November Newsletter: Legislative Update and Resources for Working Families
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I'm writing to share both important updates from this year's legislative session and critical resources for those facing challenges in our community.
This year brought significant progress for Senate District 26 and California. Governor Newsom signed 11 bills I authored into law, and we worked to preserve essential funding in the state budget during a difficult fiscal year.
From supporting immigrant communities to strengthening workers' rights, from protecting our universities to addressing homelessness - these efforts reflect our shared commitment to supporting working families and building stronger communities together.
11 Bills Signed Into Law
These bills fight for dignity, fairness, and opportunity:
Protecting Immigrants & Entrepreneurs
SB 580 & SB 635: Standing against President Trump's deportation agenda by ensuring state and local agencies have proper guidance and protecting street vendors’ sensitive data from federal immigration officials.
Workers' Rights
SB 513 & SB 809: Ensuring workers can access their training records and construction truckers receive fair pay and employee protections.
Paid Leave for Extended and Chosen Family
SB 590: Recognizing that family is who shows up for you. Starting in 2028, caregivers can take paid leave to care for extended and chosen family.
Empowering Local Governments
SB 707 & SB 346: Modernizing public meetings so working families can participate, and giving cities tools to crack down on illegal short-term rentals and collect millions in unpaid taxes.
Affordable Housing
SB 21 & SB 838: Protecting affordable housing and preventing inappropriate hotel conversions to preserve affordable homes.
Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
SB 598: Helping water districts build infrastructure faster to respond to climate change.
Public Health
SB 754: Requiring tampon and pad manufacturers to report toxic chemicals, protecting 9+ million Californians who menstruate.
Major Budget Victories
This summer, I fought to secure critical funding for our communities:
- Rejected cuts to CSU and UC - Protected our public universities from devastating 7.95% reductions. Cal State LA remains #1 in California for economic mobility!
- $750 million for Film Tax Credits - Supporting high-wage entertainment jobs that build strong communities
- $500 million for homelessness - Helping Californians secure housing
- $160 million for Immigration Legal Services - Defending families from the federal government’s mass deportation raids
- $100 million for Prop 36 implementation - Including $15 million for public defenders to ensure fair treatment
- $31.5 million for Foster Family Agencies - Preventing closures that would affect 7,400 foster youth
- $8 million for Garment Workers - Continuing the Wage Claim Pilot Program for predominantly immigrant women workers seeking justice for stolen wages
- $7.5 million for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles – To provide food assistance and legal aid services
- $7.4 million for Diaper Banks - Supporting low-income families with essential supplies
- $3 million to advance research on ALS, MS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s
- $500,000 for Hispanas Organized for Political Equality – Supporting Latina leadership development programs
- Fully protected Transit funding - Maintaining SB 125 commitments as Metro faces financial challenges
- For Los Angeles: Secured up to $1 billion in emergency loans for wildfire recovery, $10 million for World Cup 2026 security, and $17.6 million for Olympics transportation.
What This Means for You
Whether you're a student at Cal State LA, a nurse working night shifts who wants to attend city council meetings, a garment worker fighting for fair wages, a family caring for a loved one, or an immigrant entrepreneur building your dream, these legislative and budget victories are for YOU.
This work wouldn't be possible without the countless advocates, union members, community organizations, and residents who fought alongside us. From SEIU California to CHIRLA, from the League of California Cities to the Garment Worker Center - thank you for standing with us.
Together, we're building a California that works for working families - not just the wealthy and powerful.
The Federal Shutdown and California Taking Action
The federal shutdown has created real hardship for families across our district, particularly for federal workers and CalFresh (SNAP) recipients who may have delays with November benefits.
California did not stand by. We took immediate action.
Emergency Response:
- $80 million deployed to food banks across California for emergency food distribution
- National Guard activated to assist with food delivery to communities in need
- Legal action filed against the US Department of Agriculture to force release of emergency contingency funds and prevent the clawback of benefits
If You Need Food Assistance Right Now:
Visit LAFoodBank.org and www.211la.org (or call 211) to find immediate help near you. Local agencies including the LA County Parks and Recreation and City of LA Department of Aging also operate meal programs for qualifying residents.
We're monitoring developments closely and will continue fighting to protect our most vulnerable residents.
Know Your Rights
As your State Senator, I stand with you and am committed to ensuring you have immediate access to vital legal information, trusted resources, and unwavering support to protect your families and uphold your rights.
Click here to download the bilingual Know Your Rights Card (English/Spanish)
These cards are also available in:
If you have concerns if you see ICE in your neighborhood or if someone you know is detained, you can call the Los Angeles Rapid Response Hotline: 1-888-624-4752. This is a multilingual, confidential hotline.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This article and these documents are for general informational purposes only. The California State Senate is not responsible for the content of this non-Senate document and its presence does not constitute legal advice by the Senate. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney.
Conclusion
These are challenging times for many in our community, from food insecurity to ongoing uncertainty. In the face of these difficulties, we remain committed to supporting our neighbors with every resource available.
The legislation signed and budget protections secured this year represent California’s commitment to standing with working families during difficult times. These policy changes reflect our ongoing dedication to protecting the most vulnerable and creating pathways to stability and opportunity.
We're here for you, and we're in this together.
Sincerely,
State Senator María Elena Durazo
