A Note From Tom Umberg:

July saw many of our cities celebrate groundbreakings and awards for those who have made outstanding contributions to our community. We also had the opportunity to use this recess to meet with our constituents and organizations to hear about ways our community can benefit from the legislation being considered next month in Sacramento. I’m looking forward to a few of the outstanding events we have planned next month, and seeing culmination of a year of hard work on our legislative package we’ve been covering throughout the year. I hope you can join us for many of the upcoming community events, and look forward to seeing you soon!

This month the legislature is on recess, but our Sacramento team is hard at work during this off-period getting ready for our return in August. This month, I wanted to highlight SB 27, a bill we’ve authored to improve CARE Courts. If you’re unfamiliar, I authored CARE Courts to be an alternative approach to treatment that people with significant mental health challenges such as schizophrenia face when trying to get off the streets or facing criminal prosecution. These changes are meant to streamline assistance opportunities by authorizing the court to refer the petitioners back to criminal court for eligibility to another diversionary program if they don’t qualify for CARE Courts. We’re also expanding access to those with bipolar disorders, and authorizing the court to call additional progress hearings after 60 days, to ensure those in the program don’t get lost in it and fall through the cracks. We’ve made significant progress in helping people off the streets over the years, but our systems can only work if we ensure the people they’re meant to help are being given every opportunity to succeed and we don’t fail them. I believe these reforms and expansions will only make CARE Courts more successful and be a tool for our community organizations and law enforcement can use to make real, lasting change for people struggling right here in Orange County. If you’re interested in learning more about this or other legislation my team and I are working on, please visit the link below.

View Legislation
 

Union Pacific Trail Groundbreaking
 

Team Umberg celebrated the groundbreaking for Fullerton’s newest attraction, the Union Pacific Trail. Scheduled to be completed late next year, the Union Pacific Trail will offer family and friends walking and biking opportunities along Fullerton’s historic rail line. I want to thank all of those in the community who spent years advocating for this project, and congratulate them on seeing this dream come true!

Justice Kathleen O’Leary Retirement
 

Last month, I was saddened to say good bye to a friend and colleague who has been a trailblazer of our judicial system across our state. Justice Kathleen O’Leary has been accurately described as a “judge’s judge” for her knowledge, compassion, and commitment to the law. I had the privilege of working with Justice O’Leary on the recent naming of the Santa Ana Appellate Court building after the late-State Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso. While I was proud to be able to provide Justice O’Leary with a resolution honoring her decades of service, we will certainly miss her guidance. Congratulations on your retirement Justice O’Leary!

7 Leaves Café Ribbon Cutting
 

In July, my staff joined the City of La Habra to welcome the opening of 7 Leaves Café. The franchise’s newest location has been long in the making and was eagerly anticipated as another sign of La Habra’s growth and expanding opportunities. We were proud to be on hand for this momentous occasion, and congratulate the owner, staff, and City on this outstanding occasion!

July was another busy month. Last month, the district team attended over 17 events and meetings, recognized 172 individuals, and assisted 19 individuals with casework.

Young Senators Session 5

Last month, we hosted one of my favorite Young Senators sessions with our cohort. As part of this program, we want to help students learn not only about the legislative process, but give them the tools to enter their adult years with as many practical skills and experiences as we can. This session, in partnership with Wells Fargo and Templo Calvario, we had the students participate in an interactive game where they had to manage a household budget, to give them an idea of how to plan for expenses and save up for luxury items. To round out the day, we also provided students with a $200 scholarship provided by our partners. I want to thank Wells Fargo and Templo Calvario for working with us once again on this amazing event, and to Anaheim’s Ponderosa Family Resource Center for hosting us!

08/24

Chicano Heritage Festival

Centennial Park
3000 W. Edinger Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92704

The City of Santa Ana is hosting their fourth annual Chicano Heritage Festival to celebrate the City’s rich Mexican-American culture. This free, family-friendly event will feature a car cruise, food vendors, community art, and live performances throughout the day. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and get ready for a full day of fun! For more information, please click here.

08/15

Kids Night Out

La Habra Community Center
101 W. La Habra Dr.
La Habra, CA 90631

The City of La Habra is hosting their second of three Kids Night Out events on Friday, August 15! Parents are invited to drop off their children for a fun-filled evening where kids will receive dinner, snacks, play games, and watch a movie. Kids are encouraged to wear comfy sweats or pajamas, a pillow, and blanket. Cost to attend is $25 per child. For more information, please click here.