Dear Neighbor,

We have just emerged from a busy time of important decisions at every level this election season, and in the spirit of the upcoming holiday, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who helped get out the vote and who cast their ballot to make their voice heard! This Thanksgiving, I also want to share my appreciation for our Veterans and military families who sacrifice so much for our nation and our freedom.

At the Capitol, we continue our research for new bill ideas to be a part of our 2023 legislative packet. If there is an issue or topic that is important to you, remember to share your bill ideas here.

In the District, I had fun celebrating Día de Los Muertos in Long Beach, sharing my story with female students at Lakewood High School, and visiting our Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) partners in Huntington Park. My team also joined fall events in Maywood and Vernon and attended a COVID-19 vaccine event in Huntington Park, Signal Hill’s State of the City, Wrigley Neighborhood Association’s Mixer, and Long Beach’s LGBTQ+ Cultural District Visioning event.  

Next month, get ready for an Open House and Toy Drive event at our Huntington Park District Office! Recently, the City of Long Beach began a survey inviting people to provide input on sidewalk vending local regulations to comply with SB 972. Long Beach is also seeking volunteers to help conduct the 2023 Point in Time Count, its street count of people experiencing homelessness. And with recent CDC reports showing a rise in Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, please take some time to take a look at information on steps you can take to help prevent the spread of RSV.

Lastly, I invite you to take our survey to let us know your thoughts on California’s transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).  

Happy Thanksgiving!

• Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on everything that we're grateful for, and it brings us together to spend time with family and friends. As we get ready for delicious food, family gatherings, and travel I want to take a moment to reflect and share my appreciation for all who stepped up to encourage others to get out and vote during this General Election and those who cast their ballot to make their voice heard. I am also deeply grateful for all the Veterans and military families in our District who make great sacrifices for our nation and our freedom.
   

News from the Capitol

• Do you have an idea for a bill? Share your bill idea and help us build our 2023 legislative bill package! You can now do this through our new Legislative Request Form available on my website. Check it out today!

In the District

• The City of Long Beach annually holds a Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, Celebration in coordination with the First District City council office honoring loved ones who have passed away. I had so much fun looking at colorful cultural attires, enjoying great food, arts and crafts, and world-class music honoring the traditions and cultures of the indigenous communities of Mexico and Latin America. Special thanks to Councilwoman Mary Zendejas for organizing this great event for our community!
• I visited Lakewood High school to share with female students about my educational story, my journey to Sacramento, and my legislative work. It was such an honor to spend time with such bright young women, and talk about issues that matter to them! I look forward to seeing these young women leaders embark on their own educational journeys and careers and how their accomplishments will help shape a better future for our communities.
• I visited our Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) partners in Huntington Park to learn about the great services they provide, including nutrition information, help to access healthcare and other valuable community services, and everyday healthy living information for mothers and their children.
• My team also participated in Maywood’s Trunk-or-Treat, Vernon’s Fall Harvest Celebration, WIC’s COVID-19 vaccine event in Huntington Park, Signal Hill’s State of the City, Wrigley Neighborhood Association’s Mixer and Long Beach’s LGBTQ+ Cultural District Visioning event and much more! It is great to see so many events, resources, and services being provided to our community.  

Open House & Toy Drive

• You are invited to attend our Open House & Toy Drive event to discuss state legislative updates, learn about state resources, and connect with me, your neighbors, and our Huntington Park District Office staff. Save the date on your calendar, December 1 at 6:00 p.m., and RSVP today by emailing Vanessa.Bautista@sen.ca.gov or calling (323) 277-4560. 

Long Beach Sidewalk Vending Survey

• The City of Long Beach has begun a survey inviting people to provide input on sidewalk vending local regulations to comply with SB 972. The Sidewalk Vending Survey will ask questions about your thoughts on sidewalk vending along with the frequency, location, and type of vending seen in Long Beach. To understand who is taking the survey, demographic questions are also included. The survey is anonymous however unless you choose to share your contact information. You can take the sidewalk vending survey here.

Call for Volunteers: Long Beach 2023 Homeless Point-In-Time Count

• The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is seeking 250 community volunteers to help conduct the 2023 Point in Time (PIT) Count, its street count of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, taking place on Jan. 26, 2023. The PIT Count is a communitywide effort that provides an opportunity for residents and local businesses to actively contribute and learn about homelessness in Long Beach. The count is vital in determining the scope of homelessness, defining existing resources available, and identifying gaps to better serve these individuals. You can register to volunteer here.

Protect Your Child from RSV

• Recently, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance has shown an increase in RSV detections and RSV-associated emergency department visits and hospitalizations in multiple U.S. regions. Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States. Know the symptoms to look for and how to care for people with RSV by visiting the CDC website here.
   

New Survey: California’s Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles

Recently, the California Air Resources Board held a public hearing on the proposed Advanced Clean Fleets regulation to help speed up our transition to 100 percent zero-emission freight in order to reduce air pollution and protect the health of our communities. Take our survey today to let me know your thoughts on California’s transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and how you feel about a fossil fuel-free future.

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 Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District