January 2025 Newsletter
As
the new legislative year kicks off, the work to address the issues that
matter to our communities continues. To that end, I am pleased to
report that I have championed and secured over $100 million in state
funding to address local community priorities and essential, core
services that keep our communities safe and healthy, including public
safety/emergency response, safer streets, flood prevention, clean water
reliability, youth health and wellness, and park improvements.
On
December 2, 2024, I was sworn in to serve my second term in the
California State Assembly. I am deeply honored and grateful for the
trust the voters in the 21st Assembly District have placed in me and I
am eager to continue working for the benefit of our communities.
As
I resume my service as Chair of Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and
Wildlife, I will continue to champion the need to protect, maintain and
enhance the unique places and spaces vital to Californians health and
well-being.
The
challenges and opportunities ahead require prudent management of the
state's budget, providing support to our communities responding to the
immediate impacts of climate change, and addressing the many ongoing
and emerging issues we face.
I
thank the voters of the 21st Assembly District for the opportunity to
represent you again in the next legislative session. I look forward to
seeing you in the community in the coming months.
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In The District
On
December 2, 2024, the members of the California State Legislature were
sworn into office for the 2025-26 legislative session. This event is
all the more remarkable and historic as women now occupy 59 of the
Legislature's 120 seats. Women's representation in the State
Legislature has increased to 49% from nearly 31% in 2020 and 25% in
2016. In 1980, just 9% of California state lawmakers were women.
On
October 11, 2024, I joined a panel of speakers to address the Chamber
San Mateo County's Leadership program class to discuss the legislative
process and serving in both local and state government. The
Leadership program is an academy for leaders at all levels and in all
organizations in San Mateo County designed to equip them with the
knowledge, tools and opportunities to evolve their skills to the next
level in service of their community.
On
September 25, 2024, I had the pleasure of participating in a panel
discussion hosted by the Peninsula Division of the League of California
Cities to speak about Proposition 4, that will enhance state and local
parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure
projects, fire protection, climate resilience, and flood protection
measures.
Legislative Update
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In The News
New California laws for 2025: A crackdown on bank fees, protections for workers and more
Another
new law, AB 2123 by Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo, bans
employers from requiring workers to use vacation time before taking
paid family leave. Previously, they could require employees to take up
to two weeks of earned but unused vacation before the employee could
take paid family leave to care for a sick family member or bond with a
new child.
Newsom signs law hoping to curb ‘ghost gun' production
Gov.
Gavin Newsom this week signed a bill into law that is meant to curb the
proliferation of untraceable firearms known as "ghost guns."
Newsom signs bill to ban ‘forever chemicals' in tampons, pads
Gov.
Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Monday that will ban the sale of
tampons and other menstrual products in California that contain certain
levels of potentially toxic chemicals.
New bill critical to unlocking advancement toward increased geothermal power generation
Authored
by Assemblywoman Diane Papan, D-San Mateo, AB 1359 clears a critical
logjam in local and statewide geothermal energy expansion by allowing
county planning departments like Permit Sonoma to conduct environmental
reviews of exploratory drilling projects.
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Winter in California
Even in California winter can be a challenging time, particularly in keeping a home warm due to high energy costs.
Help
is available to those in need through the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) designed to assist low-income households
that pay a high portion of their income to meet their energy needs.
There
are several portions of the program that help accomplish this goal
including one-time financial assistance to help balance an eligible
household's utility bill: the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)
provides assistance to low-income households that are in a crisis
situation relative to energy services, the Weatherization program which
can provide free energy efficiency upgrades to low-income households to
lower their monthly utility bills while also improving the health and
safety of the household's occupants, and Energy budget counseling.
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Until Next Time!
Sincerely,
Diane Papan
Assemblymember, 21st District
Riechel
Reports - Events
- City
of San Bruno CA