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Monthly Newsletter
June, 2026 |
As we move into June, I remain focused on advancing policies that strengthen our communities, expand opportunity, and deliver meaningful results for Californians. Last month brought important conversations around the state budget, public safety, education, and improving access to essential services across our region. I've also continued meeting with local leaders, students, advocates, and residents throughout the district to ensure community voices remain at the center of the work we do in Sacramento.
In this Newsletter:
State Budget Update: 2026 May Revise
On May 14th, the Governor unveiled his updated "May Revise" budget proposal. This update to his budget is based on more accurate revenue information available after taxes are filed in April. As a member of the Budget Committee and the Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, I have the opportunity to closely review the Governor's updated proposals, debate them with my colleagues, and work toward delivering a final budget that responsibly supports the wellbeing of all Californians.
I was encouraged to see the historic $2.4 billion investment in special education included in the Governor's May Revise proposal. This is a substantial increase from the Governor's January proposal, reflecting sustained advocacy from the Legislature and education community, and will help schools and educators better meet the needs of all students, including through key priorities such as literacy initiatives and expanded supports for unhoused students. The Governor's proposal also includes an all-time high of $127 billion in K-14 education spending.
These investments are promising. My colleagues and I have until June 15th to deliver a final budget proposal to the Governor for approval. There is still important work ahead in the coming weeks to reach a final agreement that protects the state's fiscal health while making strategic investments that strengthen our schools, communities, and California's future.
| LEGISLATIVE SPOTLIGHT: |
| My Healthcare Bills |
Advancing Health Access & Accountability
As my legislative package continues to advance, I am proud to highlight the following measures focused on improving access to care and strengthening support systems across California:
AB 1171: Extends Health Insurance Access to Community College Faculty
Improves access to healthcare benefits for faculty teaching part-time at multiple community college districts. This ensures equitable care, regardless of where educators are employed.
AB 2343: Increases Access to Trusted Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Requires private licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities to participate in the California Department of Healthcare Services' designated treatment directory and quality rating system so that patients can access trusted care quickly and confidently.
The State Budget process is ongoing, and I remain committed to advocating for the priorities that matter most to our community. As budget negotiations continue, I welcome your input and encourage you to share your thoughts, concerns, and priorities through the link below.
Contact | Assemblymember Dr. Darshana R. Patel
I am proud to present my 2025 Annual Report! 💙
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the work our office accomplished throughout 2025 and reflects our continued commitment to serving our community with transparency and results. Within these pages, you will find highlights of significant statistics, key achievements, impactful community events, and major legislative victories that shaped our year.
From advancing meaningful policy initiatives to strengthening community partnerships and expanding constituent services, 2025 was marked by progress and collaboration. This report not only celebrates the milestones we achieved together, but also recognizes the dedication of our staff, community leaders, stakeholders, and constituents whose support made these accomplishments possible.
As you review this report, I hope it offers valuable insight into the priorities and positive impact of our office over the past year. We remain committed to building on this momentum and continuing to advocate for the needs and interests of the community we proudly serve. Thank you for a great first year in the legislature! 🙏
CA API Coalition Advocacy Day
Thank you to the California API Advocacy Coalition and the more than 200 organizations from across the state who came together to uplift and advance the voices of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across California.
I appreciated the opportunity to speak on AB 1878, my legislation focused on improving the collection of detailed race and ethnicity data to help ensure California's diverse communities are more accurately represented and better served through public policy. Events like Advocacy Day highlight the power of collective action and the importance of ensuring our communities are represented in the legislative process.
Thank You, Capitol Interns!
If you called our Capitol office, you may have spoken with student interns Savanna and Alana, who recently completed their internships with our Sacramento office and supported our team's constituent services and legislative work. đ
Their contributions strengthened the office's ability to serve constituents effectively while providing meaningful support to our legislative work. Savanna and Alana leave with valuable professional experience and a deeper understanding of how constituent services and state policy work together to support our communities.
Sacramento Bus Trip for Education
It was an honor to speak at the 23rd Annual Sacramento Bus Trip for Education, hosted by State Senator Cortese. This bus trip to the State Capitol brings together educators, students, and community members to engage directly with state legislators and education leaders. Participants discussed the state budget, education funding priorities, and policies that impact California's public schools. Thank you to all who participated. đâī¸
Fiesta De Los Peñasquitos
It was wonderful being back at Fiesta De Los Peñasquitos, this time as an attendee and speaker after previously having the opportunity to plan and run the event. Events like this are such a special opportunity to celebrate the culture, traditions, and community spirit that make our region so vibrant. đ
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with our office, share their thoughts on community priorities, and learn more about available resources and upcoming legislation. We are grateful to the organizers, volunteers, and community members who made this event such a success!
SD Nari: Mother's Day Glitz & Glamour Party
It was an honor to attend the SD Nari Mother's Day Glitz & Glamour Party and stand alongside community members, advocates, survivors, and families from across AD76. While the evening was filled with celebration and connection, it also highlighted the critical work being done to support women and families impacted by domestic violence and abuse. I was grateful for the opportunity to speak about the importance of creating communities where survivors are met with compassion, safety, and meaningful support as they rebuild their lives. Through culturally competent services including safety planning, counseling, legal resources, advocacy, and multilingual support, SD Nari continues to provide life-changing assistance to women and families during some of their most difficult moments. đđĒŠ
Escondido Street Festival
It was a joy to be part of the Escondido Street Festival and spend time with residents, community organizations, and local businesses. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect, share their perspectives, and learn more about the work we're doing on behalf of our communities. I always appreciate the opportunity to engage directly with constituents and hear what matters most to them. A special thank you to the volunteers from the California Conservation Corps who helped support our booth throughout the event. We truly appreciated their time, energy, and commitment to serving the community. đđ§
Art for Heart
I had the privilege of attending the 2nd Annual ARTISTRY community art exhibition hosted by Art for Heart, celebrating creativity, self-expression, and the power of art to bring people together across generations. đ¨ The exhibition featured an inspiring range of artwork from children, teens, adults, and senior artists—beginning as young as age four—and highlighted how art can foster confidence, imagination, and meaningful connection within our community.
Art has a powerful way of helping us discover both what makes us unique and the values, emotions, and connections we all share. Art also plays an important role in supporting mental health and emotional well-being. It gives people an outlet to express themselves, reduce stress, and allows artists to really connect with themselves.
A sincere thank you to Art for Heart and everyone involved in organizing the ARTISTRY exhibition for bringing the community together through the transformative power of art.
Hindi Language Program
I was grateful to join the Hindi Language Program and Hindi Bhasha Program Graduation Celebration to recognize their incredible students, educators, and families. The program is officially accredited, providing a direct pathway to fulfill higher education admission requirements for foreign languages.
Through the values of Culture, Communication, and Connection, the Hindi Language Program and Hindi Bhasha Program create meaningful opportunities for students to strengthen their identities, connect across generations, and preserve traditions for years to come đđ
Escondido Chamber Foundation Rising Stars Scholarship Banquet
Team Patel was honored to attend the Rising Stars Awards Ceremony and celebrate the outstanding students whose hard work, leadership, and dedication have already made a meaningful impact in our community. Recognizing young people who are striving toward higher education and future career success is always inspiring, and it was wonderful to see so many students supported by their families, educators, and community leaders. âđ
Congratulations to Addison Powell, Ryan Anderson, and Mnium Clark-Jijon, whose documentary Behind Barbed Wire earned Second Prize in C-SPAN's national StudentCam competition. Their thoughtful project explored the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness through the lens of history and civic engagement, demonstrating an impressive level of creativity, research, and critical thinking at such a young age.
Programs like StudentCam help empower students to think critically about democracy, public policy, and their role in strengthening our communities, while also encouraging the next generation to raise their voices and share their perspectives. đĨđ
You can view their award-winning documentary here: 2026 2nd Prize Middle School Division – "Behind Barbed Wire" by Addison Powell, Ryan Anderson, & Mnium Clark-Jijon – STUDENTCAM
| AD76 Hope Latina Advocate Honoree |
Violeta Mora
2026 AD76 Latina Advocacy Honoree
It was an honor to celebrate my AD76 honoree for the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Latina Action Day 2026 in Sacramento. Violeta Mora, MPA, has dedicated more than two decades to advancing student wellness and educational equity across San Diego County. As a Program Specialist at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), she co-leads countywide initiatives that promote student wellness, mental health literacy, and positive school climates across 42 school districts.
Throughout her career, Violeta has been a passionate advocate for creating safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students. She brings extensive expertise in designing and facilitating professional development and technical assistance on critical topics including suicide prevention, support for military-connected students, human trafficking awareness, services for foster and probation youth, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, bullying intervention, and mental health education.
Violeta's dedication to service, advocacy, and educational leadership makes her truly deserving of recognition as the 76th Assembly District Latina Advocacy Honoree.
I am thrilled to introduce Friends of San Pasqual Academy as our AD 76 California Nonprofit of the Year! We celebrated the incredible work this nonprofit organization has done to support foster teens across San Diego County through its longstanding partnership with San Pasqual Academy. By providing critical funding, mentorship, advocacy, and enrichment resources, Friends of San Pasqual Academy helps ensure students have access to quality educational opportunities and a safe, stable, and caring environment where they can thrive.
Friends of San Pasqual Academy's commitment extends far beyond the classroom. Through scholarships, extracurricular support, special events, and programs that help students transition into adulthood, the organization empowers foster youth to build confidence and pursue brighter futures long after graduation.
Memorial Day is a time to both honor the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in service to our country and reflect on the deep sense of community that brings us together in remembrance. Memorial Day events across our region highlighted both the solemn meaning of the holiday and the importance of preserving the stories and legacies of our local heroes.
The Memorial Day Celebration in Escondido was hosted by local veterans organizations including Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1513, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 70, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1147. It was a deeply moving reminder that behind every name is a family, a community, and a legacy of courage and sacrifice that will never be forgotten.
Later, at the Memorial Day observance at Webb Park, we gathered to pay tribute to six Rancho Bernardo High School servicemembers who were killed in action in post-9/11 conflicts. This was a solemn testament to the ultimate sacrifice made by our own local heroes.
| 2026 YOUTH AND FAMILY FAIR |
There's still time to sign up for the 2026 Youth & Family Festival on June 20!
Have you registered yet? Join me for a FREE Family Palooza in partnership with the Escondido YMCA – A Campus for Community Wellbeing! đ This fun-filled community event is designed to bring together youth and families from across the 76th Assembly District for a day of activities, wellness, and valuable community resources that support healthy and thriving communities.
Bring the whole family out for a fun-filled day featuring:
- Mobile health unit providing free dental screenings, fluoride, and dental resources with Neighborhood Healthcare
- Free produce distribution with the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank
- Story time with the Escondido Public Library
- Family Zumba & Gymnastics Experience with the YMCA
- An opportunity drawing with prizes from San Diego Wave FC, San Diego FC, San Diego Safari Park, Rancho Family YMCA and more
- Inflatable slide, arts & crafts, and Eagle Scout Rope Bridge
- Resource tables on affordability, education, public safety, and local youth activity programs
- And more!
Events like these reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting children and families by creating accessible opportunities for wellness, safety, education, and community connection. We hope to see you there!
| HELPFUL STATE RESOURCE: |
| Sun Bucks |
SUN Bucks (also known as Summer EBT) helps eligible families buy groceries during the summer when school meals are not available. In California, eligible children can receive $120 in food benefits per child for the summer months. Most eligible children are automatically enrolled, while some families may need to apply through their child's school.
Important information:
- Receiving SUN Bucks does not affect immigration status or eligibility for other nutrition programs.
- Children can receive SUN Bucks and still participate in summer meal programs and other food assistance programs.
- Benefits must be used within 122 days of being loaded onto the card or they will expire.
Need help?
- SUN Bucks Helpline: (877) 328-9677
- Available 24/7 for automated assistance; live agents are available Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–8 p.m.
| AD76 INTERSHIP PROGRAM: |
| Paid Internship Opportunities this Fall! |
Apply Now: Paid Fall Internship Program
We are seeking paid interns to join our District Office. Interns will have the opportunity to learn about the operations of an Assembly district office, which includes assisting with general administrative tasks, drafting responses to constituent requests and answering phones, assisting with legislative research, providing assistance on constituent casework, drafting and printing certificates of recognition, and working in coordination with the team on community events and meetings.
Candidates should have an interest in learning about the legislative process and how state government can serve constituents. Candidates must possess strong written and oral communications skills, be able to work well in a fast-paced, team environment, and be proficient in Microsoft Word and general office tasks.
The internship term is September 2026 - December 2026, and the ideal candidate will be able to work up to at least 15 hours per week. This position is 100% in-person in the office. The compensation for the paid internship is $20 per hour and is not eligible for benefits.
College students & graduates interested in public service and state government are encouraged to apply.
| 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!
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.
