I believe Catherine Stefani’s column should more accurately have the title: “Standing Up For Corporate Healthcare Interests.” By working on incremental reform through the bills listed in her column, fundamental healthcare reform that is urgently needed is once again defeated. The profits of those who provide campaign contributions to the great majority of legislators in Sacramento are safe for another year.
For far too many of our neighbors, access to quality, affordable healthcare is not a given. And over the past year, it’s been made painfully clear that it’s something we have to fight for. While the federal government continues to threaten healthcare access and funding, I’ve made it a top priority to advance a legislative package this year that protects patients, closes gaps in care and holds our healthcare system accountable to the people it serves.
In my conversations with neighbors, I often hear concerns about scams and fraud targeting seniors. Many of us have seen these scams impact our loved ones, and while they may seem like just a nuisance, they can also carry serious financial and emotional consequences.
Earlier this month, I stood inside the warehouse at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank surrounded by individuals packing groceries for families across the Bay Area. Boxes moved steadily down the line. Fresh produce was sorted and stacked. Drivers mapped out delivery routes to bring food to families in need.
California is facing a behavioral health crisis that affects communities across the state. Too many families watch loved ones with serious mental illness cycle through emergency rooms, psychiatric holds, jails and homelessness while the system intervenes only after a crisis has escalated.
This month, in partnership with SF Mayor Daniel Lurie, I am introducing legislation to allow prosecutors to file felony charges when abusers violate protective orders in high-risk cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
As we head into the holiday season, there’s no better time to celebrate and support the small businesses that make our neighborhoods so special. Whether it’s a cup of coffee from your favorite cafe on Balboa Street, a gift from a shop on Clement Street or dinner at arestaurant on Irving Street, small businesses are the heart and soul of the Richmond and Sunset districts.
Now that this year’s legislative session has wrapped up, I’m excited to spend the fall back in our neighborhoods, focusing on the issues that matter most to our community. While I was proud to send eight bills to the governor’s desk this year, what I look forward to most is being out in our neighborhoods, listening, connecting and working with you on the challenges and priorities we share.
Republicans are playing games with our democracy. And here’s the thing about playing stupid games: you win stupid prizes.
In classic Elon Musk fashion, it started with a post on X: Tesla’s robotaxi service would be coming to the San Francisco Bay Area “in a month or two.” No permits. No transparency. No details. Just hype.
From my very first day in public service, I’ve believed our budgets are moral documents. They reflect what we value. That’s why I’ve always taken my role in shaping public budgets seriously, whether on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors or now in the California State Assembly.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your assemblymember, representing the west side of San Francisco in the California Legislature.
As I step into this role, I remain deeply committed to addressing the issues that matter most to our communities. That’s why I am excited to share details about my first legislative efforts – bills designed to make our neighborhoods safer, healthier and more affordable. None of this would be possible without you, the voters who placed your trust in me to lead and advocate on your behalf.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 