A Look Back on 2021- My Year in Review
Dear Neighbors,
The California Legislature had a productive legislative session this past year tackling a wide range of areas, from making it easier to build affordable housing, expanding access to mental health treatment, strengthening our healthcare and hospital systems, safeguarding our environment, and more.
In 2022, I will continue to focus my attention on the many issues confronting Santa Clara County and our neighbors.
As always, please reach out to me at Senator.Cortese@senate.ca.gov if you have an interest in any particular issue or with your priorities for 2022. Thank you.
My Authored Bills that Became Law in 2021:
- SB 461 – “Consumer Protection Law” - allows local communities to better fight back against unethical and deceptive business practices
- SB 564 – “Santa Clara County Hospitals” - ensures the seismic safety of Santa Clara County hospitals by 2024
- SB 780 – “Local Economic Development; Funding for Affordable Housing” - revitalizes tools to support local infrastructure, economic development and affordable housing
- SB 791 – “California Surplus Land Unit” - creates the California Surplus Land Unit to expedite the construction of affordable housing on local vacant lands
- AB 1171 – “Ending Spousal Rape” – provides the same penalties for spousal rape as any other rape in the California Penal Code
- SB 383 – “Juvenile Justice Diversion” - increases access to supportive programs for youth that commit non-violent felonies
- AB 80 – “Economic Aid to Small Businesses” – provides immediate relief to workers and small business impacted by COVID-19
- SB 411 – “The Working After Retirement Act” - helps retirees continue post-retirement opportunities to earn income without penalty
- SB 790 – “Wildlife Connectivity Barriers” - ensures that state agencies can access funds to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and protect wildlife
- SB 7 – “Environmental Leadership & Economic Development” – provides an infusion of green jobs and energy efficient housing across the state
- SB 87 – “COVID-19 Relief Grants” – creates the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant program for impacted small business, non-profits, and cultural institutions
To learn more about this legislation, read analyses of bills, votes, and legislative publications, visit leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
My Requests Secured in the 2021-2022 State Budget:
- Student Mental Health - an augmentation of $205,000,000 to create school and county mental health partnerships across California
- Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings Project - $2,000,000 to create connectivity and a safe crossing for trail users to enjoy the natural beauty of our Santa Cruz Mountains
- Litter Abatement - $2,000,000 to assist local jurisdictions with the removal of trash and debris from local streets and along state highways in Santa Clara County
- VTA Recovery - $20,000,000 to VTA to provide post-tragedy relief to traumatized employees and help get essential transit services running again as soon as possible
- Universal Basic Income - an historic $35,000,000 “California Guaranteed Income Pilot Program” to serve California youth exiting the state’s extended foster care program as well as pregnant women
- San José - Evergreen Community College District - a planning and community engagement grant of $1,000,000 to plan the development of vacant college property to serve students
- Wildfire Preparedness Technologies - over $2,000,000 to provide state-of-the-art technology to communicate securely and effectively during a wildfire or natural disaster including emergency mobile cell phone coverage
This month, I joined Assemblymembers Luz Rivas, Lisa Calderon, Chris Ward, Tasha Boerner Horvath, Eduardo Garcia, and Isaac Bryan, to announce our commitment to introduce legislation in 2022 that would integrate climate literacy into California’s education system and ensure ALL students learn about climate change. Climate change will be a defining feature of our students’ world, whatever career path they may take. Education is key to addressing our climate emergency and will help young people understand that they have the power to make a positive difference in our world.
Climate change literacy is a critical outcome of K–12 education for our California students and the impetus behind the “Cortese Kids Climate Club” to teach students grade 3-12 about environmental stewardship through learning activities, tips, and contests.
Educated students can inspire adults towards greater levels of climate awareness. A 2019 study by Nature Climate Change found that teaching children about climate change in schools also significantly increased their parents’ concern over the issue. Students carry great power in uplifting climate change discussions at home. Additionally, a National Public Radio poll found that 80% of parents in the U.S. supported the teaching of climate change, and 86% of teachers believe climate change should be taught at schools.
With the federal $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed, California expects to receive the largest long-term investment in our state’s infrastructure in nearly a century!
California expects to receive:
- $25.3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $4.2 billion for bridge replacement and repairs over five years
- $9.45 billion over five years to improve public transportation options across the state
- $384 million over five years to support the expansion of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the state and the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging
- A minimum of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state
- $84 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $40 million to protect against cyberattacks
- $3.5 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure clean, safe drinking water for California communities
- $1.5 billion for infrastructure development for airports over five years
In case you missed my “Saratoga Power Lunch” with Mayor Yan Zhao and the City of Saratoga where I provided state updates around housing, climate change and more, you can watch our full chat at this link.
Take charge of your family’s health. Sign up to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for your child (ages 5 and older) by visiting myturn.ca.gov or calling the CA COVID-19 Hotline 7 days a week at 833-4CA-4ALL.
Watch my recent COVID-19 Vaccination for Children PSA at this link.
While there is much to learn about the Omicron variant, we all already know the best ways to protect ourselves. Getting vaccinated, testing regularly, wearing a mask, and staying home when you are sick are the best tools we have to stay safe.
Stay protected! The booster shot is available at many locations in Santa Clara County. Learn more about boosters at these links: English & Spanish.
Find a drop-in clinic or schedule an appointment at www.sccFreeVax.org or by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov.
The State Legislature made an historic investment of $6 billion this year to make broadband more accessible and to close our digital divide. Please be aware that you may be eligible for a temporary FCC program that is helping households afford internet service during these unprecedented times. This program can provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. There are over 80 providers that are authorized to administer these benefits in Senate District 15. Learn more at this link.
Here are some safe and fun opportunities to volunteer, get out and explore our local community!
- Celebration of Light – Join the City of Saratoga and the Saratoga Ministerial Association to celebrate community and diversity through light, 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 11 at Blaney Plaza in Saratoga Village. Learn more here.
- Signing Santa Event – This December 11th from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino, deaf and hard of hearing children, along with their families, are invited to meet and enjoy time with a Santa Clause who understands sign language! Learn more here.
- Downtown San Jose Farmers Market – Every Friday from May 7 - Dec 17 (except July 2 and Nov. 26) from 10 am to 2 pm. More information at this link.
Vintage Market at the San Jose Flea Market – Every 2nd & 4th Fridays & Saturdays of the Month, the Market will feature over 70 vendors, many food trucks, and rotating local DJs. More information at this link.
Wildfire Preparedness Town Hall (Recording)
For those of you that missed it, check out a recording of our recent Wildfire Preparedness Town Hall at this link. During this informative presentation and discussion, we were joined by experts from the Santa Clara County Fire Department, the San Jose Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and the Insurance Commissioner’s Office, including Santa Clara County Fire Chief Brian Glass and Battalion Chief Chief Mike Mathiesen, San José Fire Department Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr, CAL FIRE Unit Chief Jake Hess and Assistant Chief Nick Ciardella. The audience learned about local response, insurance resources, defensible space, home hardening, evacuation coordination, and much more.
In the Video Gallery posted on my website you can find recordings of my recent Town Halls, interviews, news conferences, video compilations, bill hearings, and more. Missed a recent SD 15 event or want to learn more about my budget and legislative priorities? Check out my Video Gallery at this link!
State Resources on My Website
State resources and services available during the pandemic have been posted on my new website: sd15.sen.ca.gov. Just click on the "COVID-19" link under the “Resources” tab of my website to get connected to some of the most frequently used state resources, including resources for businesses and employers, students, those in need of housing and financial assistance, and more.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, comments, or concerns. I can be reached at senator.cortese@sen.ca.gov.
Thank you,
Dave Cortese
