Wildfires

Climate change is affecting the severity and frequency of wildfires in California. They are burning hotter, spreading faster, and have become a year-round threat and reality. Too many lives have already been lost and entire communities and neighborhoods have turned to ash.

Funds have been allocated for home-hardening projects in vulnerable neighborhoods, the implementation of strategic fire breaks and vegetation removal to clean up our forests. In 2023 alone, we treated more than 700,000 acres of land for wildfire resilience. California now also touts the largest civilian aerial firefighting fleet with more than 60 aircraft.

To confront these devastating challenges, Senate Democrats continue to invest in building resilient communities through prevention and mitigation. We are also outfitting first responders with more equipment and technology to facilitate a swifter, safer response.

The ongoing wildfire threat goes hand-in-hand with the prevalence of hot and dry conditions spurred by years of drought. Climate change brings unpredictable weather patterns so we’re tackling both issues head-on.

Senate Democrats recently authored a historic bond measure representing the state’s single-largest investment in combating climate change, which includes addressing the impacts of wildfire, flood, drought and other climate-related events. This measure is just the latest investment in wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts.

Senate Democrats recently authored a historic bond measure representing the state’s single-largest investment in combating climate change.

Every corner of the state continues to be affected by wildfires. At every turn— prevention, response and recovery—Senate Democrats remain committed to addressing the multifaceted realities of wildfires in California.

 

Child Care

Working families are a critical part of California’s economy, and deserve the peace of mind knowing that their children are well-cared for while they work to provide for their loved ones. Year after year, Senate Democrats have recognized that need, and have secured thousands of subsidized child care slots for families across California.

Year after year, Senate Democrats have recognized that need, and have secured thousands of subsidized child care slots for families across California.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate Democrats doubled down on this commitment by offering stipends and other support so child care providers could remain open and safe. Also, we implemented permanent family fee reform, invested in repairs and renovations of childcare facilities, as well as at preschool, transitional kindergarten and full day kindergarten facilities.

With expanded eligibility to affordable child care, parents can trust that Senate Democrats have their backs as they strive to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.

 

Climate

California is home to a landscape of rich biodiversity and more than 1,000 miles of scenic coastline. They are vital parts of the Golden State’s economy and one of the reasons why so many of us love living here. Yet the devastating and often deadly impacts of climate change threaten livelihoods and communities, not just today but for generations to come. 

Senate Democrats recognize this evident danger in year-round wildfires, drought-stricken landscapes, flooding from torrential rains and rising sea levels. That’s why we continue to pass legislation that advances our transition to clean energy, protects critical industries and enhances public health.  

Among our ambitious nation-leading policies are the goals of reducing plastic waste through a 25% reduction in plastic packaging by 2032, and achieving 100% clean, renewable energy by 2045. 

We recently authored a historic bond measure representing the state’s single-largest investment in combating these climate-related events.

We recently authored a historic bond measure representing the state’s single-largest investment in combating these climate-related events. Senate Democrats have a track record of investing historic levels of funding into climate resilience. Tackling drought and the risk of wildfires have been among the top priorities for us, allocating billions to protecting vulnerable communities. 

Improving the health of our forests, hardening homes, building strategic fire breaks, and equipping first responders with more resources will make these neighborhoods safer. We also fought to protect precious groundwater supplies, improve water efficiency and expand access for those who can least afford it.

While building the state’s renewable energy infrastructure, Senate Democrats are creating jobs, uplifting diverse voices in this sector and streamlining these critical clean energy projects. 

To improve air quality, we’re reducing harmful emissions and establishing health protective zones limiting certain oil and gas projects. 

One major step is establishing and promoting multiple efforts to ensure all Californians have access to zero emissions vehicles. We are further expanding the vehicle charging infrastructure in the state to keep up with demand.

As part of this effort, Senate Democrats are passing legislation to give regulators and industries the tools they need to meet these ambitious goals. For example, the Sea Level Rise Mitigation and Adaptation Act of 2021 empowered local governments and the Coastal Commission to protect coastal communities, natural habits and resources from rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

But make no mistake, we’ll continue standing up for Californians when they are being taken advantage of. We passed the nation’s first Gas Price Gouging Law to hold oil companies accountable for excess profits and anti-competitive business practices.

Climate change is not theoretical. It is a reality now and for generations to come if we don’t act swiftly. Protecting our environment will continue to be at the forefront of our policy decisions.

 

Economy/Budget

Many Californians live paycheck to paycheck and take on multiple jobs just to make ends meet. With the increased cost of living, many families are being priced out of their homes or having to choose between eating dinner or keeping the lights on.

Programs that expand access to affordable healthcare, food and housing have become more crucial than ever. Senate Democrats have budgeted responsibly for more than a decade to make sure that funding remains available for these important safety net services. We put great emphasis on planning for the future, so we’ve consistently built up rainy day reserves and enacted reforms to avoid significant budget shortfalls in future years.

We’ve consistently built up rainy day reserves and enacted reforms to avoid significant budget shortfalls in future years.

As the market fluctuates, Senate Democrats protect the middle class by avoiding cuts to core programs or tax increases. We’ve put cash directly into the pockets of struggling families and small businesses with the Middle Class Tax Rebate program, and expanded the Earned Income Tax credit for working Californians.

Prudent budgeting has allowed us to make progress in laying the groundwork for California’s future. We’re tackling the issues that are worsened by a down economy by streamlining affordable housing projects, and increasing access to higher education and vocational training.

 

 

Education

Every child in California deserves access to a quality education so they can become a skilled and successful member of society. Senate Democrats consistently prioritize record levels of funding for the future leaders of our state and the educators who help shape their lives. We value critical programs encouraging STEM education, as well as the creative arts. In addition to making child care more affordable and accessible, we passed legislation to expand Transitional Kindergarten access to all of California's eligible youth.

We safeguarded this critical investment by setting aside more than $1 billion for future years–and we believe that these actions for our youth should be mirrored by investments in the school facilities where they learn. That’s why in 2024 Senate Democrats approved a measure to update K-12 and community college facilities to meet the safety and needs of millions of students, including the largest investment in career technical education facilities. The bond funds critical improvements such as new construction, school modernization, heating and energy efficiency grants, and other needs.

We safeguarded this critical investment by setting aside more than $1 billion for future years.

Financial barriers should not stand in the way of a student getting the higher education they desire to follow their dreams. To help more California families access higher education, Senate Democrats prioritize continued funding for the Middle Class Scholarship program and are expanding the goal of making college debt-free for all Californians.

We also understand that student success relies on a number of factors, so we’re taking a well-rounded approach to education. In addition to upgrading school facilities, students deserve access to transportation, housing and universal school meals so they can better focus on their education. This also means offering multilingual instruction in order to meet the needs of the Golden State’s diverse population.

Above all, students should feel safe and comfortable as they continue their education. Senate Democrats provided funding for addressing youth behavioral concerns, championed stronger requirements for handling on-campus sexual harassment complaints, and strengthened discrimination reporting for LGBTQ+ students.

 

Gun Violence Prevention

The Golden State has not been spared from the horrors of the gun violence epidemic.

Mass shootings have affected far too many Californians, whether by the senseless loss of a loved one or the subtle fear that violence may strike them at school or out in large public areas.

Senate Democrats are at the forefront of groundbreaking gun reform legislation to curb this epidemic and restore Californians’ sense of safety while out in their communities.

This effort involved strengthening concealed-carry gun laws in the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s Bruen decision. We also worked to make it easier for law enforcement to solve gun-related crimes by passing legislation requiring microstamping technology be used on guns sold in the state after 2027.

Senate Democrats are at the forefront of groundbreaking gun reform legislation to curb this epidemic and restore Californians’ sense of safety.

Senate Democrats know that gun violence doesn’t only exist in shopping malls or in the classroom. It occurs in our streets and in the expected safety of our homes. We will continue to fund law enforcement agencies to enforce gun laws, create gun buyback programs and increase awareness of Gun Violence Restraining Orders and Domestic Violence Restraining Orders.

These actions will make our communities safer and we are committed to uplifting these common sense reforms so that one day active-shooter drills on school campuses aren’t as much of a regular occurrence as they are now.

 

Health Care

All Californians deserve access to affordable and quality health care. The COVID-19 pandemic made it more apparent than ever that people of all socioeconomic backgrounds must be able to receive health care if and when they need it. That’s why Senate Democrats expanded Medi-Cal eligibility to all Californians, regardless of immigration status. These actions made California the first state in the nation to provide universal health care access and coverage.

These actions made California the first state in the nation to provide universal health care access and coverage.

We further removed financial barriers to health care by leveraging vital funds to lower copays and deductibles, increasing access for more middle class Californians. Senate Democrats build on this foundation year over year by maintaining funding for critical public health programs, and passing legislation to help control the cost of prescription medications.

It’s important to Senate Democrats that we recognize mental health as a core pillar of California’s healthcare system. Millions have been invested to expand the number of treatment beds in the state, and to put mental health services where they are most needed in order to readily serve this population. This includes passing structural reform to the Mental Health Services Act, as well as allowing those who cannot help themselves be placed under conservatorship to receive care. The intersection of mental health and substance use must also be recognized, and Senate Democrats continue to prioritize funding for treatment and outreach programs.

We know that uplifting our health care workforce is a crucial component in providing and sustaining quality, affordable treatment. That’s why we passed legislation to increase health care worker minimum wage. Additionally, we maintained funding for health provider pipeline programs, expanded more nurse training programs and boosted reimbursement to increase the availability of providers.

 

Housing & Homelessness

Californians work hard to keep a roof over their heads, oftentimes spending much of their paychecks on rent or a mortgage. As the cost of living and California’s population continues to increase, our housing market needs and demand are higher than our supply. Senate Democrats have expanded existing housing laws to remove red tape and get homes built faster. We’re passing legislation protecting tenants’ rights and helping first-time home buyers who may have previously been unable to dream of a home to call their own.

The California Dream for All Act, passed in 2022, allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to help first-time home buyers lower their down payment and thereby reducing their monthly mortgage payments. This legislation helps middle class homebuyers grow generational wealth and participate in the housing economy.

This legislation helps middle class homebuyers grow generational wealth and participate in the housing economy.

We know that a lack of affordable housing causes many to take on lengthy commutes, increasing costs to their family’s bottom line and even time away from their loved ones. Senate Democrats have passed measures that aim to streamline housing production in commercial zones and make homeownership more attainable for working families. The Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act will accelerate housing production, especially in transit-friendly corridors, closer to where people work and commute.

Billions of dollars are invested year after year in the Multifamily Housing Program, the Housing Accelerator Program, farmworker housing, ADU financing, veteran housing and homelessness prevention. We are looking at the housing shortage from all angles and developing innovative solutions both within our existing infrastructure, and with new infrastructure investments.

 

Justice For All

Making Californians safer is at the forefront of our policymaking–and so is equity. Senate Democrats will not turn a blind eye to the harmful inequities that have plagued the criminal justice system. Communities of color have been the casualties of an unequal system that sometimes treats people differently based on where they live or the color of their skin. We are acknowledging this wrong, and passing legislation to eradicate the racial disparities that exist at every level of society, including the criminal justice system.

We are acknowledging this wrong, and passing legislation to eradicate the racial disparities that exist at every level of society, including the criminal justice system.

Senate Democrats are committed to tackling the root causes that often lead to criminal behavior. This means expanding access to mental health and substance use treatment, and strengthening educational and vocational programs in at-risk communities. We are also taking a direct approach to ensuring justice for all by funding programs to reduce gun violence, improving the youth justice system, and bolstering rehabilitation and reentry programs.

Senate Democrats continue to advocate for implicit bias training in all workspaces, but most notably in law enforcement agencies. Reducing racial disparities in our legal system means confronting the biases we may or may not be aware of. Additionally, we are working to increase the trust between law enforcement and communities of color. To do this, we established one of the nation’s strongest systems to decertify law enforcement officers who have committed serious misconduct–thereby increasing accountability for all.

Race has certainly not been the only detrimental factor when it comes to the justice system. For many low-income Californians, there are financial barriers to justice and incarceration often leads to economic hardships. To ease this burden and ensure our system runs efficiently, we created the “Access to Justice Package” that sought to reduce fines and fees on low-income Californians and expand legal aid resources. The legislation also worked to address case backlogs in our courts, increase funding for foster youth advocacy, and provide legal aid for renters and homeowners facing eviction or foreclosure.

 

LGBTQ+ Communities

Senate Democrats stand up for all Californians, no matter who they love or how they identify. It’s written into the fabric of the Golden State. We advocated for full equality by protecting marriage in the California Constitution and launched the nationwide BRIDGE Project marketing campaign to encourage inclusivity and compassion.

We pushed for full equality by protecting marriage in the California Constitution and launched the nationwide BRIDGE Project.

We continue to work to make schools a safe space for our youth to express themselves by passing legislation to protect their privacy and autonomy. To bolster these actions, Senate Democrats championed stronger requirements for discrimination reporting for LGBTQ+ students. Moreover, we directed the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish an advisory task force to identify the needs of LGBTQ+ students and make recommendations to assist in implementing supportive policies and initiatives to address LGBTQ+ student education and well-being.

Taking care of our LGBTQ+ youth at home remains a priority for us, particularly for those who are most vulnerable. That’s why Senate Democrats passed a measure requiring the evaluation of a resource family seeking to foster or adopt a child to include an assessment of their ability to provide care and supervision for LGBTQ+ and gender-expansive youth.

 

Public Safety

Senate Democrats will not lose sight of our commitment to making Californians feel safer in their homes and communities. We continue to advance a multi-prong strategy of strengthening law enforcement, providing services to vulnerable communities, and empowering crime survivors.

Finding solutions to the opioid epidemic has long been a focus of our legislative efforts, including passing measures to reduce fentanyl production, smuggling and sales. We also focus on reducing the public health crisis of opioid addiction and its link to criminal behavior. Senate Democrats made it easier to connect overdose patients with substance use disorder resources and sped up the expansion of addiction treatment facilities.

We partner with law enforcement, community stakeholders and survivors to understand changing crime trends and the social issues that can lead to offenses like domestic violence and retail theft. Driven by this collaboration, Senate Democrats passed comprehensive bipartisan legislation cracking down on retail thieves by closing loopholes in the law and increasing penalties.

Senate Democrats passed comprehensive bipartisan legislation cracking down on retail thieves by closing loopholes in the law and increasing penalties.

It is equally important to provide survivors of crime the security and support to come forward. Millions of dollars are dedicated to programs that offer them vital resources to live safely and prosperously.

 

Reproductive Freedom

When the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade was overturned, it set women’s reproductive rights back decades. But in the Golden State, there was no turning back the clock. Like always, Senate Democrats pushed forward.

We answered back by leading the effort to enshrine the right to abortion in the California Constitution. Reproductive health services, including abortion and contraception, are fundamental aspects of healthcare. By raising rates for Medi-Cal providers providing these services, we can reach communities that may need it the most.

We answered back by leading the effort to enshrine the right to abortion in the California Constitution.

In addition to the millions of dollars provided to ensure reproductive services are accessible to all, Senate Democrats created new protections for providers and provided financial assistance and legal protections for out-of-state individuals who come to California to receive care.

As the attacks on women’s rights continue in Washington D.C. and in states across the country, Senate Democrats pledge to continue making California the safe haven it always has been for those in need.

 

Small Businesses

A thriving economy needs local entrepreneurs with big dreams and a path to success. Small businesses are the backbones of communities, offering not only jobs but opportunities for neighbors to gather and receive goods and services they need. Senate Democrats offer tax incentives to small businesses that provide new employment opportunities to Californians–companies that stay in the Golden State and those who decide to move here.

Senate Democrats offer tax incentives to small businesses that provide new employment opportunities to Californians–companies.

Through continued funding for programs that expand access to training and consulting, combined with leveraged grant funding from the federal government, Senate Democrats are supporting the lifeline of the state’s economy.

 

Supporting California Families

As inflation continues to drive increased costs across the country, we are dedicated to ensuring that no one goes hungry or loses access to health services simply because they can’t afford it. This commitment extends to immigrant communities, seniors and Californians with disabilities.

That’s why we consistently fund and protect programs like CalWORKs and CalFRESH to provide cash assistance and food for those who need it most. We proudly helped champion a first-in-the-nation universal free meals program, allowing any student who needs breakfast or lunch to get it without cost year-round.

We proudly helped champion a first-in-the-nation universal free meals program, allowing any student who needs breakfast or lunch to get it.

But Senate Democrats went further than that when many Californians were struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. We put cash directly into the hands of families, small businesses and non-profit organizations with the Middle Class Tax Refund program. Through whatever obstacles middle class families may face, Senate Democrats are there to provide relief—whether for your family or future generations.

We’re being proactive about the future. Through our continued investment in the Middle Class Scholarship Program we’re reducing a student’s total cost of attendance so they can focus on pursuing a career that will provide them financial security and a sense of independence.

We’ve expanded access to mental health services for older Californians and youth with complex needs to help fully care for these populations. Additionally, we’ve increased whenever possible the Social Security Income benefit for people with disabilities.

Children in foster homes and facilities deserve the utmost care and we prioritize this by constantly evaluating the system’s safety and effectiveness. One major milestone of this evaluation was the implementation of the permanent foster care rate structure. We passed a plan that refocuses funding to reflect a child’s level of need and to support a child’s strengths rather than paying for care based on a child’s placement type and location.

 

Transportation

We work hard to make sure California’s extensive transportations system helps millions of people get safely to their destinations every day. Senate Democrats take a comprehensive approach to transportation policy, focusing not only on road safety for drivers, but pedestrians and bicyclists too.

Senate Democrats take a comprehensive approach to transportation policy, focusing not only on road safety for drivers, but pedestrians and bicyclists too.

These modes of active transportation, and clean energy initiatives, are at the forefront of our historic infrastructure investments. Senate Democrats are passing legislation to connect disadvantaged communities, reduce air pollution and promote public health.

We’re leading the way with our ambitious project to eliminate gas-powered vehicles by investing more than $1 billion for zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, clean vehicle replacement, and heavy duty vehicles through 2035.

These investments will produce cleaner, safer and more efficient travel as California moves closer to greener transit.