As the Senator representing the 33^rd Senate District, I am proud to share with you our latest e-newsletter that highlights the legislative updates and community engagement in early 2020. I invite you to stay engaged with our newsletters, as they offer an effective way to keep you informed about the work we do in Sacramento and upcoming issues affecting all our cities: Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, South Gate, and Vernon.

Last week, I was thrilled to introduce my first bill, the Equal Insurance HIV Act (SB 961). The bill, co-sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Equality California, will help end discrimination against HIV-positive Californians who are denied life and disability income insurance coverage based solely on their HIV status.

Senator Gonzalez formally submitting her first bill, the Equal Insurance HIV Act (SB 961)

Senate District 33 faces high rates of HIV, and the bill aims to help the 135,000 residents statewide who live with HIV but are unable to receive insurance coverage. Thanks to advances in modern medicine, a person who is HIV positive and undergoing treatment can live a long, healthy life. The Equal Insurance HIV Act will require insurance companies to consider HIV as they would any other treatable chronic condition.

Senator Gonzalez with (left to right) Dr. Tasnim Khan, Chief Medical Officer of One Community Health; Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur; and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara at the press conference for the Equal Insurance HIV Act

I was also elected to serve on the board of directors for the Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. As part of a larger package of health-related legislation to support LGBTQ+ community members, I co-authored SB 932 with my colleague Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) to provide easier access to rapid STI testing, which will increase the number of people getting tests and prevent the transmission of STIs statewide.

Additionally, we revived the Senate Select Committee on Ports & Goods Movement. Trade and transportation are crucial to Senate District 33, which includes numerous Gateway Cities along the I-710 corridor and the Port of Long Beach, the second-busiest port in the country. As Chair of the Select Committee, I will ensure that the Senate works closely with our communities to address environmental sustainability, infrastructure needs, and the future of work in this vital industry.

Stay tuned as we finalize my entire legislative package for this year. We will keep you updated and continue to engage with stakeholders and constituents about the top priorities for our district.

This year, my district team and I have participated in a number of community events and have provided legislative updates throughout Senate District 33. We have also toured incredible facilities in the district like our local healthcare centers, small businesses, and innovative aerospace companies.

My team has been working with local, state, and federal leadership to ensure residents affected by the unfortunate Delta Airlines fuel release incident get access to the healthcare services they need. The Federal Aviation Administration will deliver their investigation in the coming weeks, and we will provide information to stakeholders as soon as it becomes available. Please share your experiences with us, so that my office can help facilitate services or provide answers to your questions.

Senator Gonzalez addressing constituents impacted by the Delta jet fuel release at a community town hall in Cudahy

This month, I had the pleasure of serving as keynote speaker at several women empowerment events, including a conversation with students at USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy about what it means to be a female leader. I also joined Speaker Anthony Rendon for the inaugural Young Women’s Conference, where I spoke with aspiring young female professionals, and I participated in a women’s forum with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality in Long Beach. I was thrilled to hear from the future generation of community leaders, policymakers, and visionaries!

Senator Gonzalez visiting Memorial Care Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach

Senator Gonzalez with Senator Connie Leyva and future female policymakers with the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.

The 2020 Census is just around the corner, and we have been actively engaged in community outreach and planning efforts with our local partners. The Census determines the number of Congressional members we have, and it directs federal funding to our communities for vital social services, infrastructure, and public safety. We will continue to participate in regional Census efforts, to ensure we get a complete count in Senate District 33 and the state. For more information about the Census, check out the California Census website.

Senator Gonzalez office will be participating in the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement District First Friday’s each quarter starting March 6, 2020. Please stop by and enjoy entertainment from local DJs and learn more about how our office can assist you.

To stay up to date on the latest news and information regarding our community outreach and legislation, please visit my website and social media accounts. Thank you!