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COVID-19 Tele-Town Hall - "T3" Strategy in San Diego County

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Join me for another Tele-Town Hall on Thursday, August 6 from 4-5pm! This time, we’ll be talking about San Diego County’s T3 Strategy of Test, Trace, and Treat for combating the spread of COVID-19 and what it is you need to know about what strategies are being used to contain the virus at this point in the pandemic.

I’ll be joined by Nick Macchione, the director and architect of the San Diego County’s “T3” strategy, and San Diego County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Paul Gothold.

You’ll get answers to some of your questions about how experts in epidemiology, public health, and intensive care are working to bring the virus under control and get us off the state’s watch list. You’ll also here about how the county and the state are interacting to make complicated back-to-school decisions that prioritize safety for all while striving to meet the needs of our students.

Boerner Horvath’s Economic Recovery Bill to Streamline State Work Sharing Program Passes Senate Labor Committee

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

SACRAMENTO — A bill authored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Encinitas) to streamline the application process for the state’s Work Share Program administered by the Employment Development Department (EDD), passed the Senate Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee on a 4-1 vote.

Work-sharing, or short-time compensation, gives employers the option of reducing employee hours during an economic downturn to avoid layoffs by providing the employee prorated unemployment benefit payments to replace the loss in wages. Despite the many benefits the program provides for employers and employees, this state program is currently underutilized because the application process can be administratively burdensome and the employers may not even be aware the program exists.

"As our economy opens and closes to help manage the spread of the coronavirus, participating in the work share program is a better alternative to layoffs,” said Assemblymember Boerner Horvath. “AB 1731 will help employers retain trained workers, employees on reduced hours will keep their benefits, and the state will maximize federal dollars already allocated to fund the program by streamlining an application process that incentivizes employers' participation in the program. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Boerner Horvath’s Bill to Protect San Onofre State Beach Passes Senate Natural Resources Committee

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath's bill to enshrine in state law a settlement agreement protecting San Onofre State Beach from infrastructure development passed the Senate Natural Resources and Water committee on a 6-1 vote.

AB 1426 prohibits any transportation agency or government entity from authorizing, funding, or constructing any new infrastructure that encroaches on the land currently protected by a combination of San Onofre State Beach and the Richard H. and Donna O’Neill Conservancy.

The main threat to the park in recent years has come from a proposal put forth to build a multi-lane extension from the Foothill south toll road to Highway 5. The project would have bisected the protected coastal land and tainted the watershed for the creek flowing into the ocean at the world-renowned surf spot, Trestles Beach. A settlement reached in 2016 between the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), the Save San Onofre Coalition, and the State has prevented road construction to date, but lawsuits filed since the settlement have threatened to undermine the agreement.

“For years now, the Coalition’s efforts have successfully prevented damage to this last-of-its-kind coastal watershed habitat while ensuring access for more than 2.5 million annual visitors to enjoy this iconic beach and upland areas.” said Assemblymember Boerner Horvath. “AB 1426 makes certain the settlement agreement is implemented as intended and protects one of the five most visited parks in the whole system for future generations of campers, birders, hikers, fishermen, and surfers.”

Boerner Horvath’s Bill to Help Victims of Sexual Assault Approved in Senate Public Safety Committee

Friday, July 31, 2020

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath’s bill establishing an amnesty clause to encourage victims and witnesses of sexual assault to testify in court once again received bipartisan support with a 7-0 vote in the Senate Public Safety Committee.

AB 1927 would provide immunity for victims and witnesses of sexual assault from the consequences of illegal alcohol or drug use occurring at the time of their alleged assault. Higher education institutions nationwide, including the University of California, have already implemented such amnesty clauses on their campuses. Under current law, victims must go through a process that requires them to be compelled to testify in court before it can be granted. This process unnecessarily increases trauma to the victim by requiring them to appear in front of a judge for offenses unrelated to the sexual assault.

“We all know too well that sexual assault is the most underreported violent crime in America. Many victims and survivors do not come forward for fear of retaliation, even fear of being blamed for the assault,” said Assemblymember Boerner Horvath. “This bill will empower them to report the abuse without fear of prosecution. Today’s vote brings us closer to extending the same amnesty already provided on college campuses to sexual assault victims and witnesses throughout California."

Tele-Town Hall - Insurance & Small Business Resources

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Join me for my next Tele-Town Hall on Thursday, July 30 from 4-5pm! This time, we’ll be talking about resources available to small businesses during the pandemic and insurance-related issues. I’ll be joined by our State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara along with experts from the U.S. Small Business Administration and Small Business Majority. Our discussion will delve into how businesses can access relief and strategies for navigating the difficulties of this pandemic economy. I am pleased to be joined by:

Wildfire Preparedness Tele-Town Hall

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Join me for my next Tele-Town Hall this Thursday, July 9 from 4-5pm! This time, we’ll be talking about the dangers of fire season in North County and what you can do to make sure you household is prepared. I’ll be joined by some experts in fire safety and emergency response as well as a representative from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). We’ll be dealing with the issue of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), evacuation plans for the region, and the steps you can take to make sure you’re ready for an emergency.

Tele-Town Hall: Workforce Training in a COVID-19 Economy

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Join me on Thursday, June 25th from 4-5pm for a Tele-Town about workforce training & certification programs and their increasingly important role in an adaptive COVID-19 economy. I’ll be hosting a discussion with two local professionals who will go in depth on the services, programs, and various resources available to individuals or business owners who are looking to retrain their employees and need assistance in order to do so.

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