Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we move toward summer, school graduations have started to happen across the Central Coast – and the first large burst of tourists are being seen across the region.

This coincides with one of the busiest stretches of the legislative year in Sacramento. The Senate moved hundreds of bills to the Assembly before the May House of Origin deadline – 16 of my bills have now passed the Senate and are before the Assembly. The Senate budget subcommittees have just approved a balanced budget that will now go into negotiations with the Assembly and Governor before the new fiscal year begins on July 1.

A great deal of the work this month centered on issues directly affecting the Central Coast, including emergency funding to help stabilize Watsonville Community Hospital, maintaining funding for communities surrounding the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, and improving flood protection in the Pajaro Valley.

Despite the long days in Sacramento, I was back in the district every chance I could get, meeting with educators, health care workers, labor leaders, local officials, nonprofit organizations, and community members. From celebrating the long-awaited reopening of Highway 1 through Big Sur to discussions around health care, behavioral health services, water reliability, and local economic challenges, these conversations help keep my work in Sacramento grounded in the needs of the communities we serve.

And speaking of nonprofits, I was especially pleased to recognize the Salinas Regional Sports Authority as the 2026 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 17 for expanding opportunities for youth and families throughout the Salinas Valley. I’ve included more on the organization below in the District Update.

As always, thank you for staying engaged and involved in our communities and democratic process. California’s primary election is coming up this this Tuesday, June 2, and I encourage everyone to take part and vote.

Warm Regards,

JOHN LAIRD
Senator, 17th District

I’m pleased to report that 16 of my bills passed the Senate and are now before the Assembly, including measures extending authorization for community mitigation funding tied to Diablo Canyon Power Plant operations, streamlining permitting and coordination for Pajaro Valley flood protection projects, expanding access to HIV prevention medication, and improving protections for nonprofit beneficiary gifts.

This month, we got a look at the Governor’s May Revision proposal. Overall, the Governor’s proposal was largely consistent with the Senate’s framework – balancing the budget for two years, cutting the structural deficit in half, and maintaining strong reserves. This will protect the state’s long-term fiscal stability during a period of continued uncertainty. However, there are still important differences to work through on homelessness, child care, health care, and higher education support, and fully funding K-12 education. Budget negotiations continue as we work toward a final budget.

Governor Newsom signed AB 108 this month, an emergency measure I helped shepherd as Budget Committee Chair that provides immediate financial relief to hospitals facing severe financial distress, including Watsonville Community Hospital. Watsonville Hospital was recently awarded a $10.6 million grant through the Distressed Hospital Small Grant Program created by AB 108. For the Pajaro Valley, keeping local emergency and health care services available remains critically important, and the work to ensure the hospital’s long-term stability continues.

As Chair of the Select Committee on Older LGBTQ+ Californians, I convened a hearing focused on the challenges many LGBTQ+ seniors still face accessing health care, housing, and long-term care services. We heard directly from advocates, providers, and community members about the importance of ensuring older LGBTQ+ Californians can age safely, with dignity, and with the care they deserve. California has made real progress on these issues, but too many older LGBTQ+ Californians still struggle to access the services and support they need.
 

I convened the first hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Older LGBTQ+ Californians.

The Senate also passed my resolution recognizing May as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in California and the importance of early diagnosis, access to care, continued research, and support for individuals and families affected by the disease. Advocates – including some from the Central Coast – were present as the Senate passed the resolution.
 

I was glad to join Senator Dave Cortese’s “Sacramento Bus Trip for Education” and spend time with educators, students, and community leaders discussing the state budget and education funding priorities. Senator Cortese has organized this trip for over 20 years, long before he came to the legislature, and I have met with the advocates many of those years.
 

I was honored that California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian and her staff recognized me as the Legislative Champion of the Year. Expanding educational opportunity and supporting students across California has always been important to me, and I always remember my service on the Cabrillo College Board of Trustees in navigating Sacramento’s actions for the largest community college system in the United States. I appreciate the partnership.
 

And thanks to the California Arts Council for something I wasn’t expecting to receive this year – my very own bobblehead.
 

I was pleased to recognize the Salinas Regional Sports Authority (SRSA) as the 2026 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 17. SRSA has created opportunities for thousands of young people and families in the Salinas Valley through youth sports, recreation, wellness programs, and community events. Organizations like this play an important role in communities throughout the Central Coast. It was great to show off their work at the Capitol.

Congratulations to the Salinas Regional Sports Authority on being named the 2026 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 17.

I joined local leaders and community members in Ragged Point to celebrate the reopening of Highway 1 through Big Sur following a three year closure – which was painful for Big Sur businesses and residents. Highway 1 is critical to the Central Coast economy and to the communities, local businesses, and tourism industry that depend on it every day. After such a long closure, it was great to see this iconic stretch of coastline open once again.
 

Reopening Highway 1 took a tremendous amount of work from many people. It was great to come together at Ragged Point to celebrate this important moment for San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties, and the entire Central Coast.

I also spent time throughout Santa Cruz County this month meeting with local leaders, educators, and community organizations. That included speaking with the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz, attending the opening of the “Out of the Closets, Into the Streets” LGBTQ+ history exhibit at the London Nelson Center, and joining the Queer Youth Leadership Awards celebrating young people helping build a more inclusive community. Preserving and sharing this history matters, and it is encouraging to see younger generations continuing that work.
 

Speaking at the opening of “Out of the Closets, Into the Streets” exhibit documenting more than 50 years of LGBTQ+ history in Santa Cruz County.

I enjoyed attending the Queer Youth Leadership Awards at Pajaro Valley High School celebrating young people, allies, and organizations helping build a more inclusive community. I was interviewed on the red carpet at the event.

In Monterey County, I met with educators, health care workers, labor leaders, and community organizations to discuss issues affecting communities across the region. That included visits to Creekside Elementary School in Salinas to discuss youth behavioral health services. I also had conversations with Mujeres en Acción about supporting immigrant families and local economic opportunity, and joined the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council awards dinner celebrating labor leadership across the Central Coast.

I visited the wellness center at Creekside Elementary School in Salinas and discussed youth behavioral health services with educators and local leaders. These kinds of school-based services can make a real difference for students and families.
 

It was great to join the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council awards dinner celebrating labor leadership across the Central Coast.