Dear Friends,
In case you missed it, I held a virtual legislative town hall with my Capitol and District team to update the community on the status of our 2023 legislative bills that made it to the Governor’s desk and were signed into state law.
During our town hall, I was delighted to be joined by amazing community partners from the City of Alameda, Root and Rebound, and Greenlining Institute to discuss my transformative legislation. You can view a recording of our Assembly District 18 Legislative Town Hall by clicking here.
Facing a historic California budget deficit, all 24 of my bills faced financial challenges and good policy was unfortunately held due to cost. However, I remain committed to legislation that uplifts residents and solves our 21st-century issues to address housing, climate change, criminal justice reform, racial equity, healthcare workers, and supporting our students and teachers.
I thank the Alameda City Council, the Emeryville City Council, and the Oakland City Council leaders for their collaborative work in addressing the needs of the neighborhoods and communities we collectively represent. I provided each city council with a robust update on my legislative package throughout the year, which you can view below:
- Alameda City Council Presentation
- Emeryville City Council Presentation
- Oakland City Council Presentation
As I develop my 2024 Legislative Package, my staff and I are working diligently with community stakeholders to ensure community input remains part of the democratic process – an important value I hold dearly. Further, as part of a historic and new diverse Assembly leadership team, I am the newly appointed Chair of the Health Committee. In my new role, I remain committed to protecting healthcare workers, quality patient care, and promoting patient rights, and I thank Speaker Robert Rivas for this incredible honor to serve.
Please do not hesitate to engage with my District and Capitol Offices to share your questions, concerns, and most importantly your ideas with us by going to my website and registering your position. In today’s E-Newsletter, you’ll find information on Covered California, California State Parks grants, and community engagement opportunities in Assembly District 18.
Yours in Service,
Mia Bonta
Assemblymember, 18th District
In this newsletter, you'll find the following information:
- Assemblymember Mia Bonta Legislative and Budget Updates
- State of California Updates and Resources
- Assembly District 18 Resources and Engagements
Assemblymember Mia Bonta & staff are committed to keeping AD-18 residents fully engaged and informed. Please send this newsletter to a friend and subscribe!
Stay connected with our office at (510) 286-1670, Email Me, or follow us on social media:
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Section 1: Assemblymember Bonta Legislative and Budget Updates
Section 1A: Assemblymember Bonta’s Legislative Package and Budget Wins
This year, my team and I worked on an aggressive legislative agenda with 24 legislative bills that touched on reproductive rights, housing production, public education, childcare, and security for public officials. Seven of my bills were sent to the Governor’s desk, and 5 were signed into law.
- As a lifelong promoter for education, I authored AB 1273 to convene a workgroup to propose guidelines and help determine how many classified employees are reasonably required to meet the needs of students and staff at school sites. Classified employees are important to school environments, helping keep schools safe and ensuring that student nutrition, transportation, para-education services, and maintenance needs are met.
Learn more here.
- AB 1104, my Pathway to Community-Based Transformation Act, states that incarceration satisfies the punishment aspect of sentencing, and emphasizes the importance of incarcerated individuals being afforded rehabilitative opportunities designed to assist in successful reintegration into society after release.
Learn more here.
- I was proud to work alongside the City of Alameda on AB 1706 impacting the Encinal Terminal. This bill authorizes an agreement between the State Lands Commission and the City of Alameda, allowing the City to move forward with the development of this 32-acre site. This agreement will not only facilitate the production of 587 housing units, but also the production of affordable housing units, improvement of waterfront parks, the replacement of dilapidated wharf structures, and the extension of the Bay Trail.
Learn more here.
- In collaboration with Root and Rebound, I was honored to lead AB 1148, “The Stable Parents, Stable Children Act,” which brings a crucial reform to the child support system by extending the time for formerly incarcerated parents to resume child support payments from one month or less after exiting incarceration to 10 months. AB 1148 offers formerly incarcerated parents the opportunity to obtain financial security to support their families.
Learn more here.
- I am committed to continuing the legacy of the late Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan with AB 1644, “Food as Medicine.” AB 1644 would make medically supportive food and nutrition interventions a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program and will require medically supportive food and nutrition interventions to be covered when determined to be medically necessary by a healthcare provider. Adequate food and nutrition are a fundamental part of preventing and treating chronic conditions, and can significantly improve an individual's quality of life and health status while also reducing healthcare costs.
Learn more here.
Lastly, another transformative result for Assembly District 18 was delivering over $10 million dollars to our communities. I secured funding to help with capitol corridor improvements in Alameda and Emeryville, support the Alameda Point Safe Parking program that provides a safe space to support our unhoused community even further. I delivered increased opportunities for arts education for Oakland students, by funding the Oakland Symphony; and helped move forward funding for the Huey P. Newton Center for Research and Action Education. And lastly, I secured a $5 million dollar investment for MACRO, the City of Oakland’s alternative to the policing model. As I move into 2024, I remain steadfast in continuing to deliver good policy and funding for Assembly District 18.
Section 2: State of California Updates and Resources
Section 2A: Covered California is now OPEN
Now is the time to sign up for health coverage! Between November 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024, you have a critical opportunity to secure quality health insurance through Covered California. During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal funding ensured continuous Medi-Cal coverage. However, this requirement ended on April 1, 2023. An estimated 2 to 3 million Californians will need to enroll in alternate sources of coverage.
Visit Covered California for detailed information on coverage plans, and estimated costs and to start your enrollment.
Covered California has launched the Medi-Cal to Covered California Enrollment Program for those no longer eligible for Medi-Cal. This program provides a seamless transition to a qualified health plan offered by Covered California, maximizing financial help.
Your health and access to quality care are of the utmost importance.
Section 2B: California State Parks Announces Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant
The California State Parks announces the release of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Grant (“ORLP”). The program funds the acquisition and development of new parks, or substantial renovation of parks in disadvantaged communities. Projects must be within incorporated cities or towns of at least 30,000 people.
Eligible applicants include public agencies like cities, counties, federally recognized Native American tribes, joint powers authorities where all members are public agencies, park districts, and special districts with authority to acquire, operate, and maintain public park and recreation areas. Applications are due January 31, 2024.
Learn more about the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Grant here.
Section 3: Assembly District 18 Updates and Resources
Section 3A: City of Oakland Five after Five at Franklin Garage
The City of Oakland, is offering secure parking at the Franklin Plaza Parking Garage for a flat rate of $5 on weekdays after 5 p.m. and all day on weekends.
Located at 419 19th Street, Oakland CA 94612, the “Five after Five” will help holiday shoppers and residents enjoy Downtown Oakland.
Learn more about the City of Oakland Five after Five here.
Section 3B: Healing Gun Violence in Latinx Communities: A Culturally Relevant Approach
In partnership with Youth Alive! and the Kapor Center, join this community conversation and engagement for ways and methods to provide culturally relevant support systems for our Latinx/e families.
When: Tuesday, December 12
Where: 2148 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Section 3C: Senior Affordable Housing in the City of Emeryville Now Accepting Applications
The City of Emeryville and the County of Alameda are accepting applications for Avalon Senior Housing in partnership with East Bay Asian Local Development Corp. Avalon Senior Apartments in Emeryville is accepting applications to join their affordable housing waitlist, for low-income 55 years or older adults.
Applications will be accepted until December 15, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Section 3D: The Emeryville Historical Society Historic Walking Tour
The Emeryville Historical Society is pleased to announce the launch of the first-of-its-kind self-guided historic walking tour around the city’s historic Park Avenue District. Custom signs for the 30 stops along the tour contain a vintage photo and QR code that brings up a story and audio clip.
The tour is the culmination of hundreds of hours of research, writing, and photo curation. The 1.7-mile, flat walk around the city’s Park Avenue District along the southern border of the city will take you around the historic core of the city, including 30 points of interest. The tour should take less than two hours by foot.
Learn more and begin your walking tour here.