Reflecting on 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we have the opportunity to reflect on the challenges we faced and the progress we made together this year. The year 2025 was defined by difficult budget choices, serious conversations about affordability and a shared responsibility to keep our state moving forward – especially for working families who are feeling the pressure of rising costs and an uncertain economy.

This year, my colleagues and I worked to protect core priorities: making life more affordable, strengthening public education, addressing the shortage of affordable housing, improving public safety and investing in a clean-energy future that creates good-paying jobs.

Affordability remains the defining issue for families and businesses across our state. From housing costs to groceries to gas prices, too many Californians are stretched thin. In response, the state legislature advanced policies aimed at lowering everyday costs, expanding access to affordable housing and protecting consumers from unfair practices. 

While no single bill can solve these challenges overnight, I can share that 2025 was a year of progress made.

Housing was a major priority this year. As part of the 2025-26 state budget, which included the passage of Assembly Bill 130 and Senate Bill 131, we took action to make it faster and cheaper to build housing and infrastructure in California.  Specifically, AB 130 makes several housing laws permanent that were previously temporary, including limits on the number of public hearings required and setting deadlines for project approvals.

The state legislature also took action in the healthcare space. For example, Gov. Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 116 into law, which includes changes to Medi-Cal health insurance eligibility and premiums. This important law also expands healthcare coverage for infertility treatments.

Education was another top priority. Our schools are the backbone of our communities and this year we continued to invest in classrooms, educators and students. Per pupil spending under the 2025/2026 budget increases to $25,176. We also grew Career and Technical Education funding by $150 million and secured more funding for school meals, homeless student assistance, after school programs, literacy programs and teacher recruitment and retention.

Public safety and community well-being also guided our work. Californians deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, on public transit and at home. This year we passed laws to combat the exploitation of minors, expand the definition of home burglary tools, increase penalties for criminal threats and codify post-conviction discovery standards. 

At the same time, California continued to lead on climate action. As wildfires, droughts and extreme heat remind us of what’s at stake, we doubled down on climate resilience and environmental protection. We were proud to champion both Assembly Bill 43 (Scenic and Wild Rivers) and Assembly Bill 1319 (California Endangered Species Act) to counteract the rolling back of federal protections by the Trump Administration.  

We also worked with our legislative colleagues and Gov. Newsom to grow annual funding for our state’s film and television tax credit program from $330 million to $750 million while also expanding tax credit program eligibility under Assembly Bill 1138. These initiatives will help keep entertainment production jobs here in Southern California.

I’m proud of what we accomplished but I also know there is more work ahead. Democracy doesn’t pause at the end of the year and neither do the challenges facing our communities. 

The coming year will demand continued partnership – between state and local leaders, between government and community organizations and across party lines whenever possible. Serving in the Assembly is an honor I do not take lightly and I remain committed to showing up, listening and fighting for policies that reflect our shared values of fairness, opportunity and dignity for all.

As we look toward the new year, I am hopeful – not because the work is easy, but because Californians have always proven that when we come together, we can meet any challenge head-on.  

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year!