Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you’re having a spooktacular Halloween! This festive season is the perfect time to connect with loved ones, whether you’re carving pumpkins, whipping up hearty autumn recipes, or joining in some wicked celebrations. There’s something special about this time of year that brings joy, whimsy, and togetherness to us all, and I hope you are able to celebrate and participate with your community.
This month, we also honor numerous trail blazers for LGBTQ+ History Month—individuals who fought for equality, broke barriers, and shaped the path forward for future generations. As one of the first openly gay mayors in the U.S., this is a deeply personal cause for me and I am proud to stand alongside California’s many LGBTQ+ leaders. While we’ve made great strides, there remains much to do to ensure equality and dignity for all within our community to live their authentic and true selves.
As election day draws near, I encourage you to remember the importance of making your voice heard. Democracy thrives when we express our needs to the government and participate in shaping the future through our vote. By engaging in the electoral process, we have the power to create meaningful change. For more information on the Nov 5th election click here.
Warm Regards,
JOHN LAIRD
Senator, 17th District
While legislators typically return to their districts after the legislative session, I had the honor of serving on the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, created during the Second Extraordinary Session. Through this work, we achieved a significant win for Californians: Governor Gavin Newsom signed ABX2-1, a measure designed to stabilize fuel prices and hold oil companies accountable. This new law allows the state to require oil refiners to maintain a minimum fuel inventory, reducing the risk of supply shortages that lead to higher gas prices and inflated profits. It also authorizes the California Energy Commission to require refiners to plan for resupply during maintenance outages to prevent disruptions. As a lifelong environmentalist and early advocate for restrictions on offshore oil exploration and climate change mitigation, I am deeply committed to balancing environmental progress while also keeping in mind the concerns many Californians have about continued gas price spikes. I recognize the reality many Californians face—especially in my district, where residents rely heavily on cars due to the lack of densely populated areas. Volatile gas prices affect us all, making it essential to prevent Big Oil from exploiting consumers at the pump.
I also want to thank Governor Newsom and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) for appointing me to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to continue my work on sustainable fisheries management and Marine Protected Areas. California’s fisheries continue to be critical to our nation’s economy and environment. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to advance and develop sustainable policies that protect these resources for future generations. For more information about the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, click here.
The Central Coast is a gem of natural beauty, with its breathtaking coastline, and vibrant communities that make it one of California’s most treasured regions. While we are known for cooler climates and the refreshing ocean breeze, recent heat waves have started to make the weather feel more like Orange or San Diego County, with unusually warm temperatures lingering along the coast. As we transition into fall, I know many of us are eager for the return of crisp air and cooler days that define this special time of year. While the Central Coast may be warming, its charm and natural beauty remain constant, reminding us of how lucky we are to call this place home. Please take a look below at just a few of the places I have had the opportunity to visit across the 17th Senate District, and you will see some of the people that make this place so special.
It was a privilege to host Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego), Vice Chair of the California LGBTQ Caucus, in Salinas to celebrate the 14th Annual Salinas Valley Pride alongside local and state dignitaries. I am pictured here with Assemblymember Ward and Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto, the first openly LGBTQ+ Latina sheriff in California.
Congratulations to the Soquel Creek Water District for finishing construction on their new advanced water purification system! Nearly a decade in the making, the Pure Water Soquel project is vital to securing clean, safe water for future generations in the 17th District. I look forward to the positive impact it will bring to our community as operations begin early next year
Honored to celebrate Julie Packard at the Butterfly Ball in San Luis Obispo, where she received the John Laird Lifetime Achievement Award from the Central Coast State Parks Association. Julie’s leadership in ocean conservation with the Monterey Bay Aquarium is truly inspiring and in a league of its own. A fantastic night with local officials recognizing an environmental icon!
Del Mar Elementary in Santa Cruz offers incredible programs, including a thriving school garden and an exciting future farm site. I couldn’t resist the chance to sample some of their delicious food!
Christopher Ranch continues to be the leader in US garlic production, as the only family owned and operated commercial garlic farm in the country. It was inspiring to hear from Ken Christopher about the legacy his father created right here in Gilroy.
It was a beautiful day in Santa Cruz County as I addressed the crowd during the grand reopening of the iconic Capitola Wharf! The wharf suffered significant damage during the winter storms, even drawing a visit from President Joe Biden to witness the impact firsthand. I’m proud to have advocated for $500,000 to help reopen this community landmark.
Robust discussions at the California Assessors’ Association’s Annual Conference, this year in Pismo Beach. It was my honor to moderate a panel on alternative/renewable energy and how California will continue to be an industry leader as we move forward towards a clean and green future.