This month, the State Assembly passed our proposed 2025-26 budget - and in the face of a tough budget year, I'm proud to share that we've secured major victories that reflect our community's values, protecting what matters most without raising taxes on individuals, families, or small businesses.
We fought for and won funding to keep healthcare affordable, protect services for seniors and people with disabilities, support youth mental health, and ensure crime victim services remain intact. We invested in affordable housing and home ownership, wildfire protection, and protected public education, including CSUN and College of the Canyons. And we made sure big banks, not working people, are contributing their fair share to help close the gap.
In addition to this people-centered budget, we've advanced a strong package of legislation focused on the challenges we hear about every day - making life more affordable, strengthening public safety, protecting consumers, supporting veterans and seniors, and responding to the ongoing public health crisis at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. This is not the end of the line for us though; proposed federal cuts could further threaten healthcare, social security and Medicare along with education and VA benefits. We will continue to fight for our community every step of the way.
Despite holding the line for our community in our state budget, I know people need more relief on skyrocketing costs and ensuring everyone in our community is safe. Take a look at our legislative work at the Capitol, which is tied directly to the needs of our community:
Making Life More Affordable
- Ratepayer Relief Act (AB 1020): Ensures utility companies pass public savings on to customers. *
- Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (ACA 5): Provides additional tax exemptions to veterans to help access to housing relief.
- Pay it Forward (AB 1241): Establishes tuition support for students facing financial hardship (two-year bill).
- Senior Fraud Reimbursement Act (AB 909): Protects seniors from scams by requiring banks to prevent and reimburse fraud (two-year bill).
- Patient Debt Prevention Act (AB 1312): Ensures hospitals pre-screen patients for financial assistance before billing. *
- Military Pension Tax Exemption - AB 53 (Coauthor): Makes up to $20,000 in military pension pay tax-free! *
Investing in Public Safety
- Law Enforcement Pension Tax Exemption (AB 814): Offers retired peace officers state income tax relief (held in committee).
- Victim and Witness Protection Act (AB 535): Strengthens protections for court witnesses who are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and abuse. *
- Small Business Retail Theft Grant Program (AB 949): Helps businesses pay for security upgrades. *
- Justin Kropp Safety Act (AB 365): Requires AEDs at high- and low-voltage worksites to prevent death by electrocution. *
Relief for Chiquita Canyon Landfill Impacted Communities
- Chiquita Canyon Tax Relief Act (AB 27): Ensures aid to landfill-impacted residents isn't taxed or counted against benefits.*
- Landfill Fire Safety Act (AB 28): Requires early warnings and state oversight to prevent public health disasters like the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. *
Supporting Veterans and Military Families
- Veterans Education Assistance Act (AB 1509): Strengthens oversight of programs using G.I. Bill benefits. *
Protecting Consumers
- Timely Care Act (AB 539): Extends insurance approvals for medical treatment from 60 days to one year. *
- Click-to-Cancel 2.0 (AB 656): Requires platforms to let users easily delete their accounts and take their data with them. *
Housing Solutions, Planning, and Wildlife Recovery
- Expediting State Housing Permits (AB 301): Cuts red tape by holding state agencies to timely housing permit reviews. *
- Foster Youth Housing Stability (AB 534): Makes it easier for service providers to build housing for youth exiting foster care. *
- Fire Victim Mortgage Forbearance (AB 238) (Coauthor): Provides relief for families recovering from wildfires.
- Roads to Resilience Act (AB 1132): Improves CalTrans emergency planning to protect communities during floods, fires, and disasters.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
- Health Coverage Waiting Period Transparency (AB 1418): Tracks and reports delays in employer-sponsored insurance. *
- Reproductive Healthcare Access and Information Act (AB 1500): Expands and improves abortion.ca.gov to counter misinformation and improve public access.
* passed assembly floor
As we move forward in the legislative year, I remain committed to advancing legislation that reflects the values and priorities of our community, and to making sure your voice continues to guide the work we do.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of representing you. I look forward to the continued journey ahead and the positive impact we can make together.
Pilar Schiavo
Assemblywoman, 40th District
P.S. Don't miss our office's Job and Career Fair on Saturday, June 21 from 11 a.m - 7 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club in Newhall! Learn more and RSVP here.