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Monthly Newsletter
April, 2026 |
April has been a busy and productive month, with important work underway both in Sacramento and throughout our communities. As the legislative session moves forward, bills are advancing through the committee process and key conversations are shaping the policies that will impact families across our district. At the same time, it has been a pleasure to be out in the community, connecting with residents, celebrating local achievements, and continuing to listen and learn from those we serve. In this edition, you'll find updates on our legislative priorities, community highlights, and the ongoing work to strengthen our region. I'd love to share some of this month's highlights with you!
In this Newsletter:
| Chair of the Assembly Education Committee |
I'm honored to share that I've been appointed by Speaker Robert Rivas to serve as Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. This committee is responsible for overseeing TK–12 education policy for California's six million public school students, the largest public school system in the nation.
At a time when students, educators, and families are navigating increasingly complex challenges, I take this responsibility very seriously. My approach to this work is shaped by my experiences as a research scientist, a former school board trustee, and as a parent of three children in California's public schools. I've seen firsthand how decisions made in Sacramento impact classrooms, and I'm committed to ensuring those decisions are thoughtful, practical, and grounded in real-world outcomes.
As Chair, my focus will be on strengthening our educator workforce, improving alignment and accountability across programs, and removing barriers that make it harder for schools to serve students effectively. I believe we must approach education policy with rigor, humility, and a clear focus on what actually works for students.
I'm grateful for the trust placed in me to take on this role and look forward to continuing the work of supporting students, families, and educators across California.
At this stage of the legislative session, bills are being heard in their respective policy committees in the Assembly, where they receive their first in-depth review. Each bill is assigned based on its subject matter, such as the Public Safety Committee or Education Committee, where Assemblymembers evaluate proposals, hear testimony, and determine whether they should move forward. This committee process is a critical step in shaping legislation before it advances further.
For example, AB 1959, a bill I introduced to close a dangerous legal loophole in our criminal justice system, was recently heard in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The bill responds to a case in which an individual convicted of a deadly school shooting was able to seek resentencing in juvenile court decades later, despite being denied parole and deemed a risk to public safety. AB 1959 ensures that individuals who commit serious violent crimes cannot exploit this gap in the law and bypass the intent of sentencing.
If a bill passes out of its Assembly policy committee(s), it may then move to the Assembly Appropriations Committee if it has fiscal impacts, before heading to the Assembly Floor for a full vote.
Bills must move out of all committees by May 15.
| A Special Legislative Update: Press Conference |
Closing the Achievement Gap
I joined education leaders, advocates, and partners at the Capitol to highlight an issue that is both urgent and deeply important: improving student outcomes and closing achievement gaps across California. While our state is home to incredible schools and dedicated educators, too many students, across income levels, race and ethnicity, language background, and foster status, are still being left behind. This is something I've seen throughout my career, as a parent, a school board member, and now as Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. Despite years of effort, progress has been uneven, and it's clear that without better alignment in how we support schools, we will continue to fall short of what our students need and deserve.
That's why I'm proud to be leading efforts to bring greater coordination, accountability, and focus to our education system. Through AB 2225 and a broader legislative package, we are working to align goals, funding, and oversight to create a clear, statewide strategy for closing achievement gaps. This work brings together educators, families, researchers, and policymakers to set measurable goals and ensure we are truly supporting student success. No single entity can solve this alone, but together, we can build a system that is designed for every student to succeed, no matter their background or where they live.
The Coast News Group: San Marcos Celebrates $5 million in Parks Funding from Asm. Dr. Patel
Politico: Q&A: Meet Darshana Patel, the new Assembly Education Chair
CalMatters: California lawmakers weigh statewide plan to be accountable for closing student achievement gaps
ACR 135: School Breakfast Week
On March 5, I introduced ACR 135, declaring March 2-6, 2026 as School Breakfast Week in honor of No Kids Hungry awarding over $300,000 in new grants to support child nutrition across California. Starting the school day with a healthy breakfast ensures California students begin the day energized and ready to learn. School Breakfast Week highlights the direct connection between nutrition and academic success. As federal nutrition programs face increased uncertainty, California must continue leading the way to protect and expand access to school meals so every student has the opportunity to thrive.
San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council Lobby Day
San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council recently had their lobby day up in Sacramento where they came to discuss their legislative priorities for the year! Thank you for taking the time to advocate on behalf of the countless workers across the state.
Holi Happy Hour
I was excited to co-host a Holi Happy Hour for legislative staff with Assemblymember Ash Kalra! It was wonderful connecting with colleagues and celebrating the importance of keeping our work culturally relevant and inclusive. Looking forward to continuing these conversations and building stronger community within the legislature. 💙
| AD76 Distinguished Women of the Year |
Meg Storer
2026 AD76 Distinguished Woman of the Year
Meg Storer is an incredible leader whose more than 20 years at 211 San Diego have helped transform how people in our region access critical services. As one of the organization's earliest team members, she played a key role in building it from the ground up and helped secure the 211 dialing code, which now connects hundreds of thousands of residents to support every year.
In her role as Chief of Staff, Meg leads major initiatives and helps strengthen partnerships that support disaster response efforts, military families, and vulnerable communities. She's widely respected across the nonprofit sector, with recognition from the San Diego Business Journal and San Diego Metro Magazine for her leadership and impact.
Her dedication to service, mentorship, and community collaboration makes her truly deserving of recognition as the 76th Assembly District Distinguished Woman of the Year. Congratulations, Meg!
Honoring our 2026 Nominees
at the Rancho Santa Fe Community Center
Congratulations to our 2026 honorees including (from left to right):
Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel is joined with the honorees from left to right: Julie Gattenio, Archana Sirochi, Vivienne Fullerton, Seyedehmaryam Haerihendi, Natalie Gali-Saulsberry, Jocelyn Lomahan, Mara McLeod, and Dawn Doering.
Not Pictured: Kathie Moehlig, Megha Patel, and Soudabeh Memarzadeh.
View the event highlight video here.
San Diego Meals on Wheels Champions Week
I was proud to join Meals on Wheels San Diego during their annual Champions Week to help deliver meals to seniors in Rancho Peñasquitos and Torrey Highlands.
It was truly a joy to connect with members of our community and spend time with those who often need support the most. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of the importance of service, compassion, and staying connected with our neighbors.
Thank you to the incredible team and volunteers who make this work possible every day.🥗 🍜
Escondido YMCA - A Campus for Community Well-Being Building Dedication
It is an honor to commemorate this important milestone for the Escondido YMCA — a Campus for Community Well-Being. By bringing together education, healthcare, and community programming in one place, this campus creates opportunities for families to access services that support their well-being and long-term success. When institutions work together like this, the impact goes far beyond any one program or organization.
Rancho Bernardo: Hats Off to Volunteers
Thank you Marty Judge and Scott Lawn for organizing another amazing Rancho Bernardo Hats off to Volunteers celebration! Volunteers are a strong pillar of our neighborhoods, they are a powerful reminder that community is built through dedication, selflessness, partnership, and a shared commitment to serving our neighbors. Thank you to all of the volunteers that make our community stronger, more compassionate, and make our neighborhoods a wonderful place to call home. 🏡 💙
Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank North County Warehouse Open House
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank North County Warehouse is finally open to the community! Thank you for inviting me to this incredible milestone in your continued commitment to fight hunger in our region. The San Diego Food Bank distributed approximately 554,000 meals in Fiscal Year 2024-25 to AD76 constituents, solely with their Kearny Mesa facility.
Now with this brand new facility, including a large freezer space, a client choice pantry, alongside the Diaper Bank and Foods 4 Kids Backpack program the Food Bank is bringing a critical support system closer to our families in need. I am grateful for their ongoing efforts to ensure our community experiences dignity and cultural relevance when accessing support for food insecurity.
Cub Scouts Citizenship Adventure Badge
Congratulations to these two outstanding Cub Scouts who are earning their citizenship adventure badge! It was truly inspiring to see their curiosity and commitment to civic engagement, as well as their enthusiasm for learning about the legislative process. 🐻
| 2026 Youth and Family Fair |
Join me for the 2026 Youth & Family Fair on June 20!
I'm proud to announce that I am hosting a free Youth & Family Festival at the Escondido YMCA in partnership with the Escondido YMCA, A Campus for Community Wellbeing. The event will feature family-friendly activities, community resources, and aimed at supporting youth and families across the region. We will also feature bike safety obstacle courses with free children's helmets, car seat safety inspections, and resource tables on affordability, education, public safety, and local youth programs. See you there!
| Helpful State Resource: |
| Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) |
Take Back Your Data with DROP
Tired of unwanted spam calls, texts, and suspicious emails?
Data brokers collect and sell personal info, which can be used to steal your identity for fraud. Thanks to a new law passed by the Legislature, data brokers are now REQUIRED by law to begin deleting data on August 1, if you request it.
Visit asmdc.org/jx-drop to learn more and sign up for DROP. DROP is operated by the California Privacy Protection Agency.
| AD76 Internship Program: |
| Summer Intern Application Period Now Open |
Apply to be a Summer Intern!
The California State Assembly District Office Internship Program offers high school and college students a unique opportunity to participate in and experience the work of a state Assembly office. The program exposes students to district office operations and the activities of a legislator's work. These experiences include working with constituents, conducting community outreach efforts, assisting community-based organizations, organizing civic events and projects, database development and upkeep, staffing the office, and other activities.
Internships are available to those who are currently enrolled in high school or college. Depending on their high school or college programs, our office is willing to coordinate with a student's education institution for school credit for participating as an intern.
Many legislators and senior policy staff began their careers by interning in a district office. It is an incredible way to gain a true understanding of California's democratic process, as well as an excellent opportunity to make important contacts while serving the community.
Interns will gain valuable education and work experience by fully participating in agreed-upon hours of work. All internship work is voluntary and students will not receive any monetary compensation. Unpaid internships are available to all part-time or full time students. For college Students: Depending on their high school or college programs, students may also receive different types of school credits for participating as an intern.
If you are interested in participating in the 76th Assembly District Office Internship Program, simply complete the online application below.
As space becomes available, qualified candidates will be invited for an interview. Thank you for your interest in this very unique opportunity to serve your community.
Click below to apply to be a Summer Intern!
| Keep Up With My Office and Work On Social Media! |
My office is always working hard for the people of Assembly District 76! I encourage you to join us online to be the first to know how we are serving you.
Click here to follow on Instagram!
Click here to follow on Facebook!
Click here to follow on Bluesky!
My Office Can Help with State Agencies!
Our office is open and serving constituents in a number of ways. You can contact me and my staff by visiting my website. My office is here to help! We are proud to be open during hours that serve working people Monday through Friday.
What can we do for you? My office's job is to connect you with resources and help with state agencies. Reach out and my staff will be happy to assist you!
Yours 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.
