Hi friends,
June is here -- and with it comes sunshine, Pride celebrations, and a flurry of legislative activity as we head into the final stretch of the Assembly's first half. This month's newsletter is packed with community events, budget updates, and a look at how my bills are moving through the legislative process. Let's dive in.
Message on the Budget
We're facing a challenging budget year, and tough decisions lie ahead as we work to finalize a plan that will carry us through the next fiscal year. Not long ago, our state was operating with a surplus-now we're staring down a deep deficit.
The Governor's May Revise includes some promising proposals, like reduced cuts to the UC system, funding for statewide vaccine distribution, and continued support for universal school meals. But even with these bright spots, the overall picture remains difficult.
Our Budget Subcommittees have been meeting diligently, combing through every line to craft a budget that protects our most vulnerable communities while operating in a time of scarcity. The deadline to deliver a balanced budget to the Governor is June 15. I will deliver more information as details are finalized and budget data is made public.
Upcoming Events
Tails & Trails
There are still a few spots left for our dog friendly hike happening this Sunday, June 8! My labradoodle Darwin, staff and I will embark on the beautiful San Vicente Redwoods trail in the Santa Cruz Mountains from 9 am - 12 pm. We'll enjoy the fresh air, connect with each other, and talk about the issues that matter most to our community. Along the way, you'll learn more about the area's natural history and recovery efforts since the CZU Fire. RSVP as soon as possible to ensure you have a spot, as space is limited to 20 participants! If you and your pup can't make it this time, don't worry, we'll be hitting the trails again soon.
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Webinar
June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness month, which is a perfect opportunity to raise awareness around the 2nd leading cause of death overall for Californians in 2022, and to learn the warning signs that can help detect the disease early.
Assemblymember Dawn Addis and I are teaming up once again to host this webinar presented by the Alzheimer's Association. Join us to learn how to recognize common signs of the disease; how to approach someone about memory concerns; the importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; possible tests and assessments for the diagnostic process, and Alzheimer's Association resources.
The webinar will take place on June 27, from 10 - 11 am. Please register here or by calling 800-272-3900.
Other Community Events This Month
- San Jose Pride Flag Raising
📍 San Jose City Hall, 200 E Santa Clara St| June 3 | 🕙 5:00 PM - Morgan Hill Pride Flag Raising
📍 17575 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill| June 13 | 🕙 5:30 PM - Juneteenth in the Streets
📍 SoFA District South 1st St, San Jose | June 14 | 🕙 12:00 PM-7:00 PM
📜 Legislative Updates
The Assembly Appropriations Committee dispensed this month with 666 bills! We had to make some incredibly difficult decisions for this rough budget year and hold some great bills in committee that I'm hopeful to see in future sessions. I'm proud to report that 4 out of my 5 bills in the committee made it out successfully and are headed to be heard on the Assembly Floor for the last time before heading to the Senate!
You can learn more about my 2025 legislative package on my website, and track the progress by clicking the links attached to the bill numbers.
Past Events
Wildfire Home Hardening Town Hall
Teaming up with fellow wildfire preparedness enthusiast Councilmember George Casey to bring a Wildfire Home Hardening Town Hall to District 28 was a huge success! When it comes to destructive fires, information and preparation are our strongest defense. I'm incredibly grateful to all the partners and fire experts who joined us for a meaningful evening focused on what's being done and what we can each do to build more fire-resilient communities.
Huge thanks to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Santa Clara County Fire, San Jose Fire Department, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network for sharing their knowledge and time.
If you couldn't join us in person, the livestream recording is available on my website. I look forward to bringing a version of this event to Santa Cruz County in the near future.
Non Profit of the Year
A few weeks ago, members of the Legislature were invited to select a Nonprofit of the Year to be honored from our respective districts. It was such a joy to invite Darrie Ganzhorn and Nancy Jones to accept a resolution on behalf of the Homeless Garden Project.
For the past 35 years, the Homeless Garden Project has been a beacon of compassion in the Santa Cruz community, providing people experiencing homelessness with tools, training, and support they can carry into careers that help lift them out of hardship. At the same time, they serve up fresh produce and meaningful products for our community. We're lucky to have them harvesting compassion.
Morgan Hill Health and Wellness Resource Fair
Morgan Hill's Health and Wellness Resource Fair was a tremendous hit, with youth, seniors, and everyone in between coming together to explore the services available to help us lead healthier lives. I appreciated the focus on mental health and was inspired by the strong turnout. I'm grateful for the tremendous leadership in South County that continues to uplift and spotlight such vital resources.
Constituent Services
As your elected representative, I'm here to serve you in a variety of ways. One of the most important is helping you navigate issues with state agencies.
Whether it's the DMV, Franchise Tax Board, EDD, Disability Insurance, or another state department-we're here to help. Contact my office through my website or by calling:
📍 San Jose District Office: (408) 264-2848
📍 Santa Cruz District Office: (831) 425-1503
You can also visit our offices-just call ahead to make an appointment so staff are ready to assist.
Please don't hesitate to reach out. My team is ready to support you however we can.
Gail Pellerin
Assemblymember, District 28
