Press Releases

Assemblymember Dr. Patel Secures $1.5M for Wildfire Prevention in San Diego Communities

SAN DIEGO — As California's fire season lengthens and intensifies, Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel has delivered $1.5 million in state funding to proactively protect homes, schools, and critical infrastructure in the northern parts of the City of San Diego from wildfires.

The investment will clear 40 acres of strategic high-risk brush near Lake Hodges Dam and San Pasqual Valley, and expand the...

Assemblymember Dr. Patel Distributes Free Thanksgiving Meals to 1,000 Families, Secures Funds for 22,000 Additional Thanksgiving Meals

San Diego County – Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D–San Diego) distributed complete Thanksgiving meals to 1,000 families across Assembly District 76 on Saturday at Los Peñasquitos Elementary School. After raising more than $43,000 through community donations and partnering with the San Diego Food Bank, Assemblymember Patel provided turkeys, sides, and fresh vegetables to 1,000 families. She...

Assemblymember Dr. Patel Honors Local Veterans and Highlights Tax Relief for Retired Service Members

ESCONDIDO, CA — On Veterans Day, Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel emphasizes the importance of pairing recognition with results. At a Veterans Day ceremony at American Legion Post 149 in Escondido, Patel honored six veterans whose leadership continues beyond the uniform. And, earlier this year, she was able to secure a tax exemption for retired veterans through legislation she co-led.


Assemblymemb...

On National Fire Prevention Week, Governor Newsom Signs Patel’s Bill Protecting Firefighters from Toxic Battery Fires

SACRAMENTO — Govern Newsom has signed AB 841 by Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County). This bill addresses the increasing exposure to toxic chemicals that firefighters face during lithium-ion battery fires by convening a working group to recommend improved personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination procedures.

This week is National Fire Prevention Week, with a theme of...

Bill Co-Authored by Patel Cuts Gas Prices by 20 Cents per Gallon

SACRAMENTO — California drivers can begin saving an estimated 20 cents per gallon at the pump immediately, thanks to a bipartisan bill co-authored by Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D–San Diego County) that Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law yesterday.

AB 30 (Alvarez) authorizes the sale of E15 fuel—a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol—throughout California. The bill includes an urgency...

Assemblymember Patel’s Bill Protecting Firefighters from Toxic Battery Fires Goes to the Governor

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel celebrates the successful passage of AB 841 through the California Legislature. This bill addresses the increasing exposure to toxic chemicals that firefighters face during lithium-ion battery fires by convening a working group to recommend improved personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination procedures.

As California leads the nation in...

Patel Bill to Remove Barriers for Families in Crisis Heads to Governor

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County) celebrates the Legislature's passage of AB 1074, which eliminates bureaucratic barriers that prevent low-income parents from accessing financial support while working to reunify with children in foster care. The bill now heads to Governor Newsom's desk with bipartisan support. 

The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to...

Patel Bill to Tackle Special Education Teacher Shortage Heads to Governor

SACRAMENTO —Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego County) celebrates the passage of AB 1119 from the legislature as it moves on to the Governor for his signature. AB 1119 addresses California’s teacher shortage by directing the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to develop regulations to create more efficient routes to dual credentialing for teacher candidates and existing teachers...

Palomar and the Politics of Care: Two Approaches to Representation

            When someone you love ends up in the ER, healthcare isn't political, it’s personal. It’s the child who falls off a bike, the expectant mother going into labor sooner than expected, the spouse whose chest tightens without warning. In those moments—even with insurance, even with a nearby hospital—we are vulnerable. Proposed federal cuts to healthcare for millions of Californians would...

Assemblymember Dr. Patel Co-Hosts Landmark Hearing on Affordability and Economic Pressures in San Diego County

San Marcos, CA — As rising costs continue to strain working families across California, Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel co-hosts the first-of-its-kind informational hearing in San Diego County on affordability, economic pressure, and community-driven solutions. 

Held at California State University, San Marcos, the hearing is part of the California Pocketbook Tour and convened by the Assembly...

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