Asm. Schiavo's May in Review
We spent the month of May working on issues critical to our community, including getting important legislation passed that will deliver meaningful change for our district and all Californians. A big thank you to the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce for endorsing so many bills in our 2023 bill package. From homelessness to housing solutions and preparing for an electrified future, we have a lot of important work to accomplish - together.
It’s officially graduation season – a big CONGRATULATIONS to all the graduating students in AD40! We also want to congratulate our Young Community Leader Awardees. We created this award to recognize students who display leadership skills, have a passion for community or volunteerism, display resilience, and have exhibited compassion and kindness for fellow students and/or the community. This is an award to honor students who have overcome challenges or demonstrated having tremendous heart and empathy for their community. Our future is so bright because of you and all the amazing things you do.
We are also on the verge of fire season, so we hope you will join us this Saturday, June 10 at our Emergency Preparedness Fair and Workshops from 1 - 3:30 p.m. We will provide resources, tips, and more from organizations like the Red Cross, LA County Fire, and MySafe LA. Click here for details and to RSVP.
At the beginning of this month, Governor Newsom released his revised budget to the state legislature. As we expected, the revenue forecast is for an even larger shortfall, by $9.3 billion, than initially projected in January. I’m pleased to see the Governor has maintained a commitment to more than $15 billion in funding for solutions to homelessness, including increased funding for health care and mental health services. While ideally we wouldn’t be facing a budget shortfall this year, overall we have a healthy state budget. Because of the large infusion of funds during COVID, the budget has grown significantly - so even comparing our 2023 budget to the budget pre-COVID, we are still growing and solidly the fourth largest economy in the world. I was also pleased to see the Governor’s expressed commitment to addressing the opioid and fentanyl crisis, which I’m fighting to end in Sacramento.
As we approach our summer recess, my daughter Sofia and I are grateful to Spectrum for their story chronicling our journey serving the community in office. We are looking forward to spending more time in our community and with our friends and neighbors. We hope to see you out and about at events throughout the district!
Onward!
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo
Our Community Hike
A huge thank you to Sky Valley Volunteers for guiding our first (of many) community hikes! We talked all about the history of the Santa Susana Mountains and had an opportunity to spend time with one another. Missed this hike? Join us for our June 17 Placerita hike, see the details below on the calendar at the bottom of our newsletter.
Santa Clarita Valley Man & Woman of the Year
I had the distinct honor of presenting our Santa Clarita Valley Man & Woman of the Year with a certificate from my office. So much of our work in Sacramento is aided by nonprofit organizations who do such good work for our community. I was grateful to be able to express my gratitude at this year’s celebration.
Pastries in the Park with Pilar
Thank you to everyone who showed up for our pastries in the park! I loved hearing the issues that are important to our AD40 neighbors. We enjoyed some food and discussed important legislation that will help our community grow and thrive.
Health & Wellness Fair
Our Health & Wellness Fair was a HUGE SUCCESS! From mental health and caring for our seniors, to blood pressure screenings and assistance with Medi-Cal & Calfresh, our community benefited from the many resources our local organizations shared. Thank you to everyone who came out and to those who brought important resources!
Homes for Veterans
We spent a wonderful morning with our community at the WE Build event hosted by Homes 4 Families. It was such an honor to work alongside fellow electeds and volunteers to build homes for veterans and their families.
Ice Cream Social
We had such a fun time at the Northridge West Neighborhood Council Salute to Community Ice Cream Social – complete with some wonderful music from the Granada Hills Charter High School band!
Memorial Day
Thank you to our constituent, Rick Barker, for inviting us to the Annual Memorial Day Celebration at the Eternal Valley Memorial Park. I was proud to be a part of this moving ceremony to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Supporting Striking Writers
Team Pilar was out in support of the striking workers of the Writers Guild of America. As the technology of the TV and film industry changes, it is critical that the workers creating such brilliant content are not left behind.
Celebrating our Schools & Educators
We left a little treat for teachers at Napa Street Elementary, one of our model Dual Language Immersion LAUSD schools, who are doing an amazing job. We also had a great tour of SCVi Charter School and attended their theater performance of my favorite play, Into the Woods!
NARAL and Planned Parenthood
As we work to protect and even expand access to abortion care here in California, it was great to meet with the people on the frontlines of this fight.
LA/OC Building Trades
Always wonderful to meet with the Building Trades and talk about how we fight for good jobs, like the one that supported our family when my dad joined IBEW Local 6.
Child Care Resource Center
As a single mom of a kid who ended up going to zoom school in the corner of my office this semester, I have a deep personal understanding of the importance of reliable, quality childcare. I look forward to working with the Child Care Resource Center to make that a reality for all families.
CA Firefighters & Firefighters Local 1014
It was wonderful to see my friends at CA Firefighters & LA County Firefighters Local 1014. Our valley communities are surrounded by mountains that present fire danger every year. Proud to be working with LA County Firefighters to ensure we keep our community safe.
Southland Realtors
It was wonderful to talk with my Southland Realtors about making sure the dream of home ownership becomes a reality in California.
CA Nurses Association and SEIU 121RN
After working with the California Nurses Association for 13 years, nurses will always have a special place in my heart. They were on the frontlines during COVID and continue to be such integral parts of keeping our communities safe and healthy.
Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPACC)
I really enjoyed meeting with JPACC during their Capitol Summit in early May, the largest single-state coalition of Jewish voices in the country. We talked about crucial legislation to ensure our Jewish communities are secure & can thrive across CA.
This past week was House of Origin Week, which is the time when all legislation either makes it out of the Assembly or doesn’t move forward this year. Once legislation makes it out of the Assembly, those bills then move to the Senate for consideration by their policy and Appropriations Committees. If approved by the various Senate Committees, bills then move to the full Senate Floor for an up or down vote and then to the Governor's desk for his signature.
We’re so proud all 11 of our bills passed the Assembly and are on to the Senate! Here are some of the bills we’re really excited about:
- AB 464: ID & Vital Records Access - Removes point of sale cost barriers for low income individuals who need identification and vital records to apply for housing and employment.
- AB 1133 Standardized Training for Concealed Carry Gun Licenses - Increases standards and creates a unified curriculum for concealed carry permits that is approved by the California Department of Justice.
- AB 1359: Sick Day Security for RNs & Healthcare Workers - Makes sure health care workers can take their hard-earned sick leave when needed.
- AB 1423: Banning Dangerous Chemicals in Astroturf - Bans the use of toxic PFAS chemicals in the manufacturing of artificial grass to protect our children, athletes, and community water sources.
- AB 1631 Santa Clarita Valley Water Protection - Provides an opportunity for members of the public to highlight new concerns for projects that impact local water supply, habitat for species, environment, and quality of life if the projects’ water appropriation applications has been pending with the State Water Resources Control Board for over 30 years.
- Here is the full list of our 11 bills that passed the Assembly Floor and are on their way to the Senate!
Meet up with me and Team Pilar at a location near you! Please come out and join us at these upcoming events:
June 10 - Emergency Preparedness Fair & Workshop: 1 - 3 p.m.
Child & Family Center - 21545 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita
June 11 - Chatsworth Day of the Horse: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship (10860 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA 91311)
June 11 - Los Angeles Pride: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Brea & Sunset - NE Corner - 7079 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
June 17 - Celebrate Community and Culture Hike with Pilar: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Placerita Nature Center - 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA 91321
June 24 - San Fernando Valley Pride March & Block Party: 12 - 3 p.m.
Intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Sherman Way
June 30 - SCV PFLAG Pride at the Park: 5 - 7 p.m.
Castaic Regional Sports Complex - 31230 N. Castaic Rd., Castaic, CA 91384