Newsletters

The reporting and scenes from the Palisades, Hurst, and Eaton wildfires is both heartbreaking and devastating. With over seven thousand firefighters working in tandem in response, our thoughts remain with the communities affected by this crisis. Many of us in Assembly District 18 remain vigilant of our friends, family, and loved ones in Southern California and stand ready to welcome and support them.

I’m excited to announce that my Spring 2025 Student Internship Program is now accepting applications! Interested students should apply by January 5, 2025! My office is looking for highly engaged high school, community college, undergraduates, or graduate students who want to spend a minimum of 10 hours a week learning about California policy-making and empowering our residents and community through constituent services.

Following recent heavy rainfall, tsunami warnings, and natural disasters like the Keller fire, our community and our families need to stay up to date by creating an emergency preparedness plan and signing up for advanced warning systems to stay ahead of potential hazards. In this newsletter, you can find resources to help take advantage of available emergency supplies and resources, and where to find tips on how to stay safe and dry this winter.

This November we proudly recognize Native American Heritage Month—a vital time to honor the rich cultures, histories, and lasting contributions of California's Native American tribes and peoples.

This November 1st marked the annual start of California’s Open Enrollment period for the Covered California Health Exchange – a free service that connects Californians with brand-name health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. During open enrollment, individuals and families who need health insurance can sign up for coverage, and those already enrolled can change their existing plans to better suit their needs. Open Enrollment begins November 1, 2024, and ends January 31, 2025.

As we head into the final weeks of the year, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the past few weeks and the accomplishments we have made.

Emergencies like the Keller Fire, which impacted our district earlier this month, can make us feel uneasy and question how we can be better prepared in the future. Thanks to the immediate response and coordinated efforts of Oakland’s Fire Department alongside our state partners at CalFIRE, California Office of Emergency Services, and neighboring city and county fire departments, this fire was quickly controlled. I am grateful for the quick response and swift coordination and for the unwavering service of each firefighter.

As an additional DMV announcement, the State of California is now making it easier for senior drivers to renew their licenses with the hope of reducing time spent at the DMV. Eligible drivers include those over 70 years old with licenses that expire in 2024 or later; the written knowledge test will no longer be required for renewal.

This October, communities across the country are joining together to raise awareness of our fight against breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that breast cancer accounts for 1 in 3 cancer cases each year, and about 310,720 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. However, as millions of survivors have demonstrated, when our community comes together to advocate for awareness through early detection and treatment programs, breast cancer can be beaten.