Hello Friends,
I hope you are having a lovely start to your New Year! I'm so grateful to have begun my second term representing Assembly District 28 in the California State Assembly. Serving my community in this role is truly the honor of a lifetime. I know the past few months have been challenging, from the fires in Los Angeles to the collapse of the far end of the Santa Cruz Wharf. Together, we can resolve to be resilient and work to support our community to rebuild and come back stronger.
In order to be prepared for future emergencies, I recommend visiting the emergency preparedness webpages for the Santa Clara County Fire Department or the Santa Cruz County Fire Department, depending on where you live.
In this quarterly update, I will share:
Woman of the Year Nominations
March is Women's History Month, and I'm excited to celebrate it in the district once again! Last year, I started a tradition of inviting our community to nominate exceptional women who live in or serve our community, and we honored an inspiring group at our Women of the Year event. Learning about the incredible work women are doing-from Santa Cruz to South County-across education, science, philanthropy, and business is truly inspiring. Their contributions create lasting ripples of change throughout our state.
I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the women who have made an impact on your life and community and nominate them for recognition through this form. You can also read about our wonderful 2024 Women of the Year here.
Budget Updates
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently released his $322 billion draft budget, and in short, I'll share that it is a more optimistic picture of the California budget than many anticipated. While the small surplus included in his proposal was a welcome change from the significant deficit we had to contend with last year, the devastating fires in Los Angeles and the unknown actions from the Trump Administration will likely impact that surplus. As of today, the Governor's plan includes increasing the state's reserves while maintaining investments in critical priorities such as wildfire prevention, public safety, housing, and education.
Governor Newsom has now sent his budget proposal to the California State Legislature. My colleagues and I in the State Assembly will have the chance to dive into the details of the proposal. As always, I will thoughtfully evaluate this proposal and seek to understand how this plan will impact the residents of Assembly District 28. The State Legislature will send our proposed amendments to the budget back to the Governor in the next few months. In May, Governor Newsom will send a revised budget back to the State Legislature and we will have until June 15 to approve the final 2025-26 budget.
If you'd like to learn more about the Governor's proposed budget, you can read about it here.
Legislative Updates
The 2025-2026 legislative session is officially underway! My colleagues and I in the State Legislature are busy finalizing our legislative packages for the year. While there are a myriad of important issues to address around the state, my top priority this year is lowering the cost of living for Californians. Addressing the cost of living is a priority for many lawmakers in Sacramento, including legislative leaders, so I am confident we can make a meaningful impact on this issue facing all of us.
Aside from the cost of living, my legislative package will also center on the topics of mental health and elections. As I have shared before, my family has been profoundly impacted by mental health and I am dedicated to ensuring people around the state have the mental health resources they need. And, as the Chair of the Assembly Elections Committee, I am finding ways to continually improve our elections system.
While we haven't voted on many bills yet, I did have the chance to proclaim January Human Trafficking Awareness Month on the Assembly Floor. Hosting some of the most dedicated advocates fighting for a world free from forced labor and sex trafficking was an absolute privilege. I was also honored to hold an adjournment in memory of Morgan Hill Hill philanthropist and publisher Marty Cheek on the Assembly Floor. Marty was not only a gifted journalist but also a deeply cherished community advocate who devoted his career to uplifting the spirit of South County.
Recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Month
I'm still thinking about the powerful day I spent last month with my colleague, Assemblymember Maggy Krell, and survivor leaders. On January 21, we introduced ACR 9, officially recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This resolution was shaped in close collaboration with survivors, with a clear goal: tackling the root causes that allow these crimes to continue. ACR 9 passed the Assembly Floor with unanimous support-a strong statement that this legislature is serious about fighting misinformation and making sure people understand the realities of human trafficking.
What made the day even more impactful was our human trafficking policy roundtable. Survivor leaders showed incredible courage, speaking with us at the State Capitol and reminding us why we can't let up. We need stronger protections, better support services, and real prevention efforts. Their stories weren't just moving-they were a demand for action. And I'm determined to make sure we deliver.
Special Legislative Session:
In December, the California State Legislature convened a Special Legislative Session focused on preserving California's values. It is clear to me is that state leaders are united in our dedication to making California a welcoming, safe place for all. It is also evident that the current administration's values and priorities differed greatly from those of most Californians. We continue to work on legislation to allocate budget funds toward protecting the freedoms that define California.
Since the election, I have met with state, county, and city officials, along with law enforcement, school leaders, nonprofits, and community members. It is evident that in both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties, we are committed to supporting and protecting our immigrant communities along with the many other vulnerable populations in California.
Just days ago, the California State Assembly voted to approve $50 million in funding for legal battles against the federal government and to support legal groups defending immigrants. The legislature also approved $2.5 billion for wildfire response and recovery efforts.
In the Community
Celebrating the Holidays
I thoroughly enjoyed spending the holiday season in Assembly District 28! I had the joy of celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah. I celebrated with family and friends and connected with many wonderful community members.
Elections Discussions
As a former Chief Elections Official and the Chair of the Assembly Election Committee, I had the privilege of engaging in a few different meaningful conversations about all things elections. I spoke to students at San Jose State University about my work to strengthen election processes and sat down with League of Women Voters groups to discuss our democracy. As someone who has seen the nitty gritty of ballot counting unfold firsthand, I am constantly reminding people that California has incredibly secure elections and that I take any accusations about election integrity very seriously.
Visiting the Wharf & a Tornado in Scotts Valey
I visited the Santa Cruz Wharf and Harbor to see firsthand the damage left behind by the historic swells in December. The dedication of first responders, harbor crews, and local leaders was evident in their swift actions to protect lives and safeguard our community. Recovery won't happen overnight, but I'm committed to working alongside local, county, state, and federal partners to ensure we rebuild stronger and more resilient against future climate-driven challenges. On December 14, we had a rare tornado with wind speeds up to 90 mph strike Scotts Valley, overturning cars, downing trees and power lines, damaging our middle school, and injuring several people. I am continuing to advocate to state officials about the importance of a Disaster Declaration to meet the needs of the Santa Cruz community. I want to thank the City of Santa Cruz for repairing and reopening the wharf swiftly so the wharf businesses could get back to serving their customers.
Groundwater Replenishment Project
I had the joy of attending the ribbon-cutting for the Soquel Creek Water District groundwater replenishment project! This initiative will play a vital role in preventing seawater intrusion and ensuring a sustainable water supply that aligns with community values and state requirements. It's a significant step towards enhancing resilience against drought and climate change while providing a safe, high-quality water source for everyone.
National Conference of State Legislatures
I had the great honor to attend and speak at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) 2024 Election Huddle: Takeaways and Implications, in Utah. Utah's Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of State Deidre Henderson welcomed us and participated in a panel with me, Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, and Kansas Representative Pat Proctor as we shared election successes over the years and discussed ways to improve our election systems.
Combatting Antisemitism
As a member of the Assembly Jewish Caucus, I am committed to combatting antisemitism. I joined Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen and American Jewish Committee (AJC) Regional Director Seth Brysk on a panel discussing how we're combatting rising antisemitism. I was proud to share Jewish Caucus priority bills that have been approved by the Governor, and grateful to learn more about the efforts of my fellow panelists. Thank you to Jessica Blitchok for moderating the discussion, and to Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz for hosting us all at Congregation Emeth in Morgan Hill.
Upcoming District Events
I am excited to kick this year off by hosting some of my favorite community events! You will see more information about upcoming district events in separate emails, but I want to update you on some of the events I'll hold in the coming months.
- Community Conversations: one-on-one discussions with residents from the community.
- Paws and Policy: informal get-togethers at local dog parks.
- Hike a Trail with Gail: group hikes in nature throughout Assembly District 28.
- Taking Care of Business: strolls through the different business districts of our community.
I'll also be holding the same larger, annual events I held last year like Women of the Year in March and CareFair in September. You can see the most up-to-date information at the events link on my website here!
Constituent Services
As your State Assemblymember, I'm here to help with issues involving state agencies like the DMV, Franchise Tax Board, and EDD. I also want to hear your opinions on legislation or any concerns impacting our state. If you need assistance, have questions, or wish to share your views, visit my CONTACT portal or call one of the district offices below:
- San Jose Office: 408-264-2848
- Santa Cruz Office: 831-425-1503
With nearly half a million constituents in AD28, I may not be able to honor every meeting request, but my dedicated scheduler works hard to accommodate as many as possible. To submit a scheduling request, click here.
If you know of a community leader, organization, special occasion, or achievement deserving of recognition, I'd be delighted to provide a Certificate of Recognition and present it in person when my schedule allows. Simply contact one of my district offices by phone or through the CONTACT portal with the details.
Resources
Know Your Rights
At the link above you can find a variety of immigration resources from trusted state, national, and non-profit organizations offering free or low-cost legal assistance. It also includes country-specific resources and rapid response networks to ensure immediate support during immigration enforcement actions. These tools are designed to empower you and your community with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate complex situations confidently.
Crisis Lifeline
Calling 9-8-8 is a crisis lifeline similar to 9-1-1, offering 24/7 free and confidential support for individuals in distress or thinking about suicide.
CalKIDS
CalKIDS provides savings accounts for newborns and eligible low-income public school students, with up to $1,500 from the state for higher education.
Older Adult Resources
California's Department of Aging offers many resources for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers.
Thank you for reading my Winter newsletter. I hope you find this to be a helpful resource with the information that you're looking for from your State Assemblymember.
Thank you and be well,
Gail Pellerin
Assemblymember, District 28
