Huffington Post
By Alexander C. Kaufman
Blessed with scenic Pacific coast drives and cursed with smothering smog and drought-fueled wildfires, California was primed to lead the transition away from the internal combustion engine. Nearly half of the electric vehicles sold in the United States each year are sold in the Golden State.
Law360: S.B. 771, which passed the committee with a 5-2 vote Thursday, would exempt plug-in hybrid or zero-emission vehicles designated under the state's Clean Cars 4 All program and sold to individuals who have had an application approved under the program. If enacted, the bill would take effect after Jan. 1, 2022. The bill was introduced Feb. 19 by Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo.
InMenlo: With a drought emergency declared in 41 of our 58 counties, 2021 is looking to be a very dry year. What are we doing about it? What should we be doing about it?Senator Josh Becker, D-Peninsula, convenes a panel of experts for a free livestream talk from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 27: Water, Water, Nowhere! – Innovation, Resiliency & the Drought.
San Mateo Daily Journal: Local officials largely appreciated a proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom to ramp up investment in the state school system, though some identified room for improvement in the spending plan. For his part, State Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, acknowledged Newsom’s vision to spend more on the state school system. “This plan will help our families, our small businesses, the unhoused; invest in our kids, especially their growth and education; and address critical elements of our lives and livelihoods in the Golden State,” he said.
Palo Alto Online / Palo Alto Weekly
By Staff
In the latest Around Town column, news about groups receiving recognition from a state senator for their work in assisting locals during the COVID-19 pandemic and Palo Alto High student publications that stood out in a national journalism contest.
Sierra Sun Times: In an effort to drive broader adoption of zero- and low-emission vehicles, disadvantaged Californians would get a state sales tax break when replacing an older vehicle with an electric or hybrid car, under legislation by Senator Josh Becker that was approved by a key Senate Committee.
The LA Sentinel: Recently, in some states, most notoriously Georgia and Florida, lawmakers have taken steps to restrict voting access and rights for many Americans. But in California, policymakers and legislators are doing the opposite, making proposals to simplify the voting process and expand access to the polls.
San Mateo Daily Journal: The California Senate unanimously passed legislation authored by state Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, Monday, May 3, to provide opportunities for training paired with employment for veterans, the unhoused, people exiting the justice system, and other vulnerable jobseekers who are often shut out of the workforce.