Senator Caroline Menjivar's May 2026 Newsletter

SD20, I love it when you come to visit me. This month, the Boys & Girls Club of West Valley visited the California State Capitol. We had great laughs, lots of questions were answered, and I gave them a tour of the Senate Chambers. It's important we uplift youth and allow them to share their voice to empower them because when we invest in youth, we invest in the future of our communities. Thank you to the Boys & Girls Club of West Valley for visiting me and for all the work your organization does across the world.
 

SD20, following the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense hearing process of my package, 2 of my bills were held on suspense and 7 bills advanced to the Senate floor. 10 bills remain on track to move to the Assembly before the House Of Origin deadline on May 29, 2026. The 2 bills held in suspense which means they died were The Care with Dignity Act that looked to prevent ICE Agents from staying in hospital rooms when someone they detained needed care. The other one was the Salvadorean Doctors bill which sought to replicate the current program where we bring doctors from Mexico to address the low percentage of bilingual Spanish speaking physicians. Those advancing to the Senate are the Community Trust Act, Elder Abuse Accountability Act, Fair & Affordable HOA, FireFighter Paid Leave Act, Affordable H2O Act, SAFER Driving Act, Definition Of Infants, Cash Act, Child Custody Act, & the Youth Over Smoke Act.
 

I held my latest Coffee with Caroline in partnership with Reseda Neighborhood Council at Shift Our Ways Collective's community garden and it was phenomenal. You can watch a recap of the event HERE! Thank you to everyone who joined for a budget and legislative update and for sharing what matters most to you. Your feedback helps shape the work we bring back to Sacramento. Stay tuned for the next one!
 

Have you heard of GAIN? With DPSS's GAIN program you can receive employment-related services. Services include Job Club, Vocational Assessment, Education and Training, Subsidized Employment, Community Services, and Post-Employment Services. They can also assist with transportation, child care, and special job-related expenses, such as uniforms and tools; and connect you to domestic violence counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health services.

¿Has oído hablar de GAIN? Con el programa GAIN de DPSS puedes recibir servicios relacionados con el empleo. Estos servicios incluyen el Club de Empleo, la evaluación vocacional, la educación y la formación, el empleo subvencionado, los servicios comunitarios y los servicios posteriores al empleo. También pueden ayudarte con el transporte, el cuidado de los niños y los gastos especiales relacionados con el trabajo, como uniformes y herramientas; y ponerte en contacto con servicios de asesoramiento sobre violencia doméstica, tratamiento de trastornos por consumo de sustancias y servicios de salud mental.
 

Students of SD20, apply now for these three scholarship opportunities to help fund your education. Submit an application by May 31 for the Minerva Scholarship HERE

Submit an application by June 1, 5 PM for the Latino Scholarship HERE

Submit an application by June 30 for the LGBTQ Scholarship HERE
 

Anheuser-Busch brewery is the San Fernando Valley oldest brewery, opening up in 1954! Originally built on a 65 acre site, they've expanded 95 acres and continue to be a major employer for the surrounding area. Did you know from 1966 to 1979, the site had its own tropical theme park, "Busch Gardens,", which was later closed to expand the brewery.
 

Thank you for reading the Senate District 20 Newsletter
 

May you and your families be well,

Senator Caroline Menjivar, MSW