June is Pride Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people and raising awareness of LGBTQ+ history and the issues that affect this community. It is about feeling proud of who you are, and I am very excited to celebrate Pride Month and re-commit to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and equality for all.    

At the Capitol, bills in my legislative package are now moving through the Assembly, to be heard in policy committees before they make their way to the Assembly floor for a vote. As a proud co-author, I am pleased to announce the introduction of Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 10 to enshrine the constitutional right to abortion and contraceptives. And coming up next week is an important deadline, the State Budget bill must be passed by midnight on June 15.

In the District, we participated in MemorialCare Long Beach’s Wear Orange event to speak up against gun violence, recognized the excellent leadership of Padres Unidos in South Gate, hosted a legislative brunch in Signal Hill and Juneteenth is just around the corner.

I am proud to recognize our 2022 nonprofit of the year Chicxs Rockerxs Southeast Los Angeles for their incredible work and acts of service in our community.

New resources are available to help you understand how to protect yourself from monkeypox and reduce its spread, more formula options are available for WIC Families while supplies of infant formula remain limited, and the Lawn-to-Garden program is available to Long Beach residents with incentives to help make your home landscape more sustainable and water-efficient.

Lastly, please remember to take some time to complete our new poll on this edition’s topic: water scarcity.  

Celebrating Pride Month

• Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. During this month, memorials are held for those who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. It is also a time to celebrate the work of LGBTQ+ people and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ history and the issues that affect this community. I am very excited to celebrate Pride Month and re-commit to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and equality for all.   
• In honor of Pride Month, I will be recognizing LGBTQ+ community leaders, allies or advocates including individuals, organizations or groups of volunteers making a difference in advancing equity and inclusion through significant and direct volunteer service. If you know someone doing great work in Senate District 33, I want to know about them! Please submit your nominations here by June 15, 2022.
   

News from the Capitol

• Since the beginning of the month, bills in my 2022 legislative package have been moving through the Assembly, to be heard in policy committees before they make their way to the Assembly floor for a vote. Once a bill passes in the Assembly, it is sent back to the Senate floor for a concurrence vote, and if the bill is approved, then is it sent to the Governor’s desk for a signature—exciting!
• On June 8, Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 10 was introduced by the California Legislature to enshrine the constitutional right to abortion and contraceptives. As a proud co-author of this legislation, I am pleased that we are acting on this critical issue, and I am committed to continuing the fight to protect sexual and reproductive health care for all.
• An important deadline is coming up on June 15, 2022—the State Budget bill must be passed on that day by midnight. Currently, the differences between the Assembly and Senate versions of the budget bill are being worked out in a conference committee, traditionally made up of three members from each house. Upon completion of its review, the conference committee submits a single version of the budget bill to both houses. The Senate and Assembly each vote on this final version before it is sent to the Governor. The houses also vote on trailer bills if statutory changes are necessary to implement provisions of the budget bill. Then, between June 15 to July 1 the bill becomes law as soon as it is signed by the Governor.

In the District

• Recently, we participated in MemorialCare Long Beach’s Wear Orange event to speak up against gun violence. In 2020 alone, there were over 45,000 firearm-related deaths in our nation. That's about 124 people dying from a firearm-related injury every day—that is unacceptable, we should not have to live in fear. I am committed to continue advocating to end gun violence in our communities.
• On June 2, my office recognized the excellent leadership and dedication of Padres Unidos in the South Gate community. This group of incredible volunteers has dedicated over 20 years to improving educational opportunities for local students.
• On June 4, I hosted a legislative brunch in Signal Hill. I talked about my 2022 legislative package and discussed local issues. It is always great to connect in person with local residents, thank you to everyone who came out to join us for brunch, and I hope to see you at our next one!

Celebrating Juneteenth

• Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865, two years and a half after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, to ensure that all enslaved people be freed. Today, Juneteenth is a time for reflection and celebration, to uplift the contributions of Black Americans to our community, and to recommit ourselves to the fight for equity, freedom, and justice. I look forward to celebrating this important observance with my Senate District 33 community and to further discussions on how we can continue to advance our work around these core, fundamental values. 

2022 Nonprofit of the Year

• I am proud to recognize Chicxs Rockerxs Southeast Los Angeles (CRSELA) as our 2022 nonprofit of the year for their incredible work and acts of service. Founded in 2013 by community organizers and musicians, CRSELA amplifies the voices of transgender and gender-expansive youth, girls, and artists from communities of color through music, mentorship, and social justice. CRSELA hosts annual summer camps, field trips, online music lessons and a career development series. Thank you CRSELA for enhancing the quality of life of local residents and instilling a strong sense of pride in our community. It is an immense pleasure to congratulate you as the 33^rd Senatorial District’s 2022 Nonprofit of the Year!

Monkeypox Q&A & Resources

• Since May 14, 2022, clusters of monkeypox cases, have been reported in several countries that don’t normally have monkeypox. The California Department of Public Health has issued health advisories and shared information to help Californians understand how to protect themselves from monkeypox and reduce its spread. Visit the Q&A and other resources below for answers to questions like "how is monkeypox transmitted" and "what are symptoms of monkeypox".
  • Read the Q&A
  • Get the fact sheet
  • CDPH May 27 Health Advisory
  • CDPH May 20 Health Advisory  
  • CDC U.S. Monkeypox 2022: Situation Summary
  • CDC Health Advisory

New Formula Options Available to California WIC Families

• To further support California families while supplies of infant formula remain limited, CDPH has temporarily expanded purchasing options for the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. Families with WIC benefits can now choose from 13 options following the addition of eight formulas.
• You can find the latest updates at MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov or the California WIC App. Contact your local WIC office with questions on how these options work for infants.
• More resources:
  • CDPH New Infant Formula webpage
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Find Formula During the Infant Formula Shortage

Save Water & Money: Long Beach Lawn-to-Garden Program

• The Lawn-to-Garden (L2G) program was created with the goal of making the landscapes of Long Beach sustainable and water efficient, while also providing multiple benefits for the environment such as capturing storm water, reducing runoff and developing habitat for birds and butterflies. All L2G projects are now eligible to receive an incentive of $3.00 per square foot of lawn removed in the front yard and/or $2.00 per square foot in the backyard, for a total of up to 5,000 square feet, meaning a person could qualify for an incentive of up to $15,000. Find out more and apply at: https://lblawntogarden.com/

New Poll: Water Scarcity

California is experiencing a severe drought and it is important that we act now to prevent a water crisis. In late May, Governor Gavin Newsom convened leaders from the state’s largest urban water suppliers and water associations imploring them to take more aggressive actions to combat the drought and better engage their customers to ensure all Californians are doing their part to save water. Do you have any thoughts on how we can save our water? Please share your ideas with me here.

As always, if you need any other information or assistance, please contact my office at (562) 256-7921 or send us a message here. Happy Pride Month!

Sincerely,

Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District