Hi Neighbor!

The California Legislature has officially adjourned for the 2026 session. Over 900 bills now sit on the Governor's desk and we are all waiting to see if they'll be signed into law by the September 30 deadline. In the meantime, I'm grateful to slow down, spend time back in the community, and enjoy September in California's most beautiful Assembly District!

In August, I invited mental health advocates to the Capitol ahead of my presentation of HR 126, designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. As someone who dedicates themselves to suicide prevention efforts year-round, this month of recognition means the world to me because awareness is prevention when the topic is suicide. Suicide is preventable when we learn to notice the signs and what to do when we notice them: ask the uncomfortable questions directly, listen without judgment, and share resources like the 988 Lifeline.

In the spirit of suicide prevention, Care Fair, my annual resource fair and honoree ceremony focused on uplifting preventive care and local Mental Health Heroes, returns on Saturday, September 26, from 11 AM to 2 PM! This event rotates through Assembly District 28 each year and will stop in Morgan Hill for the first time. Situated right down the street from the Morgan Hill Farmer's Market, you can grab some local produce and head down to the Community and Cultural Center Amphitheater to receive free health screenings, get important vaccinations, explore local resources, and join us in celebrating our remarkable 2026 AD 28 Mental Health Heroes!

Legislative Update

August 31 marked the end of the 2026 legislative session. Now we wait for the Governor to act on over 900 bills that strengthen public safety, AI regulation, election integrity, and more.

This was a busy session for Team Pellerin. I was proud to author bills addressing mental health, public safety, natural resources, education, consumer protection, transportation, and elections. By the end of the session, 14 of my bills were sent to the Governor. As of September 14, three of them have already been signed into law:

AB 1736: Prohibits lobbyist employers and lobbying coalitions from engaging in deceptive lobbying techniques.

AB 1919: Gives Santa Cruz METRO the election procedure authority to be able to proceed with a citizen's initiative.

AB 2333: Prevents the expiration of liability protections for foster family agencies against harms caused by other actors.

11 of my bills still await Governor Newsom's signature. He has until September 30 to sign them into law:

2026-2027 Budget Update

Crafting this year's budget proved especially difficult as our state has begun to feel the impacts of the cuts coming down from Washington. The dismantling of safety-net programs we're seeing is truly a historic crisis. Health care costs keep climbing, and Californians are losing access to care, food assistance, and other forms of support. While it proved impossible to backfill every cut, our budget rejects, delays, and softens as much harm as possible.

With input from Californians and the Legislature's collective effort, our final budget reflected the values of our state by ensuring investments in reproductive health, gender-affirming care, security for nonprofit institutions, subsidized premiums for Covered California enrollees, affordable housing projects, diaper banks, education with the highest per-pupil funding, and wildfire prevention.

I'm proud to have championed investments in health care, historic conservation, increased access to locally grown produce, and election integrity throughout budget negotiations. You can find in-depth descriptions of the victories I led on my website but here's a snapshot of the state funds that specifically impact Assembly District 28:

• $2,000,000 to Santa Clara Valley Healthcare for equipment to expand behavioral health treatment modalities.
• $1,000,000 to the City of Santa Cruz for the repair of the Lifeguard headquarters.
• $1,000,000 from the Coastal Management Program will be appropriated for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to fund the permanent protection of the Coyote Fields property in Coyote Valley.
• $250,000 to Santa Cruz Metro for radio modernization.

Past Events

Lick Observatory 150th Anniversary

What an honor to celebrate 150 years of the Lick Observatory at San José City Hall. Since 1876, the UC Santa Cruz-run observatory atop Mount Hamilton has been a hub of groundbreaking research and discovery, and California's first observatory. It's not every day that something so significant has a milestone anniversary, and that was reflected in the attendance. Congressmember Zoe Lofgren, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, Senator Dave Cortese, UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive, UC President James Milliken, Nobel Laureate Dr. Andrea Ghez, and NASA Astronaut Captain Victor Glover all joined the celebration.

O'Neill Sea Odyssey 30th Anniversary

Jack O'Neill was a visionary who understood the importance of giving kids the opportunity to experience and connect with the ocean firsthand. 30 years ago he founded his nonprofit, O'Neill Sea Odyssey, to make that opportunity accessible. His family has carried that vision forward, creating a legacy for generations of young ocean explorers.

Fast forward 30 years, and under the leadership of Executive Director Tracey Weiss, the organization serves nearly 5,000 students annually, a majority of whom are multilingual learners, underrepresented minorities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged. For many students, this is their first experience being out on the water. 30 years of impact wouldn't be possible without the dedicated staff, board members, and volunteers who continue to bring that vision to life every day. Here's to an incredible legacy and many more years of inspiring the next generation of ocean-minded stewards!

Santa Cruz Guitar Company's 50th Anniversary

Santa Cruz Guitar Company has crafted exceptional instruments right here in AD28 since 1976, building a global reputation not only for itself but also for our coastal city among musicians.

The company's founder, master luthier Richard Hoover, ensures that the quality of their instruments has remained consistent over all these years. I appreciated Richard's reminder that no single person makes a Santa Cruz Guitar Company guitar. Every instrument is a team effort, reflecting the skill, craftsmanship, and dedication of all involved in his business. It was a privilege to present a resolution recognizing their 50 years of business and the beautiful music they've brought into our world.

25 Years Remembering 9/11

This year marks 25 years since the horrific terror attacks of September 11, 2001, which took thousands of lives and left our entire nation grieving. United, all of us who experienced that day vowed to always remember: the innocence of those simply going about a normal day at work, the families who never got to say goodbye, and the first responders who courageously ran toward danger while civilians ran away. Among those lost were heroes Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer, Los Gatos alumni who courageously confronted the United Airlines Flight 93 hijacker, saving countless lives.

In respect for the heroes and victims of 9/11, Team Pellerin attended San José's 25th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony, joining the community in the same spirit of unity that followed the attacks.

It was a solemn occasion, with leaders calling on all of us to raise the levels of kindness and connection in our country. The ceremony closed with the ringing of the last alarm, a traditional farewell honoring those who lost their lives in service to others on that day in 2001. 25 years later, we still carry the grief and honor their sacrifice.

The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

Located on the southern edge of my Assembly District 28, The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park spans over 10,000 acres of natural beauty. This park is a hiker's paradise, offering dense redwood forests, sprawling meadows, rippling creeks, and an abundance of wildlife. The preserved natural beauty found here serves as a reminder of how lucky we are to call this region home.

Courtesy of California State Parks, 2026.

Resources & Updates

California Launches EV Rebates for First-Time Buyers
The California MyFirstEV program provides first-time EV buyers with a point-of-sale discount of $3,500 on a new EV or $1,750 off a pre-owned EV. MSRP limits of $50,000 for new and $25,000 for pre-owned EVs apply unless the vehicle is from a California-based automaker.

Stack the state rebate with other incentives to save even more. SV Clean Energy offers a $2,000 rebate for income-qualified residents and a $1,000-$4,000 PG&E pre-owned EV rebate. Be sure to use the SVCE rate comparison tool to see how you can save on a rate designed for EV owners charging at home.

Second Chance Week 2026
Second Chance Week 2026 has begun in South Santa Clara County and will continue through September 20! With the environmental goal of putting more used items back into circulation and keeping materials out of the landfill, Second Chance Week features a diverse range of innovative reuse, resale, and repair activities. Learn about opportunities to donate unwanted items to those who would appreciate them, and head to the City of Morgan Hill's website on September 18 to find a list of addresses participating in the citywide garage sale happening September 19 and 20.

Limited Edition San José Sharks Library Cards

Every September, National Library Card Sign-Up Month is celebrated at libraries nationwide. The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) wants to make sure every child, teen and adult has their very own library card. To help make that happen, they've collaborated with the San José Sharks to release TWO limited-edition library cards.

These cards are available now at all SCCLD libraries and the Bookmobile. Existing patrons can update their account with these limited edition designs. A free SCCLD library card is valid at all SCCLD libraries, the Bookmobile and Online Library. Visit the SCCLD website to learn more about their 2+ million-item collection, which offers much more than books.

CA Secretary of State Pop-Up Shop
The California Secretary of State's Pop-Up Shop is coming to Santa Clara County on Friday, September 25, from 8 AM to 3 PM, in partnership with the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder at 110 W Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San José. This free event offers in-person Apostille services, which authenticate California public documents for use in another country. New this year, Domestic Partnership registration will also be available on-site. Free parking is available. For questions, email PopUpShop@sos.ca.gov.

Free Green Waste Disposal for Santa Cruz County District 5 Residents
To facilitate community home hardening and wildfire fuel reduction efforts, County Supervisor Monica Martinez and Santa Cruz County CDI are excited to offer no-cost green waste disposal days to residents of the San Lorenzo Valley and unincorporated area of Scotts Valley. District 5 residents are encouraged to take advantage of this special opportunity to affordably dispose of green waste at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station on September 26. Head to CDI's website to read about the program details and requirements ahead of attending.

3rd Annual Glen Fest

If you're up for more AD28 fun after Care Fair, head to Downtown Willow Glen on Saturday, September 26 for one of the neighborhood's largest community events of the year, Glen Fest! Unique food from local vendors will be offered for purchase, as well as beer, wine and refreshments. Live bands will pump out tunes throughout the event, so go get your groove on with friends and family. The Kids' Court will feature bouncy houses, face painting, and a photo booth.

Constituent Services

As your elected representative, I'm here to serve you in a variety of ways. One of the most important is helping you navigate issues with state agencies.

Whether it's the DMV, Franchise Tax Board, EDD, Disability Insurance, or another state department -- we're here to help. Contact my office through my website or by calling:

San José District Office: (408) 264-2848
Santa Cruz District Office: (831) 425-1503

You can also visit our offices -- just call ahead to make an appointment so staff are ready to assist.

Please don't hesitate to reach out. My team is ready to support you however we can.

Warm regards,

Gail Pellerin
Assemblymember, District 28