Dear Friend,
I wanted to start off by inviting you to my upcoming virtual office hours!
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
6 - 7 p.m.
via Zoom
Zoom Login information is provided upon RSVP
I hope to connect with you one-on-one regarding issues important to you, provide assistance with state or local issues, and give you an update on my priorities for our community. Your feedback will help me better serve our community in Sacramento.
To reserve your appointment, please register by clicking the RSVP button or contact my District Office at (408) 262-2501.
Budget Update
With the signing of AB 179, I'm proud to announce having secured an additional $13.8 million in state funding for local projects in Newark and San Jose, bringing the total to $31.6 million this year for all five cities. This important funding will go to supporting building Piedmont Middle School's new gym, broadband access, developing a quiet zone, homeless prevention, rebuilding a teen center, building an all-inclusive playground, supporting biking infrastructure, and developing a landmark bicycle and pedestrian gateway.
Learn more about the projects
Bills Update
As we approach the deadline for bills to be either signed or vetoed, six of our bills have been signed into law so far!
- AB 1290 - Protecting Companion Animals
Ensures that stealing any companion animal is theft, as current law only specifies dogs.
- AB 1680 - Keeping Bart Safe
Fixes AB 1337 being chaptered out and makes changes to allow BART police to implement transit security measures to keep our BART stations safe.
- AB 1867 - Sustainable Fixtures
To combat drought, schools applying for bond funds from the State Allocation Board for modernization or new construction will include sustainable bathroom fixtures including water aerators, hand dryers, water-conserving toilets, etc.
- AB 1981 - Travel Reimbursements for Jury Duty
Allows jurors to be reimbursed for taking public transit and creates a pilot program to increase juror compensation to promote juror diversity.
- AB 2031 - Protecting Mobile Home Residents
Protects mobile home residents' rights by ensuring residents can bring a representative (such as an attorney) to a meeting with park management.
- AB 2463 - California Conservation Corps
Preserves conservation corps and promotes volunteerism across California.
- AB 2721 - BAAQMD Transportation Reimbursement Program - Makes changes so that Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board members can be reimbursed for active transportation.
For a full list of bills, click here.
Two bills tackling catalytic converter thefts have also been signed:
- AB 1740 - Requires core recyclers to record the year, make, and model of the vehicle from which a catalytic converter was removed. The bill also prohibits a core recycler from purchasing a catalytic converter from anyone other than a licensed commercial enterprise or the owner of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter has been removed.
- SB 1087 - Prohibits the purchase of a detached catalytic converters unless it is purchased from the owner of the vehicle the catalytic converter was removed from, or from an automobile manufacturer, dealer, dismantler, auto repair specialist, or any other business that generates, possesses, or sells used catalytic converters.
2022 Latino Heritage Month Celebration
In honor of Latino Heritage Month, we recognized our small business of the year Taqueria Las Vegas and five of our local leaders doing incredible work in our community: David Mosqueda, Lupe Lopez, Guadalupe Alvarez, Renata Sanchez, and Michael Ortiz. This work includes spotlighting the Sunnyhills neighborhood, reducing hunger, and providing a world class education for our students! Learn more.
Middle Class Refund
Payments will begin to be sent out starting next week ranging from $200 up to $1,050. Learn more about eligibility or your estimated payment amount here.
Milpitas SMART
Milpitas residents: Milpitas Simple Mobile Access to Reliable Transit (SMART) service has launched! The app-based on-demand service provides convenient, affordable, and on-demand connections to the Great Mall, City Hall, Milpitas Transit Center and VTA light rail stops.
The cost per ride is $2.50 for adults and $1 for youth, disabled and low-income populations. Service is available weekdays from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Learn more.
Yours in Service,
Alex Lee
Assemblymember, 25th District
