Dear Friends,

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays with your loved ones and Happy 2019!  As we enter 2019 and embark upon a new legislative session, I remain committed to work we have accomplished thus far and focus on improving the lives of those in Senate District 35. In total, for the 2017-18 legislative session I was able to get 22 bills through the legislative process and signed into law. Of course, there is still work to be done. Now may be a difficult time for many and there will be more challenges ahead, but we can reach our goals by unifying and supporting one other. With the New Year upon us, let us reflect upon our past achievements and build toward future successes. I look forward to continuing our hard work and representing you in Sacramento.

As always, I encourage you to reach out to my Capitol or District offices if you need assistance, have comments about state policy, or would like information on capitol and community events.

Best wishes,

Steven Bradford
Senator, District 35

Pediatric Therapy Network Halloween Ball

On Sunday, October 14, I attended the 23rd Annual Halloween Ball. This annual fundraiser benefits the 2,500 children of the Pediatric Therapy Network (PTN). This year, the fundraiser brought together hundreds of guests and raised over $300,000 for PTN. Today, 1 in 6 children in the U.S. are born with a developmental disability, and 1 in 59 are diagnosed with autism. The PTN helps these children by providing the community with high quality therapy, research, and education.

United for Inglewood

On Wednesday, October 24th, I stood in solidarity with my fellow elected officials and representatives from Inglewood Unified School District. We celebrated the state budget allocation we were able to secure this past year, which will provide vital reinvestment for Inglewood schools. The budget bill, AB 1840, appropriates roughly $21 million to K-14 education programs, and specifically addresses the needs of IUSD. This critical funding will help alleviate the financial burden on the district, create a long-term sustainable fiscal plan, and help schools continue focusing on what matters most - our students.

National Expungement Week: Diversity & Inclusion Social Equity Expo

October 20-27^th was National Expungement Week. I was invited by the National Diversity and Inclusion Alliance to speak on the significant opportunities that expungement creates and the importance of diversity in the cannabis industry.

Prior criminal histories can substantially limit access to housing, employment, education, public assistance, and voting rights long after sentences have been served. In some instances, even expunged convictions are accessed by employers and used to deny qualified applicants a job. This is why I authored SB 1412, which was signed by Governor Brown and became law on January 1^st of this year.

SB 1412 clarifies how employers are able to screen job applicants using judicially-dismissed convictions, preventing irrelevant, expunged criminal records from following a person throughout their life.  We must support those seeking employment and who have served their debt to society so they are not led back to a life of crime.

Centinela Hospital Maternity Services Grand Opening  

On October 29th, Centinela Hospital commemorated the opening of its new, innovative Maternity Unit. The maternity unit begins assisting future mothers from the moment they become pregnant to the moment they give birth. The Unit provides specialized care and has a dedicated staff of obstetricians, neonatologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses. Centinela Hospital has been consistently recognized with awards for its amazing staff and safety. Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Gardena Community Closet Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

November 2^nd, I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Gardena Community Closet, a store focused on giving to those in need. The store is open to the public and located at 1204 W. Gardena Blvd. Suite F (just west of Giuliano's Delicatessen). The Gardena Community Closet has a free clothing program that works with veterans, shelters, workforce investment agencies, and formerly incarcerated individuals. They also sell new and used men's, women's, and children's clothing. The store is nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible. 

Gardena's 49^th Annual Veterans Day Service

There are over 20 million U.S. veterans. Chances are high that you or someone you know is, or has a family member or friend who served in our Armed Forces. After fighting to protect our freedoms, we all have a duty to fight for them when they return. Here in our state Capitol, veterans are always on the policy agenda. In fact, if you were not aware, there are Veterans Affairs Committees for both the Senate and Assembly. You can find out more about past legislation and future Veteran committee hearings on the Senate or Assembly websites.

22^nd Annual Long Beach Veterans Day Parade

On November 10, I participated in the Long Beach Veterans Day Parade and Celebration and spoke with many of our district's veterans and their families. For 22 years, the parade has honored and celebrated the service of our community's veterans. It is important now, more than ever, for our community to come together and let our troops know they are supported and that we appreciate their service to our country. I remain dedicated to serving our nation's veterans and making sure they receive the benefits and recognition they deserve.

Operation Gobble: Rowley Memorial Park, Gardena

On November 19th, Senate District 35 and Assembly District 62 teamed up for Operation Gobble, our turkey giveaway and health resource fair.  Together, Assemblywoman Burke and I handed out over 1,000 turkeys to families in need. It was a joyous day filled with love and support.  Partnership overcomes strife. Our community is strongest when it bonds together. A Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is a prime example of the good we accomplish when that strength is put towards a noble cause. They say some things never change and this tradition, one I started when I was a local elected official and a state Assemblymember, will not end.

Hawthorne Teen Center's 10^th Anniversary

On Wednesday, December 19th, I was invited to join the Hawthorne Teen Center's 10th Anniversary Celebration. For ten years, the Hawthorne Teen Center has been providing valuable services and amazing opportunities for young people in our community. The Center has helped young people attain jobs, apply for college and scholarships, and earn income by tutoring young students.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters' Holiday Party

On December 21st, I spent a wonderful Friday night at Congresswoman Maxine Waters' Holiday Party. Each guest donated toys to help bring some joy to underserved children throughout the Los Angeles region. Unfortunately, the Congresswoman was unable to attend her own event because she was working to prevent a federal government shutdown in Washington, DC. Nonetheless, she blessed us with a motivating video message stating that despite any obstacles, whether large or small, we can overcome them together.

New Legislative Session: 2019-2020

February 22^nd is the last day new bills can be introduced for consideration by the Legislature this year. The Senate only allows each Senator a total of 40 bills over two years. If you have identified an issue that needs a state-wide solution please do not hesitate to contact either my Capitol office or one of my two District offices.

Capitol Office:
State Capitol
Room 2059
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: (916) 651-4035

District Office – Inglewood:
One West Manchester Blvd.
Suite 600
Inglewood, CA 90301
Tel: (310) 412-6120

District Office – San Pedro:
302 West 5^th St.
Suite 203
San Pedro, CA 90731
Tel: (310) 514-8573

You can follow and read more about my full legislative package on my website at: http://sd35.senate.ca.gov/legislation and track the status of any bill at: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/. 

My bills from 2018:

• (SB 1294) Establish the California Cannabis Equity Act of 2018
• (SB 978) Improve law enforcement accountability and policy transparency
• (SB 343) Provide income tax exclusions for relocated residents in Carson
• (SB 1135) Save low-income working families money on their electricity bills
• (SB 1412) Expand employment opportunities for rehabilitated individuals
• (SB 1232) Afford victims of crime more time to apply for compensation from the state
• (SB 1110) Relieve taxpayers from increased debt to public utilities
• (SB 1055) Build consumer financial security
• (SB 1250) Clarify residency requirements for elected officials
• (SB 1283) Support the growth of local craft breweries
• (SB 1361) Increase transparency between government agencies and financial institutions

My bills from 2017:

• (SB 620) Allow courts to strike an unnecessary firearm sentence enhancement
• (SB 182) Establish a single business license for ride-hailing service drivers
• (SB 189) Clarify workers compensation rules for owners of small businesses
• (SB 489) Extend the period of time allowed for hospitals and emergency physicians to bill for emergency services provided to injured workers
• (SB 490) Create option for licensed salon professionals to be paid by commission, as long as they are guaranteed at least twice the state minimum wage
• (SB 549) Require an electric or gas corporation to report when money designated for safety is not used as intended
• (SB 618) Clarify that utility planning must positively contribute to a diverse resource portfolio
• (SB 344) Extend the deadline for county boards of education to determine, on appeal, whether a pupil can attend a school within the district
• (SB 621) Guarantee that part-time private school teachers must paid by the same proportional salary standards as their full-time colleagues
• (SB 582) Grant the City of Inglewood an option to purchase advertising space at the Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park
• (SB 380) Closes a loophole by removing child support payments from the CalWORKs assistance unit calculations for needy children