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Around Town: state recognition

STATE RECOGNITION ... Ada's Cafe was selected by state Assemblyman Marc Berman as the 24th Assembly District's Small Business of the Year. Representatives from the coffee shop went to Sacramento on Monday, June 5, where they received the award during a lunchtime ceremony attended by about 500 people. Berman recognized the business for its commitment to hire adults with developmental disabilities and its research in best practices to provide "meaningful employment" for them.

Feds Sign Off On $647 Million Grant to Electrify Caltrain - San Jose Inside

Federal transportation authorities announced Monday that Caltrain will get the $647 million it needs to electrify the commuter line, which runs from San Francisco to Gilroy. U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao will sign a deal disbursing the money over the next five years. The federal dollars will cover about a third of the $2 billion project. The state and local government agencies will have to drum up the rest of the money.

New suicide prevention bill passes

With many having spoken out about the government’s inability to adequately examine prevalent issues regarding teen depression, Marc Berman — a former Palo Alto city councilman now serving in the California State Assembly — proposed a suicide assessment bill that was passed by the State Assembly Education Committee last week.

May revise draws praise and concern: Local legislators respond to Brown’s updated budget

Lawmakers representing San Mateo County in the state’s Capitol were cautiously optimistic following the governor’s updated budget proposal that included increased spending for child care, education and transportation. However, there’s a long road ahead as they seek to balance federal uncertainties with hopes for meaningful solutions to address the housing crisis.

Thursday marked Gov. Brown’s May revise, a $124 billion general fund proposal updated from what he unveiled in January.