Summer Update: Housing Wins, AI Bots, and a Toast to Napa
A Note from Senator Cabaldon
Summer is in full swing, and it's a good time to check in with you all before we head into the final sprint to pass bills ahead of the August 31 constitutional deadline.
In Sacramento, we've been busy fighting for the people and communities that make this region extraordinary. We’re advocating for affordable housing, protecting access to benefits, defending your voice in government, and holding bad actors accountable. We're also proud to be pushing Congress to finally recognize the 70,000 nurses who served in World War II, and marking 50 years since a handful of Napa winemakers changed the world.
Closer to home, we celebrated outstanding schools, incredible farmers, and the rich history of our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. We also sat down with the Department of Food and Agriculture to talk about a real threat to our vineyards and farms that you should know about.
There's a lot here — dig in, and as always, don't hesitate to reach out.
With gratitude,
Senator Christopher Cabaldon
California's 3rd Senate District
Fighting for You in Sacramento
From housing and benefits to bots and public safety — here's what we're working on.
Housing for All, SB 417
I introduced SB 417 in early 2025 to address California's housing needs. The bill was signed by Governor Newsom and will appear on the November 2026 ballot.
Watch Sen. Cabaldon's Senate floor remarks here:
Budget Wins, Close to Home
This year's state budget reflects the California values we've worked hard to protect: a balanced budget over the next two years, safeguards against deep cuts to core services, and continued investment in childcare, housing, homelessness solutions, and higher education. One highlight close to home: Sonoma State University is now putting last year's major state funding win to work, using the investment to strengthen programs and support students across the North Bay.
Protecting Californians, SB 1054
The federal government made it harder for people to collect SNAP/Cal-Fresh (food stamps) and Medicare benefits by adding additional paperwork to the process. But a simple change to an existing State data system could allow California to automatically certify eligibility for more than 80% of qualified Californians—without them having to apply at all. So, we're changing how we do things in California and collecting the additional data needed to ensure people who qualify get the aid they need.
Making Sure Your Voice is Heard, SB 1159
Artificial Intelligence agents can pose as humans and instantly generate thousands of public comments, swarming government inboxes with fake letters, swaying votes and drowning out real constituent voices. It's already happening. Our bill puts a stop to it — making sure real people are heard in government decisions, not bots. Thanks to Vacaville Vice Mayor Mike Silva, Napa County Supervisor Belia Ramos, and Yolo County Supervisor Oscar Villegas for coming to testify in the Capitol about what this legislation is so important.
Accountability in Esparto, SB 828
We’ve worked with the office of the State Fire Marshal and law enforcement on this comprehensive bill that closes the licensing and enforcement gaps that could have contributed to this devastating event.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
June Pride
Our June Pride Month Honoree
From left to right, Senator Christopher Cabaldon, Dr. Amie Carter, Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón and Senator Sabrina Cervantes
Dr. Amie Carter is proof that representation changes everything. As Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools — the first woman and out LGBTQ+ leader to hold the office — Dr. Carter brings her full self to one of the most important jobs in our region. Her work goes beyond administration: she's building schools where every student feels safe, seen, and prepared for the future, weaving inclusion into policy, professional learning, and student support from the ground up. We’re proud to recognize Dr. Carter as our June Pride Month Honoree — a leader making a lasting difference in classrooms across Sonoma County and a role model for our entire district.
Nurses of a field hospital who arrived in France via England and Egypt after three years service. (1944). National Archives Catalog. photograph. Retrieved from here.
It’s Time to Honor Our WWII Nurses
More than 70,000 military nurses served bravely during World War II — triaging wounds, saving lives, and putting themselves in harm's way alongside the soldiers they cared for. Yet decades later, their service has not been formally recognized by the U.S. Congress. Senator Cabaldon authored SJR 14 to ensure California adds its voice — and its weight — to this long-overdue call for recognition, urging Congress to award these women the Congressional Gold Medal they deserve. Some debts of gratitude are long overdue. It is time for Congress to act.
The Judgement of Paris
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris and Senate Resolution 115 made it official. If you’re not familiar, it’s a great origin story that launched what we now know as Wine Country. Here is the short version: In 1976 winemakers from Napa were invited to a blind tasting in Paris. Back then, California was not known for wine by any stretch and of course no one took this band of upstarts seriously. But that was about to change. Two wineries won in a stunning upset over some of France’s most esteemed names. In a few hours, history was made and so was the future of Napa. There was an article in Time Magazine and later a movie, a bottle in the Smithsonian and now a State Senate Resolution recognizing the incredible achievements of a few who dared. The story is better than we have room for here so check out our very short history of the Judgement of Paris, starring a couple of legislators, some people making wine today and Bo Barrett, a young unknown who made the trip in ’76 and came back a hero.
Watch the story of the Judgement of Paris here.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
Pictured are Stuart Walthall and Douglas Hsia.
Asian American History is California History. In May we celebrated where we’ve been and where we’re going. As the first Filipino American Senator in California, it is a moment of reflection, deep pride and gratitude. Here is an excerpt from my speech on the Senate floor:
“When I first came to this Capitol as a staffer, there wasn’t a single Asian American or Pacific Islander serving in the legislature. Year after year, so many Californians’ perspectives and voices and histories weren’t told. It is incredibly meaningful to be on this floor with two of my colleagues now serving. Despite all the challenges, these are the communities that have built our state. They’ve made California better. We have to keep telling our stories. It is so profoundly important.”
-Senator Cabaldon
Click here to watch my Senate floor remarks.
We are also recognizing the work of the Locke Foundation and their ongoing efforts to preserve the community of Locke, the oldest rural Chinatown in America and a National Historical Landmark since 1990.
The Ning Hou Workshop in Locke was originally a Baptist Church built in 1926 to serve a predominantly Chinese Christian congregation.
Ag Day and Alice Waters
No doubt much of the delicious food you'll enjoy this season came from our own District 3. Agriculture Day at the State Capitol is an opportunity to celebrate with some of the farmers and farm workers who bring in the bounty every season. It’s also a chance for legislators and growers to talk about issues face to face, hear firsthand what’s happening on the ground and inform us about how we can support this vital industry. The day brought fresh food, some very pet-able animals and even a moment to chat with food royalty - Alice Waters - Chez Panisse Owner, Edible Schoolyard founder and Farm to Table advocate who talked to us about how her incredible story could only have happened in California. Click here to watch.
Celebrating Our Excellent Schools
We’re excited to announce that these six public schools in our Senate district were recognized by the California Department of Education as 2026 California Distinguished Schools: Liberty Union High, Benicia Middle School, Green Valley Middle School, Vanden High School, Washington Middle College H.S. and Credo High School. The California Distinguished Schools Program was established in 1985 to honor outstanding educational achievement and innovative practices.
Building for the Future in Education
My recent appointment to the State Allocation Board allows me to help shape investments in school facilities across the state. This year, Napa Valley Unified schools, including Vintage High, Napa High, and several elementary campuses, are receiving new funding, along with projects in Benicia, Vallejo, Vacaville, West Sacramento, and Brentwood. It's a welcome reminder that even in a tight budget year, real investment in local schools is still getting done.
Glassy-Wing Sharpshooter Update
We sat down with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross to talk about the recent threat to our backyards, wineries, farms and state economy. Grape plants purchased at a big box store were found to be infested with the GWSS and from there the CDFA deployed all their resources to track and stop the spread of these destructive insects. How it happened and what you can do now are covered in our video. Click here to watch.
You can also check out the CDFA’s page to learn more here.