Virtual Town Hall on Wildfire Preparedness, Holding EDD Accountable & Community Spotlight
Dear Neighbor:
It’s been incredible to watch our community band together to fight COVID-19. The time has come again for us to prepare for a more familiar fight - the upcoming fire season in Southern California. While we’ve lived with wildfires our whole lives, fire season can change from year to year.
Join me and Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, NOW, for a Facebook LIVE Town Hall or replay the video at a later time to learn tips on how to protect your family.
MAKING GOVERNMENT WORK FOR THE PEOPLE
EDD is failing California. Every day, we hear from thousands of desperate Californians who are in dire straits - not sure how they are going to pay their bills, make their rent or feed their children. This desperation is being met by a disinterested bureaucracy who fails to answer the phone, return emails or provide any real solution. This is heart wrenching, maddening and totally unacceptable. After months of banging my head against this wall, I am done being patient.
Last Thursday we held a State Budget Oversight Hearing asking California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) questions about their response to unemployment insurance claims during the pandemic, focusing on service levels, capacity, efficiency and technology modernization.
I stressed the need for firm and actionable commitments from EDD, watch here:
I was totally dismayed by EDD’s lack of straight answers and the bottom line is we’re not going to let EDD get away with failing Californians. My colleagues and I are pushing EDD to rapidly upgrade their customer service and technology to better serve the people of California.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Do you know of someone in our cities, who has gone above and beyond? Or someone who's working on a project (like sewing masks!) which is helping our community during this very critical time? Let us know! You can fill out the form here.
We are spotlighting community heroes on social media platforms and my website. Help us recognize them, and we'll reach out to them for an interview to be shared! Here’s the latest:
Sasha is an Irvine high school senior, who created the Anti-Racism Education Project this Spring. Now, just a few weeks later, the club has over 470 participants and 115 organizers from 38 states and 16 countries.
Sasha has worked with educators from institutions all over the United States, including the University of California, Irvine. Her work has gained national attention and cooperation with students all over the world, and we're proud of the initiative she's shown to tackle this very important issue.
Here's a look at the Q&A she did with our office and you read more about Sasha in USA TODAY and learn more about The Anti-Racism Education Project at: https://www.theareproject.org.
You can also catch up on my virtual town halls from previous weeks. Topics include masking, California’s economy, higher education, primary education, mental health, unemployment assistance, resources for veterans, help for renters & homeowners, tax extensions and COVID-19 testing.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach to out my office with questions or assistance. We must continue to stand together when facing the challenges of this pandemic. If you have any questions call my team at: (949) 251-0074. Stay home, stay safe, stay strong.