Dear Friends and Neighbors,

There’s a lot happening right now in Sacramento and across the Central Coast. We are in a critical part of the legislative session – making progress on key issues while also working through a challenging budget year. The decisions ahead will shape how we support communities, sustain essential programs across the state, and protect the environment. I’m approaching that work with care, discipline, and a long-term perspective.

All 16 of my bills have moved through policy committee review and are into the next stages of the legislative process, addressing issues from health care access to water, coastal, and workforce priorities. 

This month, Senate Democrats also released our “Foundation for the Future” budget plan, which I helped lead as Chair of the Senate Budget Committee. It lays out a measured path forward – balancing the budget in the next two years, reforming the reserve process, and maintaining key investments while navigating a difficult fiscal environment and working toward a final budget.

Here at home, I’ve continued to stay connected to the needs of our communities and the challenges people are facing every day. That includes helping ensure families are aware of available resources and supporting local efforts that strengthen our neighborhoods. Below are a few updates and opportunities to stay engaged.

I want to take a moment to recognize Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alumnus Victor Glover, who recently served as the pilot on NASA’s historic Artemis II mission, which took astronauts farther from Earth than any humans have traveled before. In speaking about the mission, he’s reflected on the perspective it brings – how small and connected our world really is. It’s a point of pride for Cal Poly, for San Luis Obispo County, and for our entire region – and this newsletter closes with a photo of him in front of the Cal Poly sign.

Warm Regards,

JOHN LAIRD
Senator, 17th District

It’s been a productive stretch at the Capitol, with all 16 of my bills advancing through policy committees. That includes SB 931, which will ensure continued support for Central Coast communities impacted by Diablo Canyon, as well as SB 1055 to help accelerate critical flood protection work along the Pajaro River, and SB 1081 to provide small communities – like San Juan Bautista – with greater flexibility to invest in needed water infrastructure improvements.

I’m also pleased that SJR 12 and SCR 136 have passed the Senate floor and are now heading to the Assembly. SJR 12 expresses bipartisan opposition to federal efforts to open California to new offshore oil leasing and calls for protecting our coast and ocean economy. SCR 136 marks the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act, recognizing its lasting role in safeguarding public access, coastal resources, and responsible development along our shoreline.

I’m encouraged by continued progress on efforts to improve access to preventive health care, such as expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), as well as measures focused on coastal permitting, nonprofit access to funding, and strengthening retirement and workforce programs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move them ahead. 

Every so often, I am surprised when a piece of legislation strikes a chord on an issue – where I might not have known the full impact at the time I introduced it. That is happening this year, as my legislation to make sure nonprofits are notified of legacy funding has led to another legislator in committee speaking of her family member’s experience, and an executive for a leading Central Coast nonprofit thanking me in a crowd. It is always rewarding to know that your work has an impact.

All of this work is taking place alongside the broader task of shaping this year’s state budget. Senate Democrats recently released our “Foundation for the Future” budget plan. It takes a steady, balanced approach to a challenging fiscal environment – building reserves, balancing the budget over two years, protecting core programs, and proposing reforms to our state’s rainy day fund reserve.

While revenues are stronger in the short term, we still face significant structural challenges ahead. This plan is focused on preparing for that reality: strengthening the rainy day fund, maintaining key investments in housing, child care, education, and health care, and taking a balanced approach to long-term solutions, including spending restraint and ensuring large corporations contribute fairly to the cost of public programs. It reflects a simple principle – plan ahead, keep our commitments, and make thoughtful choices now to avoid more difficult ones later.

This work is ultimately about supporting the people and organizations that strengthen our communities including the YMCA, which I was honored to recognize at the Capitol this month. For many, it’s more than a place – it’s a second home. That’s certainly true for me and my family, where it helped open doors and shape my path. I’m grateful to the staff and volunteers who carry that work forward every day.

I was proud to recognize the YMCA’s 175th anniversary at the Capitol. For generations, the YMCA has supported families, strengthened communities, and stepped up in times of need across California. The YMCA was there for me and my family – a place that helped my father in his youth, and I was actually a Youth and Government State Senator in high school, meeting on the very floor where decades later I serve as a State Senator.
 

I spoke alongside Assemblymember Mia Bonta at the California Budget & Policy Center’s Annual Conference, focusing on protecting essential services and taking a balanced approach to the state’s fiscal challenges. With the hundreds of advocates present, I offered suggestions on how to be effective as we adopt a state spending plan.

I met with Monterey One Water leaders to discuss the utility provider’s priorities for the year and the work ahead to support reliable, sustainable water systems in our region.

I want to share recent changes to the CalFresh program that took effect on April 1 and may affect eligibility or monthly benefits for some households. These updates include changes to who qualifies, adjustments to benefit calculations, and new work requirements for some adults beginning June 1. Importantly, these changes apply only to CalFresh and do not affect Medi-Cal or WIC benefits.

If you receive CalFresh or are considering applying, I encourage you to review your status and reach out for assistance if needed. You can manage your benefits at BenefitsCal.com, call your county office at 877-847-3663, or visit a local social services office. For those who need immediate support, local food banks and community organizations remain an important resource. Here on the Central Coast, providers are already reporting increased demand and concerns about maintaining supply. 

The Senate budget prioritizes funding for CalFood to help local food banks respond to that need. In our budget deliberations, we are proposing extra support for county departments that provide Californians with food and medical assistance. We have also proposed a large, continued investment in food banks – a back-up as federal program changes threaten food assistance to some Californians.

As we think about supporting one another locally, I also want to highlight a way to get involved. On May 9, volunteers across Santa Cruz County will come together for the third annual Pitch In Cleanup Day to care for our beaches, neighborhoods, and open spaces. It’s a simple way to make a real difference and a good way to carry the spirit of Earth Month into action. Sign up here.

Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize the loss of a respected leader in our region. I was saddened to learn of the passing of Sergio Sánchez, someone I had the privilege of knowing and working with for many years. Sergio was a respected leader in Salinas and across the Central Coast, and a tireless advocate for working families. I was honored to co-sign a memorial resolution recognizing his life and contributions. My thoughts are with his wife, Lupe, his family, and all who knew and cared about him.

I was glad to keynote the State of the San Lorenzo River symposium in Santa Cruz, where local and regional partners came together to focus on the health of this important watershed. The San Lorenzo River is central to our region – from drinking water supply to flood management and ecosystem health – and I appreciate the collaboration of the many local agencies and organizations working every day to steward it.

I enjoyed meeting with students in the Migrant Education Program at North Monterey County High School and hearing firsthand about their goals, challenges, and the support helping them succeed.

It was great to visit Taylor Farms’ newly rebuilt facility in Salinas. Founded in 1995, this Central Coast company has grown into a major supplier of fresh produce nationwide – and employs 22,000 in delivering fresh vegetables and salads to markets across the country.

My District Director, Kara Woodruff, joined leaders of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary for the unveiling of a new life-sized humpback whale educational model. Designated in 2024, the sanctuary protects over 4,500 square miles of marine habitat along the Central Coast.

From deep space, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alumnus Victor Glover offered a simple but powerful message: we share this one place together – and each of us matters.