Dear Neighbor,
The month of June means graduation ceremonies, summer vacations, family get-togethers, and the passage of a state budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Tackling the affordability crisis and advocating for public safety are two of my top legislative priorities. I have concerns about the 2026-27 state budget because it will leave a structural deficit for the next governor. Every family must make tough decisions and live within a budget, and Sacramento must do the same. This budget does nothing to help California families and businesses. It includes no gas tax suspension, no major repayment of the billions owed to the federal government in unemployment insurance debt, and no substantial new funding for Proposition 36. Californians deserve a responsible budget that addresses our affordability challenges, supports public safety, and delivers real solutions. Click HERE to listen to my floor remarks and click HERE to read my full statement.
Click HERE to listen to my floor remarks.
Legislative Update:
Click HERE to learn more about my legislative package and the bills I have co-authored with my colleagues in the California State Legislature.
Senate Bill 985, my Fix 911 Act, is making its way through the legislative process. It passed out of the Assembly Emergency Management Committee with strong, bipartisan support and is now on its way to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee for a second policy hearing.
SB 985 would require the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to submit quarterly reports to the California State Legislature detailing the development, implementation timeline, system readiness, and taxpayer spending for the NextGen 911 project until its completion.
Throughout and after the Garden Grove hazmat incident, I heard directly from residents and business owners about the financial strain they faced as they worked to recover. I believe in solving problems, not creating new burdens. For this reason, I signed on as a principal co-author to Assembly Bill 760, authored by Assemblymember Tri Ta, to ensure that any financial compensation provided to displaced victims of the Garden Grove hazmat incident is exempt from state taxes. Cleanup activities remain underway at the GKN Aerospace facility under the oversight of the Orange County Health Care Agency, South Coast AQMD, and GKN Aerospace. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has also opened a Business Recovery Center in Garden Grove to support small businesses affected by the recent evacuation. Click HERE for the latest cleanup updates and information on assistance available to impacted businesses.
Every child deserves the chance to experience the outdoors and make lasting memories with loved ones. That's why I'm proud to co-author Senate Bill 1021, a bipartisan measure providing vulnerable youth with safe, supervised opportunities to participate in hunting and fishing while creating lasting memories with family. Thank you, Senator Steven Choi, for championing our children.
At the SB 1021 press conference.
On July 1st, California’s gas tax is set to increase by 2 cents per gallon, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration’s annual adjustment. The new rate will be 63.4 cents per gallon. Californians already pay the highest gas tax in the nation, which is why I introduced legislation and offered opportunity amendments to support my suspension of the gas tax. Unfortunately, my commonsense idea was rejected. Click HERE to hear my floor remarks about suspending the gas tax.
Click HERE to hear my floor remarks about suspending the gas tax.
Students from the Hebrew Academy Community Day School in Huntington Beach spent a meaningful day at the California State Capitol. These students had the opportunity to tour the Capitol and learn more about California's legislative process and government. Experiences like this help inspire the next generation of civic leaders and engaged citizens.
Students from the Hebrew Academy Community Day School at the State Capitol.
District Highlights:
Team Strickland joined the Fountain Valley Fire Department, community members, and local organizations to honor the life and legacy of late Fountain Valley Fire Chief Bill McQuaid with the dedication of a memorial bench at the site of his final ride. Click HERE to read a thoughtful article published in the Los Angeles Times about the sentimental meaning of the memorial bench at Huntington State Beach. RIP Chief McQuaid!
Chief McQuaid’s memorial bench at Huntington State Beach.
I met with community leaders and constituents in San Clemente at some of their favorite local businesses to discuss important issues facing South Orange County, including affordability, housing, public safety, and education.
With community leaders in San Clemente.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to have these meaningful conversations and hear directly from the community, which helps inform my work and priorities in Sacramento.
With community leaders in San Clemente.
June is graduation season. Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Your future is bright, and the community is proud of you. We look forward to seeing the amazing accomplishments that come next for you!
With community leaders and local elected officials at the Los Alamitos High School
Class of 2026 graduation parade.
I joined the City of Dana Point, Mayor John Gabbard, and Jamey M. Federico, council member for district 3, to recognize Jim Carol, CEO of GameChanger Charity, in Dana Point, where his nonprofit is located. I selected GameChanger Charity as the 2026 Senate 36th District Nonprofit of the Year because Jim and his team do exceptional work in uplifting the lives of children who are sick.
With elected officials from the City of Dana Point and Jim Carol of GameChanger Charity.
Under the beautiful backdrop of the Los Angeles Coliseum, it was my honor to present a Senate Proclamation to Raffaella Valentini, Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, during the celebration of Italian National Day. Under her leadership, she has helped foster stronger institutional, economic, scientific, and cultural ties between Italy and our communities here in Southern California. Consul General Valentini represents 11 counties across Southern California, as well as Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
With Italian Consul General Valentini.
The sun is out, and Senate District 36 has no shortage of beautiful coastal destinations to enjoy, including Cleo Street Beach Access, which recently underwent ADA accessibility improvements. These upgrades will help ensure that residents and visitors of all abilities can safely and easily experience Laguna Beach's beautiful coastline for years to come.
Team Strickland at the grand reopening of the Cleo Beach Street Access.
Grand Opening highlights in Senate District 36:
Iron House Jiu-Jitsu grand opening in Dana Point.
Newport Integrative Medicine and Aesthetics grand opening in Newport Beach.
Team Strickland at the grand opening of The Cove Integrative Aesthetics in San Clemente.
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters in Stanton.
In Case You Missed It: The Strickland Spotlight
The Orange County Register recently highlighted Assembly Bill 760, a measure for which I am proud to serve as a principal co-author. The bill would provide tax relief to residents, property owners, and businesses that receive compensation payments related to the Garden Grove hazardous materials incident. Click HERE to read the story.
Click HERE to read the story published in The Orange County Register.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, I weighed in after the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors voted in new leadership. I’ve been calling for the governor and legislature to pull the plug on the high-speed rail project since my return to office in March 2025. Click HERE to read the story that was published in the California Post.
Click HERE to read the story that was published in the California Post.
I was on California 360 Politics, a statewide public affairs show, to discuss the latest leadership changes on the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors. Click HERE to watch the interview.
Click HERE to watch the interview on California 360 Politics.
Affordability isn’t just a talking point, but it’s something that I’m actively working to address. Just recently, I offered opportunity amendments to suspend the gas tax. My proposal would have lowered the price of a gallon of gas by $1.08, saving a family of 4 around $1100. The proposal did not pass, but I’ll continue advocating for families, students, and senior citizens who are being crushed by California’s affordability crisis. Click HERE to watch my interview on Inside California Politics, another statewide public affairs show.
Click HERE to watch my interview on Inside California Politics.
KTLA 5 Capitol correspondent Eytan Wallace also reported on the high gas prices as the summer driving period began. Click HERE to watch the story that aired on KTLA 5 in Los Angeles.
Click HERE to watch the story that aired on KTLA 5 in Los Angeles.
In another news story, the reporter highlighted my remarks questioning how the state’s long-term climate goals would impact consumers during a Senate Energy Committee hearing.
“What will that mean for an average California family of four in that transition and those goals?” Strickland said, noting that affordability remains a key concern to balance with those aspirational goals. Click HERE to watch the news story.
Click HERE to watch the news story.
I have concerns about California’s Elderly Parole Program and spoke to the media about it. Under the state's elderly parole program, any inmate who is 50 years of age or older and has served a minimum of 20 consecutive years is eligible for parole. Click HERE to watch the story.
Click HERE to watch the story about California’s Elderly Parole Program.
Next month, we will celebrate America’s 250th birthday that will include multiple Independence Day celebrations, including the 122nd Huntington Beach Independence Day Event. Come watch the parade with me as I’ll join the 2.5-mile parade route, starting on Pacific Coast Highway and making way past the Huntington Beach Pier and Main Street. ABC 7 in Los Angeles will broadcast the parade live starting at 10:00 AM. Click HERE for details for the Huntington Beach event. I have also posted other Independence Day celebrations that are happening throughout Senate District 36. Click HERE to check out those fun family events on my Senate website.
Lastly, as a proud father, I wanted to wish all the dads and father figures a Happy Father’s Day. Thank you for all that you do to support your families and communities.
As always, my district office is here to help you navigate state government. You can contact me at Senator.Strickland@senate.ca.gov or call (714) 374-4000.
In Friendship,
Tony Strickland
Senator, California 36th State Senate