It's Nov. 1 - Let the holiday and bill prep season begin
Dear Friends and Neighbors‚
It’s November 1 – let the holiday season begin! As we start gearing up for the festivities‚ we have less time to spend online.
That’s why starting this month‚ I’ll be publishing a smaller newsletter‚ twice a month‚ giving you the latest about state public transit issues affecting your commute; advances in healthcare & mental health services; the current state of affordable housing and the rental market; workplace issues; public safety and more. All issues affecting your day-to-day lives and inspired by your input!
I know the state and local resources I include in my newsletter are helpful to many readers. Now you can find all those resources permanently located on my Senator Dave Cortese web page by clicking here. One click and you’re there!
My staff is now busy preparing bills for the 2025 California Legislative session that I will introduce or reintroduce in the next two -year session. That’s everything from regulating self-driving vehicles to guaranteed incomes for unhoused youth.
Meanwhile‚ as chair of the California Senate Transportation Committee‚ I have been traveling from the Central Valley to Los Angeles checking out the progress on game changing transit projects. They include high speed rail’s new viaduct construction and the Los Angeles Airport Connector Terminal – a model for our dreams coming to life at Diridon Station in San Jose!
The goal: less traffic congestion and damage to the environment and more options for getting around the state of California!
Let’s keep moving forward!
Dave Cortese‚ Senator
California Senate District 15
Checking out progress at the Hanford Viaduct last week‚ the Central Valley’s largest High Speed Rail construction site with members of the High Speed Rail Authority
High Speed Rail: Job Maker‚ Generational Economic Opportunity
As chair of the California Senate Transportation Committee‚ it was inspiring to see the progress being made at California’s high-speed rail project at the Hanford Viaduct‚ the Central Valley system’s largest construction site! I toured it in late October with members of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
It has created 14‚000 local jobs so far and we’re just getting warmed up. There will be thousands more since this is the largest state project since the aqueduct!
The economic opportunities for the state of California and local cities & towns will be extraordinary.
Stay tuned…more to come!
McFarland USA Athletes Dazzle The California Transportation Commission
The California Transportation Commission meeting in Bakersfield got a dose of state athletic star power in late October. Members of the Commission were honored to meet two of the original McFarland High School cross country runners portrayed in the movie McFarland USA - Danny Diaz (left of me) and Thomas Valles (right of me). They have inspired future generations and define tenacity!
The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a predominately Latino high school in McFarland‚ California – an underserved farm town with little opportunity in the Central Valley. A new coach recognizes the potential of the teens‚ but he first has to learn about the lives of the runners before he can coach them to become state champions. It is the story of underdogs triumphing over difficult obstacles.
Here is a preview of the movie.
LA Metro is in the process of electrifying the largest fleet of buses in the state of California.
I was given a tour of some of the bus lines by LA Metro’s government relations team.
Los Angeles Is Embracing Public Transportation
There’s nothing like seeing the progress of California’s major transportation projects up close and personal! The goal: decrease greenhouse gas emissions & traffic congestion while transforming how we travel around the state.
As chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee‚ I toured LA Metro’s bus electrification project in North Hollywood with the goal of getting to zero emissions by 2035. LA Metro has the largest public transportation system in the state of California with 2‚000 buses and the second largest in the nation. There are still many obstacles to resolve‚ but it is a model for the rest of the state.
Senator Cortese at LAX’s Airport Metro Connector is going to be the nerve center for getting connected to most modes of transportation. And it will be up and running for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
I also toured the soon-to-be opened Airport Metro Connector station that will feature a light rail station‚ bus plaza‚ bicycle parking‚ customer service center‚ passenger pick-up/drop-off area‚ and a direct connection to the future LAX Automated People Mover. This is a great example of what can be done in San Jose at Diridon Station in the future.
Let the games begin!
Zero Emission Goals
California’s 2030 zero emission goal is causing some financial concerns in some counties around the state of California.
In October‚ as chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee‚ I met with Santa Clara County’s Facilities & Fleets staff to discuss how the state can best support the County to reach its zero emission goal by 2030.
Facilities & Fleets was honored with two awards! One from Government Fleet as the 19th ranked in their Leading Fleets yearly ranking. Then they were ranked 4th in the Americas by NAFA as part of their Green Fleets Awards.
We hoisted the banners from the rafters in celebration!
Speaking at the Women in NAACP Luncheon (W.I.N.) in Los Angeles
“All In” at the NAACP Convention in Los Angeles
It was uplifting to speak at the Women in NAACP (WIN) Luncheon last week in Los Angeles with Rick Callender‚ president of the California/Hawaii State Conferences of the NAACP‚ U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters of Los Angeles & W.I.N. Award of Excellence recipient Yvonne Wheeler‚ president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
The theme of this year’s convention is “All In.” It is the NAACP’s commitment to continue to fight for civil rights & social justice.
Jim Plunkett when he was the quarterback for the Raiders‚ whom he led to two Super Bowl wins. He played college football for Stanford University winning the Heisman Trophy in 1970.
Time for the Pro Football Hall of Fame To Give Jim Plunkett His Due
I have joined other California Legislators & Stanford University in nominating Jim Plunkett for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
We will find out in early December if the former quarterback for the Raiders makes the final three nominees. Voting on final nominees is expected to take place in January and February 2025 before Super Bowl LIX.
I grew up in a home just a short distance from James Lick High School in East San Jose. I have nearly a dozen family members who went to James Lick including some who were there when Jim Plunkett was a star athlete. I’m proud to have grown up in the same Eastside neighborhoods where Jim Plunkett was raised. Representing the Eastside now as a state senator makes me even more aware of the injustice of Jim Plunkett’s delayed entry into the Football Hall of Fame. Both his parents were blind and he overcame all odds. I was in attendance at the 1971 Rose Bowl and watched him play.
Flag ceremony at the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Chamber.
Commemorating the End of War
In October we commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements that officially ended the Cambodian-Vietnam War.
There was a flag ceremony at the County Building in San Jose.
Playwright Luis Valdez and his wife and collaborator Lupe Valdez holding the California Senate Resolution honoring the academy named after Luis.
Renowned Playwright Luis Valdez At Ceremony for Distinguished School Named After Him
The Luis Valdez Leadership Academy was honored by the California State Senate! Playwright Luis Valdez and his wife and collaborator Lupe Valdez attended the ceremony.
The academy‚ located in the Eastside Union High School District on the Yerba Buena campus‚ was the only high school in Santa Clara County awarded as a California Distinguished High School by Tony Thurmond‚ state superintendent of public instruction. The school is a college preparatory academy that prepares first-generation students to experience academic and social success at a four-year university or college.
Full House for the Hispanic Charity Ball
The 35th annual Hispanic Charity Ball was a vibrant as ever with more than 700 in attendance! Pattie Cortese and I always look forward to this great event with former San Jose Mayor and Hispanic Foundation CEO Ron Gonzales! Great company‚ awards‚ food & entertainment - all for the greater good of our community.
Pictured with Tech Interactive CEO Katrina Stevens and Tech Humanitarian Award winner Dr. Fei-Fei Li.
Tech for Global Good
At the Tech for Global Good event‚ the 2024 James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award recipient was Dr. Fei-Fei Li for her groundbreaking research and development of responsible Artificial Intelligence. Tech Interactive CEO Katrina Stevens was honored for her leadership.
Mothers’ Milk Bank Saves Lives
Mothers’ Milk Bank California needs to be thanked many times over for all the organization has done for families across the state of California.
Maria Teresa Asquith founded the Mothers’ Milk Bank in 1974 for premature infants. Her organization has been supporting babies & communities ever since especially during challenging times such as the pandemic.
Buddist Patriarch Memorial Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the 2024 annual Congress of the Vietnamese American Buddhist Church took place in October at Dao Trang Phan Hoa Buddist Temple in San Jose.
It was also a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Charter of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam.
Beautiful Day Volunteers painting the overpass at Coleman & Almaden Expressway.
It’s a Beautiful Day
If you’re driving over the overpass at Coleman & Almaden Expressway‚ you will probably be as impressed as I was with the whimsical murals being painted by the volunteers of San Jose’s Beautiful Day. Thank you to Glenn Burkhardt for leading this volunteer effort!
Everything members touch makes our community brighter. If you’d like to volunteer‚ Beautiful Day can always use you help: Click here‚ roll up your sleeves & grab a paint brush.
14 Year Project Is Done
It’s taken more than a decade to complete the new Neighborhood Center at the Almaden Neighborhood Church which made its dedication a major community event!
It was an honor to be in on the ground floor of this project by securing a $50‚000 grant.
My office presented a California Senate Certificate of appreciation to Pastor Jordan Wong & Youth Pastor Jared Hostetler with many of the children who will fill the new center with activities!
Bridle Up Hope
Bridle Up Hope held a great late Saturday afternoon fundraiser to support its mental wellness program that uses horseback riding classes as therapy for women & girls.
The veteran-owned‚ nonprofit organization believes in the healing power of horses. The program equips participants with tools to manage life’s challenges.
Pictured at the event with Pattie Cortese‚ George Sanchez‚ Manuel Rubalcava & Monica Rivera.
75 Years of “Be Prepared” Scouting in Campbell
Scout Troop 330 of Campbell is celebrating its 75th anniversary! That’s a ton of adventures‚ camping‚ hiking‚ fresh air‚ friendship & community activities!
Troop 330 has served the children in the communities of Campbell‚ Los Gatos‚ Saratoga‚ and West San Jose since Oct 1‚ 1949!
With CEMA members and state Senator Aisha Wahab.
Strong Active United At 50th Anniversary
In October we celebrated the County Employees Management Association’s (CEMA) five decades of service and hard work here!
I’m particularly proud of the innovative union’s positive relationship with the state over the years.
It was a great family-oriented event!
Opinion: It’s past time to induct Jim Plunkett into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
By Luis Alejo and Ignacio Ornelas
Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) is dogged by New York Giants George Martin during their game at the Coliseum in Los Angeles‚ Sept. 22‚ 1986. (AP Photo/Lennox Mclendon)
Throughout National Football League history‚ there is only one legendary starting quarterback who won two Super Bowl rings and who’s yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite being eligible. San Jose native Jim Plunkett‚ who is Latino and Native American‚ is now 76 years old and is still awaiting the coveted induction and gold jacket.
But this month‚ the renowned Raiders quarterback received a significant boost behind his nomination into the Hall’s Class of 2025 with letters of support from State Senator Dave Cortese‚ Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia‚ the California Latino Legislative Caucus‚ the Native American Legislative Caucus and his alma mater‚ Stanford University.
What’s more‚ the inaugural Seniors Selection Committee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame placed Plunkett’s name in contention after narrowing the original candidate list of 182 down to 60. On Oct. 22‚ the committee narrowed the list further to 31‚ with Plunkett’s name still included‚ but will now vote on only nine semifinalists come November.
Plunkett‚ who lives in Atherton‚ starred in the NFL and has an inspirational life story of overcoming all the odds. He was born on Dec. 5‚ 1947‚ in San Jose to Mexican-American parents‚ William Gutierrez Plunkett and Carmen Blea. His mother was also of Cherokee Native American ancestry. But both parents suffered from blindness‚ and his family faced much economic hardship growing up. His father died at the age of 56 in 1969 just after his sophomore year in college.
But it was at East San Jose’s James Lick High School where Plunkett rose as a star athlete competing in football‚ basketball‚ baseball‚ track and wrestling after previously attending Overfelt High School.
He went on to graduate from Stanford‚ where he led the football team as quarterback to a Rose Bowl victory by defeating top-ranked Ohio State 27-17. He was subsequently awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1970‚ becoming the first Latino/Native American and the only Stanford player to ever win the prestigious honor.
In 1971‚ Plunkett was chosen for the first overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Boston Patriots‚ becoming the first Latino/Native American player to ever be drafted with the first overall pick. Plunkett would later play for the San Francisco 49ers from 1976 to 1978.
But in 1978‚ he joined the Oakland Raiders under legendary coach Tom Flores and led his team to four playoff victories‚ including the first-ever victory by a wild card team in Super Bowl XV on Jan. 25‚ 1981‚ over the Philadelphia Eagles. Plunkett was named game MVP‚ becoming the first person of color to quarterback a team to a Super Bowl victory. In January 1984‚ he again led the Raiders‚ who had by then moved to Los Angeles‚ to victory in Super Bowl XVIII with a resounding 38-9 win over Washington.
Plunkett was forced to retire in 1987 after a shoulder injury. But during his 17-year NFL career‚ he passed for 25‚882 yards and 164 touchdowns‚ adding 1‚337 yards and 14 touchdowns as a rusher. He has since been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (1990)‚ the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame (1990)‚ the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (1992)‚ the California Sports Hall of Fame (2007) and most recently the International Sports Hall of Fame (2024). But it’s the most prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame honor that continues to elude him despite prior nominations.
Today‚ Plunkett‚ who suffers from chronic sports-related health conditions‚ remains a source of pride for Californians‚ and his resilience and life story continue to be an inspiration about overcoming adversity. But it’s an injustice to see one of our greatest quarterbacks in NFL history wait for this ultimate recognition. It’s time to finally induct Jim Plunkett into the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Luis Alejo is a Monterey County supervisor representing Salinas‚ and Ignacio Ornelas is a lecturer and archivist at Stanford University.
Fentanyl Awareness: Preventing Babies and Children from Dying
Tragic cases like this one involving an innocent‚ dependent toddler are the reason I authored Senate Bill 908 to help stop fentanyl exposure to young children.
Now signed into law‚ it will give California counties better tools to protect its youngest victims like 24-month old Kristofer Ferreira.
The State Department of Public Health must now track and analyze trends in fentanyl-related deaths of children five and younger. Preventative guidelines will be given to adults & caregivers in hospitals‚ doctors’ offices‚ hospital maternity units‚ addiction clinics‚ daycare operations and more.
Troubled Teens Who Need More Treatment
This is far from over. Please take a minute and read.
“State Sen. Dave Cortese‚ a former Santa Clara County supervisor‚ says the scattered (home) sites should close and that he’s working with county supervisor Sylvia Arenas to clear the way for more therapeutic options for troubled teens.”
Read full article by clicking here.
Bay Area Kids Book Fair - FREE in Cupertino THIS SATURDAY
Nursery Workday (Medium to High Intensity)
Alum Rock Trail Crew - Monthly Community Day Event!
Raptor Fest at Rancho San Vicente!
Exploring Entrepreneurship 2024
SJ Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Class - In Person, In English
SouthBay Collaborative Planning Meeting
Hand Made Ornaments Needed for the Capitol Christmas Tree in Sacramento
As always‚ please feel free to contact me with any questions‚ comments‚ or concerns. I can be reached at senator.cortese@sen.ca.gov or by calling (408) 558-1295.