Senator Josh Newman

Excited and honored to have been appointed by @SenToniAtkins as Chair of the Senate Education Committee📚#CALeg sd29.senate.ca.gov/news/news/sena…

Did you know you can save time by renewing your passport online? It’s easy—just fill out the forms, upload a digital photo, and pay with a card. Right now, online renewal is available for routine renewals with no changes to your information. If you need to update any details, like a name change, you’ll still need to renew in person or by mail. Passport processing times remain the same, so be sure to give yourself enough time to renew before your trip! ✈️⛱ Get more information and start your renewal at bit.ly/HavePassportRe…

We've all been there - you don't stop at the sign quite long enough, and suddenly, you've got a ticket. Life happens, and dealing with traffic fines can be stressful. That's why the MyCitations program was created as part of a statewide initiative to make traffic courts more accessible. Now available in all 58 California counties, this online tool lets you apply for a fine reduction or extension, start a payment plan, or request community service. It's designed to provide some relief to those facing financial hardship, even if your ticket is past due. Learn more and see if you're eligible at MyCitations.courts.ca.gov #MyCitations @LASuperiorCourt @OCSuperiorCourt @SanBernCourt @CalCourts

📅Mark your calendar! This Wednesday, October 9, from 9am to 4pm, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen, in partnership with the California Secretary of State, is hosting an Apostille pop-up event in Orange County at the County Administration South Building in Santa Ana. An Apostille certifies the authenticity of your documents to use abroad, like birth certificates, marriage licenses, or power of attorney. Typically, you’d have to travel to Los Angeles or Sacramento, but on Wednesday, you can take care of it locally! This is a cash-free event, so make sure to bring a credit or debit card, check, or money order. The first 30 minutes of parking are free, so don’t miss this convenient opportunity! ocrecorder.com/page/apostille… #CALeg #OrangeCounty #CASOS #Apostille

Happy Birthday to @YosemiteNPS! 🌲🎉 The park, first protected by the state of California in 1864, became one of our first national parks in 1890. It remains one of the crown jewels of the @NatlParkService. Yosemite spans over 1,100 square miles and attracts visitors from all over the world to the iconic granite cliffs, the towering Sequoias, and roaring waterfalls. Did you know? Yosemite played a key role in inspiring the creation of the National Park Service itself, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes and the work of conservationists like John Muir. Yosemite has inspired generations of visitors to appreciate and protect our natural wonders and stands as a reminder of the importance of preserving our national treasures! #CALeg #Yosemite #NPS #NationalParkService

Exciting news for California students and parents – two of my education bills were signed by @CAgovernor Gavin Newsom over the weekend. SB 897 makes the District of Choice program permanent in the state. DOC allows students to transfer into participating districts without needing approval from their home district. This allows families more flexibility to choose the best educational path for their kids. SB 1244 expands dual enrollment opportunities by allowing local school districts to form new partnerships with community college districts outside of the local service area. This means more students can get an early start on their college journey, saving money and giving them a window to their future potential. These bills break down barriers and empower California families with more options for student success! #CALeg #education Read more here: bit.ly/ExpandedEducat…

The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 has been signed by @CAgovernor. SB 707 requires textile manufacturers to take responsibility for their products for the entire life of the textiles. That means that by 2030, all Californians will have access to free dropoff for clothing and household textiles, no matter the condition! Thank you to @CalPSC for sponsoring this important legislation that will help keep textiles out of our waste stream. I'm proud of all the work we've done to make California even more sustainable. #CALeg bit.ly/ResponsibleTex…

TUNE IN NOW 🏀⚽️🏅 senate.ca.gov/media-live-eve… The California Senate Education Committee is holding a special information hearing at SoFi Stadium, where the LA84 2024 California Play Equity Report will be presented. This groundbreaking report sheds light on crucial gaps in play equity across California youth. Former LA Laker and 5x NBA Champion Derek Fisher will provide the opening remarks. Did you know that two out of three California kids aren't meeting CDC physical activity guidelines? Tune in to learn more about what's being done to close these equity gaps and promote a healthier future for all California youth! WATCH LIVE HERE: senate.ca.gov/media-live-eve… #CALeg #PlayEquity

I was honored to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the WIC program on the steps of the Capitol this morning. Earlier this year, I introduced SR 59 to commemorate WIC’s five decades of service to California families. For 50 years, WIC has improved the health and well-being of millions. Each month, it supports nearly 1 million caregivers, infants, and children and directs over $70 million in healthy food purchases into local grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and military commissaries. 🍎🍊 A special congratulations to Fariha Chowdhury, the new Director of California WIC at the California Department of Public Health, and a heartfelt thank you to Samar McGregor, the Deputy Director of PHFE WIC Program, for the wonderful introduction and all the work you do to support our communities. PHFE WIC serves 180,000 people in LA, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties and is the largest local WIC agency in the U.S. Here's to another 50 years of success! 🎉

I'm pleased to recognize Carbon Canyon Coffee Co. as Senate District 29's Restaurant of the Month. Tucked in Brea's Olinda Village neighborhood near the Chino Hills border, Carbon Canyon Coffee Co. has been a community gathering since opening in 2021. With an eclectic vibe featuring vintage posters and motorsports memorabilia, it’s more than just a pit stop. Owner and Fullerton resident Sean Delshadi describes the shop as a "café that marries the love of coffee with a passion for motorsports and the great outdoors." Sean takes pride in the coffee shop's high-quality coffee and unique brewing methods. Recently, Carbon Canyon has also expanded their offerings with fun theme nights like Taco Tuesday and burger pop-ups, further building community connections. I extend my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to Sean and his team at Carbon Canyon Coffee Co. for their positive contributions to the local culinary scene! 📍150 Olinda Place, Brea 92823 #CALeg #Brea

The Airport Fire is continuing to burn, and while the better weather is helping slow the growth, the smoke will still impact us all. Keep your windows closed, monitor the daily air quality, and reduce your outdoor activities wherever possible. If you're looking to help, the @OCFireAuthority asks that you limit donations to water or sports drinks only—no food or other supplies. This helps firefighters on the fire lines without impacting other emergency operations. You can find the drop-off locations for donations and other air quality, fire tracking, and closure resources at bit.ly/AirportFireRes… #CALeg #AirportFire

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On September 11, 2001, our nation and our world were forever changed. Today, we remember the lives lost and honor the heroes who responded with bravery and selflessness. In the face of tragedy, we are reminded that love, unity, and service will always shine through the darkest of days.

⚠️EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING⚠️ Our area is under an Excessive Heat Warning starting this morning through Friday evening. Temperatures in Inland OC could easily hit 105º and could still be in the triple-digits this weekend. Stay out of the sun and in an air-conditioned room whenever possible, drink plenty of fluids, and check on your relatives and neighbors. If you need some place to escape the heat, cooling centers are open! You can get a full list at ocgov.com/cooling-centers Many are open into the evenings. Stay cool and stay safe. #CALeg @OCGovCA

The Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (SB 707) has passed the California Legislature! The groundbreaking bill establishes the country's first EPR Textile Recycling Program under @CalRecycle and will be a game-changer in the fight against textile waste. Did you know that Californians dispose of nearly 1.2 million metric tons of textiles every year? Fast fashion and throwaway culture have accelerated this problem, contributing to pollution and carbon emissions. SB 707 will help turn that around. Here's how: 🔄Extended Producer Responsibility: The program requires producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products and ensure textiles are managed sustainably. ♻️Recycling, Repair, and Reuse: SB 707 promotes recycling and reuse, designed to keep textiles out of landfills and repurpose them into new, usable products wherever possible. In fact, around 95% of textiles are reusable or recyclable. 🛍️Supporting Second-Hand: SB 707 also includes provisions to support second-hand markets and highlight the benefits of reuse and repair, reducing our reliance on new products. Beginning in 2030, all Californians will be able to drop off their used clothing and household textiles (in any condition!) at convenient collection sites across the state, making it easier than ever to recycle and repurpose old garments. I'm thankful for the support of stakeholders, including major brands, retailers, producers, manufacturers, local governments, and sanitation districts. A special thank you to California Product Stewardship Council (@CalPSC) for sponsoring the bill. I look forward to SB 707 being signed by the governor! #CALeg

Happy National Dog Day!🐶 Celebrating my three weird rescue Chihuahuas, Wally, Homer, and Simon. Each has their own unique personality, and they bring us endless joy and laughter. I consider them some of my best friends! #CALeg #NationalDogDay

This month, I’m proud to recognize @TacosLosCholos as Senate District 29’s “Restaurant of the Month.” Since opening their first location in 2019, Tacos Los Cholos has established itself as a staple of the North Orange County dining scene. Alongside traditional favorites like carne asada and al pastor tacos, Tacos Los Cholos has become best known for their unique premium taco meats, like ribeye and filet mignon. This innovative twist on tacos, coupled with their traditional al carbon cooking style, has earned Tacos Los Cholos widespread acclaim. Owner and Anaheim native Josue Maldonado said this taco restaurant, which originally started as a pop-up in front of his home, has been a “dream come true” for him and his partners. Tacos Los Cholos currently has three locations, with a fourth in the works. The taqueria has been awarded numerous accolades, including “Best SoCal Taco” in 2023. I appreciate Josue and his partners for their contributions to Senate District 29’s dining scene, and I’m honored to recognize the restaurant for its significant positive impact on the community. 📍 821 S. State College Blvd. | Anaheim, CA 92806 📍 1653 W Orangethorpe Ave | Fullerton, CA 92833

I’m proud to report that our ongoing efforts, like Senate Joint Resolution 13, have helped secure much-needed federal reimbursement for Tustin following last year's devastating fire at the Navy North Hangar. SJR 13 received overwhelming support in both the Senate and Assembly and is a testament to the state's commitment to the people of Tustin. This support has been crucial in easing the financial strain on the City of Tustin, which faced costs exceeding their entire annual budget. Last week, I joined Mayor Austin Lumbard and Mayor Pro Tem Ryan Gallagher at the site to see the progress firsthand and to reinforce the need for continued federal support. I’m grateful for the Navy’s active engagement and for the dedicated efforts of local leaders. There’s still work ahead, and I’m committed to continuing to work with local and federal leaders and seeing it through. #CALeg #Tustin

Last Thursday, I joined La Habra city officials and community members to break ground on long-awaited repairs to the sinkhole that formed at the Coyote Village Condo complex in 2019. I'm especially proud to have secured an $8.5 million grant to make critical repairs to the property and our stormwater system. This is a significant step forward for the Coyote Village community and a testament to the determination and collaboration of everyone involved. Thank you to all who worked hard to get us to this point and the teams that will do the work, especially Dave Sorem from Mike Bubalo Construction, Jesse Segura and Adrian Esparza from LiUNA Local 652, and their teams. Work is expected to be completed by the first of the year!

Happy 80th Birthday, Smokey Bear! 🎉🐻 Smokey has been a beloved symbol of wildfire prevention since 1944. He was originally born from a collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council. He quickly became a national symbol, reminding us that "Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires." Smokey is a black bear who weighs over 300 pounds and loves eating his favorite foods, like ants, berries, and even honey. Although his relatives hibernate in the winter, Smokey stays busy year-round, keeping our forest safe. Help Smokey Bear keep our forests and wildlands safe - he's counting on all of us! You can find Smokey's address if your kids want to send him a letter, plus get more information about preventing wildfires at smokeybear.com 🐻🌲

Today is National Purple Heart Day, a day to honor the brave men and women of our armed forces who were wounded or made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The Purple Heart medal, originally established by General George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, was revived in 1932 to recognize the valor and dedication of those who had been wounded or killed in action. It symbolizes the courage and resilience of our service members and reminds us of the sacrifices made to protect our freedoms and is our nation's oldest military medal. Today is an opportunity to reflect on the stories of bravery behind each medal and express our deep gratitude for those who have served and continue to serve with honor and distinction.