November in AD-76:
Community, Progress, and What's Ahead
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Monthly Newsletter November, 2026 |
__SALUTATION__
October was a busy month across Assembly District 76, with opportunities to connect directly with residents, local leaders, businesses, and community organizations. From public safety and consumer protection to education, health care, and our local economy, I spent the month focused on the issues that affect our communities every day.
Throughout the district, I hosted conversations with our tech and biotech community, brought residents together for Scam Stoppers and a Know Your Rights event, and joined community celebrations and local events. I also continued highlighting state investments coming back to our region to strengthen essential services and support organizations doing important work in San Diego County.
As we move into November, I'm looking forward to building on that work and continuing to deliver resources and results for the communities I represent. Thank you to everyone who joined us at an event, shared your perspective, or welcomed me into the community this past month. There is still plenty of work ahead, and I look forward to continuing it together.
What's in this Newsletter?
Bringing State Investments Home
This year, I secured $10.24 million in state funding to support organizations and projects serving communities across our district. These investments reflect a wide range of local priorities — from food security and emergency response to education, health care, and wildlife conservation.
Over the past several weeks, I've had the opportunity to visit many of these community partners and celebrate the work this funding will make possible. Investments include:
- $4.5 million for Feeding San Diego to strengthen food insecurity relief infrastructure
- $1.33 million for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank for facility and energy improvements
- $1.2 million for the City of San Marcos for a new fire engine
- $1 million for the CSUSM Cougar Pantry for infrastructure upgrades and expansion
- $1 million for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to upgrade and expand its Outdoor Learning Lab
- $710,000 for Meals on Wheels San Diego County for infrastructure and operational improvements
- $500,000 for Shatterproof to support substance use treatment resources
These investments are about more than numbers in the state budget. They mean stronger services, improved facilities, and additional resources for the organizations working every day to serve San Diego County.
As we prepare for the next legislative year, I'll continue working with local partners to identify community needs and advocate for state resources that make a tangible difference here at home.
AB 1959 Signed into Law
Last month, I joined San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and local education and public safety leaders to mark the signing of AB 1959, legislation I authored to close a loophole in California's resentencing laws.
AB 1959 was inspired by the 2001 shooting at Santana High School, where two students were killed and 13 others were injured. Decades later, the shooter was able to seek resentencing through juvenile court despite having originally been prosecuted and sentenced as an adult. The case exposed a gap in state law that could allow individuals convicted of serious crimes as minors to pursue resentencing without first allowing a court to determine whether their case belongs in juvenile or adult court.
AB 1959 addresses that gap by restoring judicial discretion and allowing a court to consider factors including rehabilitation, the circumstances of the offense, youthful-offender considerations, and public safety when determining the appropriate court for resentencing.
At our October press conference, we reflected on the lasting impact the Santana High School shooting has had on families and communities across San Diego County and the importance of ensuring our laws balance opportunities for rehabilitation with accountability and public safety.
With AB 1959 now signed into law, California has taken an important step toward ensuring serious cases receive the careful judicial review they deserve while maintaining appropriate protections within our juvenile justice system.
San Marcos Harvest Fest
I loved spending time at this year's San Marcos Harvest Fest and seeing so many familiar faces from across the community. From local businesses and vendors to families enjoying the fall festivities, the event was a wonderful reminder of the strong sense of community that makes San Marcos so special—even in the rain! ☔
I had the chance to walk through the festival, visit booths, and talk with residents about what's happening in their neighborhoods and what matters most to them. Events like Harvest Fest are always a great opportunity to connect outside of the Capitol and spend time with the people I'm proud to represent.
Thank you to the organizers, vendors, volunteers, and everyone who came out and helped make this year's Harvest Fest such a fun and welcoming celebration. 🎃🍂
Gather on Grand
Downtown Escondido was buzzing during this year's Gather on Grand! 🐝 I loved seeing Grand Avenue filled with local food, live entertainment, small businesses, and community organizations showcasing all that Escondido has to offer.
Events like Gather on Grand are also a great reminder of how important a vibrant downtown is to the community. Our local businesses and entrepreneurs create jobs, bring people together, and give Escondido its unique character. I enjoyed visiting with vendors, connecting with residents, and seeing so many people out supporting their neighbors.
Thank you to the organizers, local businesses, performers, and everyone who helped make Gather on Grand such a lively celebration of Escondido!
Annual Business Awards
San Diego's AAPI community continues to make an incredible impact across our district, and I was glad to spend an evening recognizing the people behind that work. From entrepreneurs building local businesses to community partners creating new opportunities, their leadership and contributions are helping shape San Diego's future.
The celebration also highlighted outstanding students receiving scholarships to support their educational journeys. Bringing together established leaders and the next generation was a wonderful reminder of what is possible when we invest in one another. Thank you to everyone who continues to strengthen our region through leadership, service, and a commitment to community.
Climate Action Day
I joined California Volunteers, California Service Corps members, local nonprofits, elected officials, and community volunteers at Los Peñasquitos Ranch House for San Diego's Community Climate Action Day. It was inspiring to see so many people come together around a shared commitment to protecting the place we call home.
The day kicked off service projects focused on strengthening our communities and protecting them from the impacts of climate change. Building a safer, greener, and more resilient San Diego takes all of us, and I'm grateful to everyone who dedicated their time to making a difference. 🌎🌳
Teen Led Town Hall
Some of the best conversations about our communities start with listening to the young people growing up in them. I joined teens from the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos for a town hall focused on the importance of "third spaces" — places where teens can gather, build relationships, and feel connected outside of home and school.
The teens led the conversation, sharing their own experiences and ideas directly with local leaders and decision-makers. Their perspectives are an important reminder that when we talk about creating stronger communities for young people, they need to be part of the conversation from the beginning.
I was proud to recognize Dana Groot as the San Diego County Farm Bureau's 2026 Farmer of the Year, honoring more than four decades of leadership and service to California agriculture.
From his roots in his family's nursery business to founding his own nursery and serving as President of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, Dana has dedicated his career to supporting the farmers and growers who sustain our region. His leadership and advocacy have helped strengthen San Diego County agriculture and ensure the voices of local producers are heard.
Congratulations, Dana, on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your decades of commitment to our agricultural community!
San Diego's technology and biotechnology sectors are a major part of our regional economy, supporting high-skilled jobs, groundbreaking research, and new tools that are changing everything from health care to how businesses operate.
This past month, I convened local leaders from the tech and biotech industries for a roundtable discussion on what they are seeing on the ground and how state policy can better support continued innovation and growth. We discussed challenges around workforce development, access to capital, regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure, and the cost of doing business in California, as well as opportunities to strengthen partnerships between employers, universities, researchers, and the public sector.
A key part of the conversation focused on building a strong local talent pipeline. That means preparing students for careers in emerging fields, helping workers develop new skills as technology evolves, and making sure growing companies can find the talent they need here in our region.
These conversations are especially valuable as I prepare for the next legislative year. Hearing directly from local employers, researchers, and industry leaders helps me better understand where state government can remove barriers, strengthen our workforce, and support the innovation that keeps San Diego competitive. 🧑💻🧬
Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and knowing how to spot the warning signs can make a real difference. This month, I hosted a Scam Stoppers event at One Safe Place to help community members learn how to better protect themselves, their families, and their finances from fraud.
The event brought together representatives from the California Department of Insurance, Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, San Diego County District Attorney's Office, San Diego County Credit Union, and the California Department of Justice to share practical information on some of the most common scams affecting Californians today.
Attendees learned how to recognize red flags, protect personal and financial information, respond if they believe they have been targeted, and report suspected fraud to the appropriate agencies. We also discussed how scammers are adapting their tactics through phone calls, text messages, email, social media, and increasingly convincing impersonation schemes.
Giving people clear, practical information is one of the best ways we can help prevent fraud before it happens. I'm grateful to our community partners for sharing their expertise and resources, and to everyone who joined us in person and virtually to learn more about keeping themselves and their loved ones safe. 🔍📱
Knowing your rights — and knowing where to turn for help — can make a meaningful difference when navigating an unfamiliar legal situation. This month, I hosted a Know Your Rights workshop with the San Diego County Public Defender's Office to connect community members with clear, practical information about their legal rights and available resources.
During the workshop, attendees heard directly from legal professionals about constitutional rights, interactions with law enforcement, the criminal justice process, and resources available through the Public Defender's Office. The office regularly provides community education on criminal and constitutional law, the justice system, and the rights of people accused of crimes.
The conversation also gave residents an opportunity to ask questions and better understand what steps they can take if they or a loved one ever need legal assistance. Events like this are an important way to make government resources easier to understand and ensure people know where they can find reliable information.
Thank you to the San Diego County Public Defender's Office for partnering with us and to everyone who joined the conversation. I'll continue working to connect our communities with information and resources that help residents understand their rights and navigate public systems with greater confidence.
2026 AD-76 Turkey Distribution
This holiday season, my office is partnering with the San Diego Food Bank to help local families gather around the table for a nutritious Thanksgiving meal. Through our 2026 AD-76 Turkey Distribution, we're working to provide turkeys, fresh produce, and other holiday meal essentials to families across our community.
The distribution will take place on Saturday, November 21 at Los Peñasquitos Elementary School. I'm grateful to our community partners and supporters helping us make the holiday season a little brighter for families throughout the 76th Assembly District. 🦃
Click here to learn more and register for upcoming events.
STATE RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT: |
CalSavers Payroll Integration |
California employers can now take advantage of a limited-time CalSavers payroll integration offer designed to make retirement program administration easier. Employers can connect CalSavers with more than 100 supported payroll providers to automate contribution submissions.
Enroll by December 31, 2026, to receive the service free through March 31, 2027.
Keep Up With My Office and Work On Social Media! |
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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!
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.
