benefit assistance programs, such as CalFresh and CalWORKS. All applicant information is kept private and will not be shared. Income-eligible applicants may qualify regardless of immigration status and will not be required to show proof of citizenship.

HOW TO APPLY

To check eligibility and apply, visit HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122. Once your application has been processed, you will be notified about your application status and next steps.

If you need assistance in another language or need help checking eligibility, filling out your application or uploading paperwork, schedule an appointment with a local organization near you by calling 833-687-0967 or visit: Housing is Key

Clinica de Salud Named Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 12

Each year, I have the distinct honor of recognizing one nonprofit from the 12th Senate District. This year, Assembly member Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) and I both selected the same organization to recognize.

Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas, has been an invaluable partner throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March of 2021, they have vaccinated 48,872 persons, including many of our region’s most vulnerable residents, farm and food production workers. Their work has made the Salinas Valley a model for effective vaccination efforts in a rural, agricultural area.

During a time when little was known about the virus, Dr. Cuevas, CSVS’s CEO, participated in multiple town hall meetings held by my office in both English and Spanish to educate our vulnerable communities. The organization was also diligent in collecting and distributing desperately needed PPE for farmworkers and other low-income essential workers. It is no surprise to me that both Assembly member Rivas and I selected the same nonprofit to bestow such an award. It simply speaks to their value during a time when our community needed them most.

Riley’s Brewing Earns Small Business of the Year Award for Senate District 12

Congratulations to all recipients of the 2021 California Small Business of the Year Award. This year, I proudly selected Riley’s Brewing Co. Riley's is a veteran-owned company known for charitable contributions and community involvement. They have donated resources to aid victims of human trafficking, and have supported police and first responders in manufacturing disinfectant and hand sanitizer to combat COVID-19. Thank you, Riley's Brewing and congratulations!

I was not able to recognize Riley’s in 2020 due to COVID restrictions, so it was my honor to select them once again in 2021 to honor all of their work.

Watch all 2020 Recipients Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZnmpYke5kA&feature=youtu.be

California Latino Legislative Caucus 2021 Scholarship Award

This year I had the extreme honor of selecting Kerman High School graduate, Asim Wahab, for the California Latino Legislative Caucus scholarship for $5,000. Congratulations, Asim! Well done.

“Throughout my educational career at Kerman, I have strived to live by the idea that the success of my goals is not defined by the circumstances I am in, but rather the amount of time and effort I dedicate towards accomplishing those goals. Reflecting back, I realize that this profound mindset is the backbone of the leader and accomplished student I am today, as well as the diligent individual I will continue to be in the future. I intend to move forward with my educational career at the University of California, Berkeley, where I plan to major in Psychology as well as Business Administration. As I embark on this new chapter in my life, I know not of the challenges that lie ahead of me, but I know through my experiences that I am more than capable of overcoming them.” –Asim Wahab,

2021 Young Legislators Program

While our program was different this year, it was still a success! The Young Legislators Program provides young people with an introduction to the workings of government and helps to build a strong foundation for our youth who want to get involved in the leadership of their community. We had over thirty 9-12 graders in attendance from throughout Senate District 12.

The students participated in a mock committee hearing and each student was assigned a role to play, arguing and voting on real bills before the legislature. They did a fantastic job and learned a lot. I am so proud of them. Congratulations!

U.S Senator Alex Padilla Visits the Central Valley

California has made the declaration that clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right, but that declaration needs to be met with sizable investment.

I was glad to join local, state and federal leaders last month in Dos Palos where we were able share that we had secured $11 million to build a much needed resilient water filtration system for the city.

It was an honor to have been joined by Senator Alex Padilla who has a deep commitment to a vision of our Valley where all can all grow and thrive

San Benito County Receives $14,000 Grant

The San Benito County Free Library recently received a grant from the California State Library for a high-speed internet upgrade. You can read all about it here.

EPIC de Cesar Chavez High School Graduation

Congratulations to the 2021 Graduates of the Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership Development (FIELD). Honored to join graduates from the Salinas and Merced cohorts. !Si Se Puede!

Youth Navigation Center, Grand Opening

This first of its kind facility in Stanislaus County will provide shelter, housing, and comprehensive drop-in services for youth 13-24 experiencing crisis, housing instability and/or homelessness. Congratulations to the Youth Navigation Center, (YNC) on the grand opening of such a critical service in the community.

Madison Raises $2,000 for Merced County Community Action Agency

Wanting to follow the entrepreneurial example of her older sibling, Madison decided to open her very own lemonade stand. With the help of her mother, and the support of so many members of the community, Madison was able to raise $2,000 for the D St. homeless shelter in Merced!

West Side Mural Artist, Jose Jesus Elias

 Elias has wedded his Mexican heritage and his California surroundings in much of his work. He is widely recognized for his artwork and the many murals that he has created throughout the rural communities in West Fresno County.

“Since I had the experience of living that reality to leave my country in search of adventure…I decided to express, through my paintings, my own experience and the experience of other immigrants. Part of the reality of leaving our land and release yourself from your identity is to accommodate a new culture. My paintings represent the sentiments, struggles, spirit, strength, energy, honor and dedication of our parents and or families as they put their lives in danger against death.” – Jose Jesus Elias

Senator Caballero Joins Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula in Madera to present $15 Million Check to the San Joaquin River Conservancy

This year’s budget included $15 million to the San Joaquin River Conservancy— the first time it has had any funding at all. This money will be instrumental in expanding the property, and adding staff to help maintain the area. With so few accessible riverfront areas in the Central Valley, this investment will be one that will bring families out and enjoying nature for many years to come.

Intern Spotlight

Karina Aguirre is a King City High School graduate and currently attending the University of Southern California where she is studying Law, History, and is a Culture Major. While Karina was with us, she was an instrumental part of organizing the Young Legislators Program, and was an invaluable member of our Salinas office.

I was thrilled to see so many Olympians from the Golden State!

California has long been a dominant athletic and cultural force at the Games.

Read more here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/23/us/california-olympics.html