Berman Bulletin: Legislative Victories & Community Updates
Welcome.
I hope you had a fun, festive, and safe 4th of July holiday and weekend.
I want to update you on the remarkable progress we’ve made on legislation and initiatives to improve our communities and all of California. This spring I passed 24 bills out of the Assembly and on to the Senate. Many of these bills were brought to me by community members who either proposed a specific bill idea or came to me with a problem that they wanted me to solve. Learn more about these bills below.
I am also focused on finding solutions to challenges I hear from my district, including lowering utility bills and combating retail theft. Constituent feedback plays a critical role in helping me advocate for you in Sacramento.
I have a slate of community events in the works this summer and fall. Check out my events calendar below for dates and details. I hope to see you there!
In this newsletter:
- Defending Our Democracy
- Audit of VTA
- Legislation From Our Community, for Our Community
- Nonprofit of the Year
- Around Town
- Upcoming events
- Read the full newsletter
Sincerely,
Marc Berman
Assemblymember, 23rd District
Update from the Capitol
| Defending our Democracy |
Imagine if a fake video appeared online of a candidate for office saying or doing something they neither said nor did – like accepting a bribe or saying that they’d hacked voting machines to ensure their victory. Current technology allows people to create these hyper-realistic, deceptive videos right now. That’s why I’m authoring AB 2655 to require that large online platforms do more to regulate deepfakes meant to affect the outcome of an election through false portrayals of candidates or election officials. Click the photo above to learn more.
| VTA Audit Finds Need for Governance Reform |
Last year, after numerous concerning reports of ineffective governance at the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), I spearheaded a state audit of the agency. The audit found that VTA’s process for appointing directors lacks public transparency and the short-term length deprives the board of the experience needed to provide the high-quality oversight of the agency that riders, VTA staff, and Santa Clara County taxpayers deserve.
This is not a surprise, as three Civil Grand Jury Reports, multiple consultants hired by VTA, and a 2008 audit by the State Auditor have identified the need for similar changes to VTA’s governance structure.
I was surprised and disappointed that VTA rejected the State Auditor’s recommendations to address these longstanding issues, but continue to work with VTA leadership to strengthen their governance. Learn more from the Mercury News below.
| Legislation From Our Community, for Our Community |
One of my priorities in the Assembly is authoring legislation to provide for the unique needs of the 23rd Assembly District. Nine of the bills I introduced this year originated from ideas or suggestions made by local community members. These locally driven bills range from free tuition at West Valley-Mission Community College District, to improving our mental health system, to prioritizing school zone traffic safety, to expanding access to teacher grants for those who teach at schools that serve the most severe special needs students, including at the Esther B Clark school in Palo Alto.
In addition, I am working with the Santa Clara County Office of Education on a juvenile justice in education bill, with the Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen to protect victims of revenge porn, and the City of Pacifica is working with me on a bill to help create a coastal trailhead.
Have a bill idea of your own? Add your idea to our 2025 bill ideas list below.
| Nonprofit of the Year |
I was honored to recognize Pacific Beach Coalition for their work to clean and restore San Mateo County’s beaches and creeks, as well as educate residents about critical climate challenges. Coastal access is inscribed in California’s constitution, but these breathtaking natural resources wouldn’t exist without an army of volunteers protecting and preserving the health of our ocean, beaches, native wildlife, and habitat. I have seen firsthand how Pacific Beach Coalition and their volunteers create a legacy of cleaner local beaches, healthier wildlife, and a community knit together through environmental stewardship. Learn more here.
Any nonprofits you know of doing amazing work? I’d love to hear more about it.
Happening in the District
| Out and About Around Town |
Affordable Housing Town Hall
At the end of May, I held an Affordable Housing Town Hall to speak about the ongoing housing crisis in California. Learn more or watch the full event below.
City of Pacifica Civic Center Ribbon Cutting
I joined Pacifica community leaders for the official ribbon cutting of the new Pacifica Civic Center and City Hall, which will serve as a hub for community engagement and local government.
Caltrain Electrification Project Viewing and 160th Anniversary Celebration
This month, I had the distinct honor of touring the new electric trains at Caltrain and participating in their 160th anniversary celebration. The event highlighted Caltrain’s remarkable legacy and their dedication to innovation and progress through the massive electrification project, exemplifying its role as a leader in modern public transportation.
Happy Pride Month!
In mid-June, I participated in the Half Moon Bay Pride Parade, riding in the parade with local legend Farmer John Muller, who was last year’s Pride Grand Marshall. It was great to see so many Coastside residents supporting the diverse local LGBTQ+ community!
Summer Interns
We are excited to welcome our new summer district office interns: Jeffrey, Sophia, Sonia, and Melanie. These talented students will be contributing to our team in various capacities, including event planning, constituent casework, and shadowing our district staff to gain hands-on experience in the workings of a government office.
Jeffrey, Sophia, Sonia, and Melanie bring diverse backgrounds and fresh perspectives, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will have in our office. Their roles will provide them with valuable insights into public service and the day-to-day operations of serving our constituents. We are confident that their enthusiasm and dedication will greatly benefit our office and the people of Assembly District 23.
| Upcoming Events |
San Jose Community Coffee: Thursday, July 25 from 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Co-hosted by San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei
West Valley Branch Community Library, 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd., San Jose
Mountain View Community Coffee: Wednesday, July 31 from 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Co-hosted by Mountain View Mayor Pat Showalter
Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro Street, Mountain View
Family Health & Wellness Fair: Saturday, September 21 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Co-hosted by Mountain View Whisman School District
Mistral Elementary School, 505 Escuela Ave, Mountain View, CA 94040
Virtual Senior Scam Stopper Seminar: Thursday, October 10, from 3 – 5 p.m. A panel of experts will provide information to seniors, caregivers, and family members about common scams to look out for and how you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.
On Zoom and livestream