The Dawn Digest: April 2024
I know you want to live in a California where families and children thrive, and I am working hard to make that a reality. In this update, you will discover how I am representing your interests in the legislature, meet our team's Rising Star and get a glimpse of my recent activities.
Thank you for taking the time to find out what's happening in the Capitol and how we are serving your Central Coast needs.
Yours in Service,
Dawn Addis
Assistant Majority Leader for Policy and Research
30th Assembly District
New Year - New Leadership Position
In my new role as Assistant Majority Leader for Policy and Research, I am responsible for assisting the Speaker and the Majority Leader with policy and program development that is right for California communities. It is an honor to be appointed to this position by Speaker Rivas and I look forward to working closely with him this year.
California Legislative Central Coast Caucus (CLCCC)
I am proud to have been selected as Chair of the CLCCC by my colleagues in the state legislature. Founded in 2023, our group of ten central coast legislators is working hard advocating for the needs of our communities. Our region brings billions of dollars to the California economy every year and it is important that the Central Coast is strongly represented in California's policy and budget. In March, the CLCCC approved our first-ever policy and budget priorities.
Legislative Package
I'm proud to introduce legislation that meets California's needs while reflecting Central Coast values. My package focuses on six important areas:
- Safe, Affordable, Inclusive Education
As a special education public school teacher, it's important to me that California provides the highest quality education. From childcare to adulthood, I am working to lower costs, increase safety and provide California's students with inclusive environments.
- Environmental Protection
I am working to protect the things we love about living here: our pristine ocean, coastline and inland communities. Giving local governments the power to ban oil and gas production, limiting harmful chemicals that enter our waterways, making sure offshore wind energy is done right and restoring kelp habitats are all ways I am working to protect the Central Coast.
- Transparency, Affordability and Emergency Preparedness
Every Californian deserves a safe place to live and transparency around where their hard-earned dollars are going. This is why I have introduced legislation to enhance emergency preparedness for mobile home residents and create transparency around utilities costs.
- Preventing Abuse - Expanding Justice
Being a mother, just like you I want to make sure all children have safe environments. I'm actively working to prevent sexual abuse and harassment and ensuring pathways to justice if they occur.
- California's Food and Wine
Central Coast food and wine are world-class and deserve to be promoted and protected. I am working to codify a new "California Grown" label for the expanding culinary mushroom industry and to eliminate invasive diseases that harm California's vineyards.
- Local Decision Making
As a former City Council member, I believe local communities should have a strong voice in land-use decisions. I am working to support local decision-makers so that they have the capacity and authority to limit oil, gas extractions in their communities and enact policies that fit local needs while benefiting all Californians.
Find more details on my full legislative package.
Committee Appointments
Representing your voice is my priority. I am proud to serve on the following committees where important policy decisions are made.
Standing Committees
- Education
- Water, Parks and Wildlife
- Military and Veterans Affairs
- Government Organization
Joint Committees
- Vice Chair, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Select Committees
- Chair, Serving Students With Disabilities
- Chair, Offshore Wind Energy in California
Find more details about my committee assignments.
Snapshots
I have been busy meeting with constituents at home and around the Capitol and presenting legislation in various committees.
Amazing student-leaders from Cambria, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo visited us in Sacramento. They were participating in the Sacramento Leadership Experience with California FFA and are paving the way for a promising future in agriculture and civic engagement.
Dozens of young women from the Central Coast visited the Capitol with Girls Inc. It was an honor to speak with them about leadership and making change for women and girls around the world.
Thank you to Marina Owen, CEO of CenCal Health, who lives in our Assembly District for stopping by. CenCal Health has served the Central Coast for 40 years.
Higher Education Committee Hearing on Assembly Bill 1885 - Student Success Completion Grant Program.
(Photo Credit: Assemblymember Tasha Boerner)
So proud to join the first ever, sold-out, Latina Empowerment Roundtable on the Visionaries in Action panel along with County Supervisor Ortiz-Legg and SLO County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls President Raechelle Bowley. As Dolores Huerta said, "Walk the street with us into history. Get off the sidewalk."
Celebrating Woman of the Year Nalleli Cobo-Uriarte, Environmental Champion as part of the California Legislative Women's Caucus Women Making HERstory celebration.
Recognizing State Parks Peace Officer Ranger Jake Dinolfi and Lifeguard Jaycee Hollins [not shown] for their courageous and selfless act of heroism that extended far beyond the normal call of duty when they rescued a family of five during the December Winter swell at Pismo State Beach.
I had the honor of speaking at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Midstate Conference Legislative Luncheon along with Senator John Laird, discussing key topics like legislative priorities, the impact of serving on the Assembly Education Committee and the crucial role educators play in ensuring safe learning environments.
Surrounded by community leaders invested in student development at the Your Future Is Our Business Education & Business Luncheon.
Enjoyed meeting with Santa Cruz County Business Council, engaging in discussion on collaboration, economic growth and community impact.
Awards
SEIU California Legislative Champion
I am honored to receive the SEIU California Legislative Champion award! Thank you SEIU for this recognition and for your unwavering dedication to working people.
Champion of Public Higher Education
I was incredibly proud to receive the 2023 Champion of Public Higher Education award! As a teacher, improving education is my top priority and I'm grateful to be recognized for my work in higher education.
A Rising Star
Please help me celebrate my new Chief of Staff, "Rising Star" Julie Cravotto. Ms. Cravotto was recently promoted to Chief of Staff from Legislative Director. Within weeks, she was named "Rising Star" by Capitol Weekly. Julie now leads our entire Capitol and District teams. Born and raised in California, Julie enjoys state history and visiting iconic Central Coast sites like Hearst Castle, Cannery Row and Seacliff Beach. Julie is a self-proclaimed cat person and is English-French bilingual. (Photo by Scott Duncan Photography)