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Community to Capitol District News
March, 2025 |
Hello Assembly District 76 and Happy Women’s History Month. I’m your representative Dr. Darshana Patel and we have many exciting things happening this month throughout District 76 including a webinar covering how you can protect yourself in the event of catastrophic fire loss, our Distinguished Woman of the Year Honoree announcement, and an update on important legislation I’m working on.
Assembly District 76 includes 471,668 people including the cities of Escondido, San Marcos, and portions of northern San Diego, as well as the unincorporated areas of Del Dios, Elfin Forest, Fairbanks Ranch, Harmony Grove, Lake San Marcos, and Rancho Santa Fe.
The Kumeyaay (also known as Diegueño or Mission Indians), Luiseño, Cupeño, and Cahuilla are the four primary tribal groups indigenous to the area. With 18 reservations covering approximately 198 square miles, San Diego County hosts the largest number of Indian reservations in the United States.
Map of Southern California displaying San Diego County with Assembly District 76 boundaries highlighted
It is important to me that I work on legislation that matters to you. Do you have an idea for a bill? You can submit that idea here. Earlier this year, I introduced AB 237 to close a loophole in existing law that will protect our families and communities. This bill makes it a crime to threaten harm to a daycare, school, university, workplace, house of worship, medical facility, or public venue with reckless disregard for safety.
As the only Assemblymember to have both requested and been granted membership in all three Education Committees, I am proud to have introduced two new education-related bills. AB 402 enables more students to attend college with Cal Grant money. AB 279 updates school library standards so they can remain advanced centers of learning and inspiration in our public schools.
I have lent my support as a co-author to numerous resolutions promoting awareness of important topics including: Maternal Health Awareness Day, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, Black History Month, Desert Ecosystems, National School Counseling Week, Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Recently, the Assembly honored our teachers of the year. I was thrilled to meet them during their Sacramento visit.
Dr. Darshana Patel with Teacher of the Year honorees on the Assembly floor
To raise awareness of the impact of heart disease in women, I joined the Legislative Women's Caucus on National Wear Red Day. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women. I wore red in solidarity with my colleagues to bring awareness to the support women need to combat heart disease.
Legislative Women's Caucus members wearing red on the Assembly floor
I spoke in support of Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins’ Assembly Concurrent Resolution designating January 23, 2025 as Maternal Health Awareness Day. More than 700 women die each year as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications. Maternal mortality rates are higher for women of color. I proudly stood with my San Diego colleague to draw attention to the efforts that have improved maternal health in California and spotlight the continued work that needs to be done.
Dr. Darshana Patel speaking on the Assembly floor
| Local Women Making History |
The National Women’s History Alliance established March as National Women’s History Month to recognize and uplift the contributions of women to our nation’s history. A Congressional resolution first established Women’s History Week in 1981. Six years later, Congress expanded the recognition and the month of March became National Women’s History Month.
Assembly District 76 is fortunate to have so many women leaders making history and is proud to announce Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey as the 2025 Assembly District 76 Distinguished Woman of the Year Honoree. Dr. Rivera-Lacey is the President and Superintendent of Palomar College, one of California’s largest single-community college districts. She is dedicated to social justice and student access. Her accomplishments include Wheelhouse Institute on Leadership, National Community College Hispanic Council, Aspen Institute Rising Presidents Fellowships, and a second-degree black belt in karate.
Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey
Dr. Rivera-Lacey will be recognized on the Assembly Floor along with Distinguished Women from all over California in Sacramento March 10th.
I was honored to have California State Treasurer Fiona Ma administer the Oath of Office at my Community Swearing-In Ceremony. It was a day surrounded by friends, neighbors, and loved ones full of celebration and joy.
Dr. Darshana Patel receiving the Oath of Office from State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Dr. Darshana Patel delivering an address at the Community Swearing-In Ceremony
I loved the chance to catch up with the Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County and California Women's List at their Board retreat in San Diego. They asked great questions and were very interested in my vision for education and the environment.
Dr. Darshana Patel with Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County,
and California Women's List
I am grateful to have been honored by the San Diego organization Run Women Run at their event, Honoring our Leaders. Run Women Run is a nonpartisan organization that inspires, recruits, and trains qualified pro-choice women to seek elected and appointed office.
Dr. Darshana Patel at Run Women Run event "Honoring Our Leaders"
In the wake of the devastating wildfires impacting our neighbors to the North and fires in our own District, I have heard concerns from many constituents about protecting their families and property from catastrophe. Our office will be hosting a live webinar on March 3rd in collaboration with the California Department of Insurance. The broadcast will be available on my website for those who cannot join the live event. If you are interested in attending this informative event, please RSVP to asmdc.org/jx-events.
March 8th is International Women's Day
March 17th is St. Patrick's Day
Our office will be closed Monday, March 31st, for the Federal commemorative holiday recognizing American labor leader Cesar Chavez. Following service in the United States Navy, Cesar Estrada Chavez (1927-1993), along with Dolores Huerta (b. 1930), co-founded United Farm Workers of America (UFW) to address the poverty, exploitation, and hazardous working conditions encountered by migrant workers.
“The love for justice that is in us is not only the best part of our being, but it is also the most true to our nature.” – Cesar Chavez
Left to Right: Ross Pike, Field Representative, Emily Berry, Chief of Staff, Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel, Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, District Director, Gonzalo Rocha-Vasquez, Field Representative
Our office is open and serving constituents in a number of ways. You can contact us by completing the form on our website, calling, emailing, or stopping by our office. We are here to help! We are proud to be open during hours that serve working people 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.
What can we do for you? My office’s job is to connect you with resources and help solve problems. Here are some recent ways we have helped constituents:
- Recovered over $100,000 in owed unemployment benefits for constituents
- Facilitated a notary commission renewal through the Secretary of State
- Helped a foster child’s family correct a birth certificate
- Worked with the California Department of Justice to bring a local charity into compliance, enabling them to continue receiving grant funding
- Recognized local students for their character and academic accomplishments
- Awarded certificates of appreciation to local businesses and organizations for good work in the community
Please reach out to us!
In Service,
Dr. Darshana R. Patel
Assemblymember, District 76
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory and homelands of the Luiseño/Payómkawichum people. For more information please go to www.csusm.edu/cicsc.
