Dear Neighbor,

As Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I was honored to help advance policies this year that protect families, strengthen safety, and uphold justice for all Californians. I’m excited to share updates on immigration bills recently signed into law, climate victories, my participation at New York Climate Week, and new funding I helped secure to support one of our district’s beloved parks.

Governor Newsom Signs Immigration Bill Package

Governor Newsom signed a comprehensive immigration bill package championed by the California Latino and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Legislative Caucuses. With this legislation, we set important guardrails so that immigrant families can feel safe when they are at school, at the doctor, or in their own neighborhood. The package also includes new laws that establish clear identification and no masking requirements for law enforcement officers to protect public safety. These laws will help put an end to some of the most horrific and immoral immigration enforcement tactics used by the federal administration and address growing public fear and the rise in law enforcement impersonation claims in recent months. For more information on the bills included in this bill package, read the press release here and watch the livestream here. 

Senator Lena Gonzalez celebrates the signing of the immigration bill package alongside Governor Newsom and members of the California Latino and AAPI Legislative Caucuses.

The CA Safe Haven Schools Act

Assembly Bill 49, also known as The CA Safe Haven Schools Act was one of the bills in the immigration bill package signed by Governor Newsom. I was proud to joint-author this bill which ensures that immigration enforcement officers cannot enter a nonpublic area of a school site for any purpose without providing valid identification and a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena or court order. It also prohibits schools from sharing student or family information with immigration officials. Every child deserves a safe place to learn, and every California family deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. 

From left to right: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Senator Lena Gonzalez, President of SEIU California and SEIU-USWW David Huerta, and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi at AB 49 bill signing ceremony. 

Climate Week NYC

I was honored to open the California Climate Leadership Forum during Climate Week NYC, sharing California’s vision of climate action in the face of federal rollbacks to critical programs and environmental protections. California is charging ahead with our transition to clean energy sources, the landmark Cap and Invest program, and action to protect our frontline communities, all while prioritizing affordability and good-paying jobs. Our communities’ health and future depend on bold climate action now, not later, and I’m committed to driving that work forward. 

Senator Lena Gonzalez speaks at the Climate Leadership Forum during Climate Week NYC. 

Electricity Bill Refunds

Governor Newsom recently announced that more than 11.5 million California households will automatically see refunds on their October electric bill through the California Climate Credit. Californians do not need to do anything to get the refund. The California Climate Credit comes from the State’s Cap-and-Invest Program managed by the California Air Resources Board which has delivered $14.6 billion in bill refunds back to residential utility customers since 2014.

$2M in Funds for Hudson Park 

I was proud to help secure $2 million in state funding for the revitalization of Hudson Park in Long Beach and to present Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga and city staff with a check supporting this important project. Hudson Park is a vital green space for West Long Beach, and this investment will deliver lasting improvements to benefit families, young people, and residents throughout the community for years to come.

Upcoming Events, Resources & More

Upcoming events: Across our district, there are plenty of opportunities to come together and enjoy the fall season, from a cleanup in Signal Hill to the Annual Art Walk in South Gate.

CA vs Hate hotline: The CA vs Hate hotline is here to connect individuals impacted by hate with critical support, whether it is mental health services, legal assistance, help filing a civil rights complaint and more.

Visit our resource corner for more information. 

As always, if you need any other information or assistance, don't hesitate to get in touch with my office at (562) 256-7921 or send us a message here.

Sincerely, 

Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District