Summer Update – Senator Monique Limón
Hello and happy August!
I hope you all have enjoyed the summer season so far. As the legislature returns for the final weeks of the 2022 Legislative Session, I wanted to provide you with a recap of what we have completed so far and what work is left to be done in Sacramento.
As always, my office is of assistance when needed. To reach us, please call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 965-0862 or our Oxnard office at (805) 988-1940 or email Senator.Limon@senate.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Monique Limón
Senator, 19th District
August is the last month of the legislative session. During this time, legislation must be approved by committees, be voted upon by both the full Assembly and Senate, and if necessary, be amended before consideration by the Governor for a signature. The last day for the legislature to pass legislation and send it to the Governor for review is August 31.
As I prepare to vote on legislation, I invite you to share your thoughts by visiting my website and completing the form (Contact | Senator Monique Limón (ca.gov)).
Want to learn more about the legislative process? Click on the links to learn more.
Last week, Assemblymember Steve Bennett and I co-hosted a Legislative Town Hall for Nonprofits with Jan Masaoka, CEO of CalNonprofits to discuss the impacts of the 2022 California State Budget. We also heard from Maricela Morales, Executive Director of CAUSE and Geoff Green, CEO of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation to get a glimpse of what they are seeing on the ground-level and what more can be done to help sustain our nonprofit sector.
If you missed this virtual town hall, you can view the full conversation here.
The California Arts Council has announced its first round of grant awards for 2022. This round provides more than $31 million for 1,100 grants across California.
SD-19 has received 44 grants to help the arts thrive in our communities including, the Elite Theater Company in Oxnard, The Santa Barbara Dance Institute, and Blue Sky Center in New Cuyama Valley.
To learn more, click here.
Golden Bear Pass:
Did you know that all CalWORKs families are now eligible to receive a free annual Golden Bear Pass to visit 200+ state parks and beaches?
For more information about the Golden Bear Pass, head to the link: https://cdss.ca.gov/goldenbearpass
IC Lara insurance resources for fire
Insurance Commissioner Lara issued an order to protect consumers from fire insurance non-renewals or cancellations for areas around the Alisal fire. This was made possible due to the Governor's emergency order. The order is retroactive from July 1, 2022 until July 1, 2023.
Consumers can visit the Department of Insurance website to see if their ZIP Code is included in the moratorium. Consumers should contact the Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 or via chat or email at insurance.ca.gov if they believe their insurance company is in violation of this law, or have additional claims-related questions. Consumers who were non-renewed prior to the emergency declaration date and are unable to obtain insurance or are dissatisfied with their current coverage should contact the California Department of Insurance for assistance in shopping for insurance.
Climate Corps Action Fellows
California Volunteers’ California Climate Action Corps Fellowship leverages the power of AmeriCorps to advance climate actions that engage community members, cultivate change, and leave a lasting impact.
The fellowship connects organizations and agencies with talented, motivated emerging leaders to move the needle on climate change in the community. If you want to make a difference, build a career in the climate field, and join a network of leaders, learn how to apply, here!
California Climate Action Corps Fellows are AmeriCorps Members who serve full-time (for either a two-month summer term or 11-month term) while gaining valuable experience, mentorship, and training. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.
Selected Fellows will be placed with Host Partner Organizations where they will:
- Learn real-world volunteer engagement and climate action skills through organizing community climate action projects.
- Serve with a public agency, tribe, nonprofit, or school committed to engaging their community in climate action focused on urban greening, organic waste and edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency.
- Be part of a community and statewide force of emerging leaders.
Fellows receive a monthly living allowance and education award(s) upon completion of the service term, which can be used to repay qualified student loans or pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. Living allowance and education award amounts vary by service term and length. Additional benefits, such as health insurance, are also available.
There are so many amazing events to attend throughout the month of August across SD-19. Hope to see you all there.
8/3 - 8/7 – Fiesta 2022
For the first time in three years, Santa Barbara will have a complete Fiesta this summer with the return of the historic parade, Mercados, and a variety of dance and celebrations throughout the community.
Facing historic Plaza De La Guerra and with City Hall as a backdrop, Officials from Old Spanish Days, the City of Santa Barbara, the Downtown Organization, and a variety of community partners unveiled plans for Fiesta 2022. Fiesta officially begins on Wednesday, August 3 with the opening of both Mercado De La Guerra and Mercado del Norte at McKensie Park. That evening, Fiesta Pequeña once again takes place on the steps of the Old Mission.
8/19 - 8/21 – Ventura County Pride Celebration
The Ventura County Pride Celebration in Downtown Ventura is free to the public and attracts a diverse crowd of LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies, and their families. Join us for a line-up of live entertainment, exhibitors, local food, informative non-profits, activities, and community member support!
Ventura County Pride Festival is a weekend-long event in August with over 5,000 attendees that celebrates the LGBTQ community, supporters, and allies in Ventura County. All proceeds raised will sustain the Community Resource Center and Diversity Collective programs and services. These services include free anonymous HIV & AIDS testing, peer-support groups, cultural competency training, and Rainbow Umbrella Youth Group, a safe space for LGBTQ youth and their allies.
8/20 – Ventura County Military & Veteran Job Fair / Expo
In partnership with the American Job and Career Center and the Ventura County Office of Education, the VSO is hosting this year’s Veterans and Military Expo and Job Fair on August 20, 2022, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This Veterans and Military Expo and Job Fair links community partners, employers, and other veteran resources into one venue, connecting veterans and their families with information on jobs, VA benefits and programs, and local veteran resources.
Thank you to our military community, both past and present, for the sacrifices you’ve made for all of us! Possess
8/27 – Santa Barbara Pride Celebration, at Chase Palm Park
Save the date for the Pacific Pride Festival, back at Chase Palm Park on Saturday, August 27, after a 2 year COVID-19 hiatus.
The Pacific Pride Foundation's Pacific Pride Festival is free to the public and attracts a diverse crowd of nearly 4,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and ally supporters and their families from the Central and South Coast. The all-day event in August features a line-up of live entertainment, exhibitors, local food, informative non-profits, activities, and community member support.