Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we step into 2026, I’m excited about the year ahead and deeply honored to have been named Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee – one of the Legislature’s most important responsibilities. I take this role very seriously.

California faces tremendous opportunities, along with real challenges. As budget chair, my goal is to ensure every dollar of taxpayer money is spent wisely while protecting the programs and services Californians rely on – from schools and healthcare to environmental protection and public safety.

Having chaired a statewide budget committee before, I know that careful planning, transparency, and collaboration are essential. I will listen to my colleagues, consult with experts, and review the numbers in detail to make thoughtful, responsible decisions that protect and strengthen California’s future.

Governor Newsom recently released his proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The near-term outlook is stronger than expected, but uncertainty remains, and the future years show substantial projected deficits. Our process will be thorough and transparent, with public hearings and careful review to ensure we balance today’s needs with long-term fiscal stability, including maintaining healthy reserves. These decisions won’t be easy, but they are essential to provide stability and uphold California’s values.

Thank you for your trust. I will work every day to ensure our state budget reflects the priorities and values of the people of California.

Warm Regards,

JOHN LAIRD
Senator, 17th District

With session resuming, the Capitol has been abuzz with activity. We swore in our new Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, the first Latina to lead the Senate. I’m proud to serve alongside her – she’s collaborative, outcome-oriented, and deeply committed to California.

I want to thank Sen. Limón for entrusting me to chair the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.  I will carry a heavy committee load as well, as Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Vice Chair of the Joint Rules Committee and Chair of the Select Committee on Older LGBTQ+ Californians. I will continue serving on six other policy committees.

Older LGBTQ+ Californians helped build this state and fight for the rights we now enjoy, yet many are aging in isolation, with fewer family support systems and greater economic and health challenges. As chair, I will make sure their voices are heard in the Capitol, their experiences shape policy, and California leads with dignity, equity, and compassion.

I’m also pleased to share that SB 575, my bill to restore the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund, passed the State Senate unanimously and now heads to the Assembly. This fund allows Californians to support sea otter conservation by simply checking a box on their state tax return. First created in 2006, the fund has generated more than $5 million to support research, rescue and rehabilitation, public education, and protection of our near-shore ecosystems. I’m grateful to the conservation organizations, researchers, community members, and my colleagues who have championed this effort. Protecting our coast is part of who we are as Californians, and SB 575 makes that commitment real.

This month, I also introduced Senate Joint Resolution 12, a bipartisan call opposing the federal government’s proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plan. Forty-six colleagues from both parties signed on, demonstrating that protecting our shoreline is not a partisan issue, it’s a California issue. The resolution asks the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to remove California from its leasing plan, conduct a meaningful environmental review, and hold public hearings so that Californians – from Humboldt to San Diego – have their voices heard. I’m grateful to all constituents who continue to engage on this issue. Your participation makes a difference.

I joined my legislative colleagues – including Senate President Monique Limón and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas – to commemorate the first anniversary of the Los Angeles fires.  The names of those who perished were read at this solemn remembrance in Capitol Park.

At the State Capitol, I stood with colleagues and environmental advocates to oppose federal offshore oil drilling. For more than 40 years, Californians have stood together to protect our coast. When I ran for Santa Cruz City Council, we passed a measure giving local communities a real voice against offshore oil – a “Blue Wall” that now stretches along nearly the entire California coast.

I had the pleasure of meeting Oceana ambassador and actress Cobie Smulders (from “How I Met Your Mother” and other well-known TV shows) at the State Capitol, where we joined advocates opposing the federal offshore oil drilling proposal. Cobie shared her personal experiences with coastal wildfire and ocean conservation, highlighting why protecting California’s coast is so critical.

 

With the Senate back in session, my time in the district is more limited, but every moment there is even more valuable.

I’m thrilled to share the long-awaited news that Highway 1 through Big Sur has reopened after nearly three years of closures caused by major landslides – the longest sustained closure in the region’s history. From the start, I worked closely with local leaders in both Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, Caltrans, Governor Newsom’s administration, business owners, and residents to secure resources and coordinate repairs. I’m grateful to everyone involved for their patience and determination.

I also attended the “People’s Hearing” in Monterey, hosted by Save Our Shores, where nearly 300 residents and local officials voiced opposition to the federal government’s proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plan. Because the federal government isn’t holding public hearings on this draft plan, these community-led events are critical. Attendees shared concerns about threats to the coastal economy, marine life, and the environment, and took action by submitting comments, signing petitions, and sending postcards to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

In Carmel Valley, my office has heard from a number of residents about traffic delays on Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade, where a new roundabout is being built to improve long-term safety and traffic flow. With only one lane in each direction, the flow of traffic has been difficult to navigate when large equipment is used, but fortunately it’s expected to be completed on time (by early spring), bringing much-needed relief to commuters and neighbors.

Meanwhile, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is introducing numbered street addresses for the first time in its 100-plus-year history. While the city’s charm is legendary, this practical update will improve emergency response times, help ensure reliable deliveries, and support residents and businesses as the city adapts to modern needs.

Finally, it is with deep sadness that I share the passing of Robley Levy, former three-term Santa Cruz County Supervisor and a longtime friend. Robley devoted her life to public service and to making Santa Cruz County a better place, and her leadership, warmth, and commitment will be remembered by all who knew her.

I was pleased to give opening remarks at a Creative Economy Town Hall in Watsonville, hearing directly from local artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses. Their insights will help shape California’s first Creative Economy Strategic Plan, a blueprint to grow our $288 billion creative sector, support creative workers, and strengthen arts, culture, and innovation across the state.

I was honored to join the community at the 2026 MLK March for the Dream in Santa Cruz – a powerful reminder that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message, and the ongoing fight for equality, justice, and civil rights, remain as vital as ever. Thank you to the NAACP Santa Cruz County for organizing this meaningful event and for fostering hope and unity in our community.

I had a chance to meet with Salinas City Manager Rene Mendez and Library & Community Services Director Kristan Lundquist and tour the newly rebuilt Hebbron Family Center, a hub that will provide programs and support for families and youth in the Alisal neighborhood.

I was pleased to join the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce in recognizing Geri LaChance as the 2025 Citizen of the Year at the Chamber’s 120th Annual Dinner. Geri’s many years of leadership at SESLOC Credit Union helped expand financial services for thousands of local families and businesses across the Central Coast. Team Laird was proud to be there honoring her longstanding commitment and service to our community.

I was proud to be there with our community at the People’s Hearing in Monterey, where residents and local leaders came together to oppose new offshore oil and gas drilling along California’s coast. Our coast, our economy, and our marine life are worth protecting – and our voices matter.