Dear Friend,

September is an exciting time for the Legislature! Having spent quality time with constituents and my family during summer recess, I am thrilled to be back in Sacramento and looking forward to finishing the legislative year. As the final weeks of the legislative year unfold, I am prepared to work hard with my colleagues to ensure we advance the most important policies for our community. We expect to tackle things like new policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a comprehensive plan for affordable housing, and significant funding for our precious parks and natural resources.

This month, we also celebrate Labor Day. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a hard earned, restful day, and thank you for the contributions you all make to our economy.

As always, I encourage you all to stay engaged in the legislative process, and please feel free to contact my office should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Ben Hueso
State Senator
40^th District

Labor Day

National Grandparents Day

Last Day for each House to pass bills

International Day of Peace

Native American Day

For the complete legislative calendar go to:

Demands State Audit of San Diego County Public Nursing Resources:

State Senator Ben Hueso wrote a letter to the state legislature's Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) requesting an audit of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). Hueso stated the purpose for the audit is to determine whether adequate levels of county public health nurses are available to appropriately serve the needs of San Diego residents. According to the California Department of Health and Human Services, counties must have a maximum of 400 California Children's Service Cases per public nurse. Concerns arose after it became known that the current staffing assignments for San Diego County are at an average of 760 - 1 for the 13,560 active cases, which is almost double the amount of cases per public nurse.

Because Nurses play a critical role to the health and well-being of our community by promoting health and preventing disease, it is essential that the audit answer these key questions.

Earlier last month, Hueso also stated, "Protecting the public's health and safety is government's number one responsibility." He later added, "We have to step in to find out why the County isn't doing its job in addressing these health outbreaks with more nurses, and we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this gross lack of patient care." Hueso will continue to closely monitor the audit and take steps that will improve health outcomes for the community.

Senator Hueso Condemns Charlottesville Violence and Racism

Following the violence that occurred in Charlottesville, VA between white supremacists and counter-protestors, Senator Hueso, alongside his elected colleagues, was quick to condemn the horrific events that led to multiple injuries and tragically one death. At a news conference following the event, Hueso called groups like the KKK and neo-Nazis "a horrible cancer" that seek to cause pain and destruction to our communities.

Hueso emphasized the importance of our diversity and unity. He added, "We've become the largest economy in the world because of our unity." "These cowardly individuals are working to tear us apart." He emphasized that the root issue causing this destruction must be addressed before healing can begin.

Hueso later stated, he wants his children and all others to be free from racism and discrimination.

Teaming-Up with Outdoor Outreach Program

Senator Hueso teamed-up with the Outdoor Outreach Program and the Boys & Girls Club of Imperial Valley to bring more than 20 kids from Imperial Valley to Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado.

The two days were filled with a variety of beach related activities. The kids participated in kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, and making traditional camp-fire s'more. For many of the kids who participated, it was their first time ever at a beach and their first time interacting with water activities. One of the participants from the trip was vocal about her excitement, stating, "As you know, we are from the desert so we don't get very many opportunities to do stuff like this, and it is an amazing feeling."

For families who live in the Valley, a trip to the coast can be both costly and inaccessible. The event emphasized the need for affordable access to the coast. Hueso called attention to transportation needs and ensuring access to the coast.

At the event, Hueso said to the youth, "If you learn anything from this trip, it is that the coastline belongs to you and your family, no matter where you live. And, we have the responsibility to protect it; because, it belongs to all of us."

Mayor's Breakfast, 2nd Annual Imperial Beach Pier Swim & Paddle

Senator Hueso was one of the 200 participants at the Annual Imperial Beach Mayor's Breakfast and 3K Beach Walk/Run. The breakfast was followed by the 2nd Annual Imperial Beach Pier Swim & Paddle Event.

There were several local organizations and dignitaries that were at the event. The organizations included Imperial Beach Girl Scouts, the Imperial Beach Woman's Club, and the Imperial Beach Historical Society. Among the dignitaries present were Port Commissioner Dan Malcolm, County Supervisor Greg Cox, Assemblymember Todd Gloria and board members from the South Bay Unified School District.

The event celebrated Imperial Beach's 61st birthday as well as the 5th Annual Sun and Sea Festival.

Senate Fellow Alexis Castro

Please join me in recognizing the outstanding work of Senate Fellow Alexis Castro that has skillfully accomplished this legislative year.

The Senate Fellows Program is one of the oldest and most prestigious programs in the country. The program is highly competitive; of the 500 applications that are received, only the top 18 applicants are placed in a Senate office. This program provides individuals the unique opportunity to work as a legislative staffer; thereby, exposing them to the diverse experiences and backgrounds of the legislative process.

Alexis Castro, a Calexico native, graduated from UC Berkeley with a double major in Sociology and Ethnic Studies. Since December 2016, Castro has staffed issues relating to energy, labor, and the military, among others. He is responsible for staffing the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs. Castro is also staffing Senate Bill 357, which would establish an international trade and investment office in Mexico.

San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Will Be Temporarily Closed

In order to continue the expansion project on the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, the U.S. General Services Administration has announced a temporary closure.

Please be advised that from Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 3 A.M. to Monday, September 25th at 12 P.M, the southbound lanes on the I-5 and I-805, and south of the California State Route (SR) 905 will be completely closed. This 57 hour closure is necessary to continue the ongoing project. During the closure, all southbound vehicle traffic will be detoured to the Otay Mesa land port of entry, located nine miles to the east of San Ysidro.

During the subsequent stages of construction in the following eight to nine weeks, the number of southbound lanes on the I-5 and I-805 will be reduced from five to three. This is expected to cause an increase in travel congestion. GSA will continue to work closely with the Customs and Border Patrol to minimize the impact to the traveling public.