Members of the State Senate have overwhelmingly passed a package of affordability bills aimed at delivering both immediate relief and long-term solutions for working families across the Golden State. The three-pillar legislative package—focused on the critical areas of energy affordability, housing affordability, and expanding good middle-class jobs—is an aggressive effort to make California more livable, affordable, and competitive.
Announced earlier this year, the package is the result of months of determined work to deliver relief to Californians. The three bills – SB 254 by Senator Josh Becker, SB 681 by Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab, and SB 638 by Senator Steve Padilla – are designed to help rein in skyrocketing housing and utility costs, all while building pathways to good-paying middle-class jobs.
The package delivers comprehensive solutions that directly confront the affordability crisis, making California a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. After passing this critical hurdle, the bills now head to the Assembly.
“These three bills will help thousands become first-time home buyers, lower utility bills, build more housing in every corner of California, and expand career training programs across the state,” said Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). “Senators have responded to this moment with the urgency it deserves, but we know there’s much more work to do. Stay tuned in the months to come.”
The vote followed months of work from the Senate’s Affordability Working Group.
“With strong and united support, today the Senate took its most ambitious step yet to rein in rising energy costs,” said Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park). “This bill will lower monthly utility costs while curbing outrageous profits and unchecked rate hikes from utilities, so families can afford their monthly bills, keep the roof over their head, and live with greater security. SB 254 is proof that we can build a clean energy future without leaving working families behind.”
The working group is co-chaired by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) and Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley), and will continue to focus on the areas of energy, housing, and workforce on behalf of all Californians.
“The California Dream shouldn’t be limited to narrow paths to achieve the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to California’s economy,” said Senator Padilla. “Too many young people are channeled into low-wage service jobs while thousands of skilled, high-wage jobs go unfilled. Our economy is reliant upon those skilled tradespeople, but our educational system isn’t designed for those demands. That must change. Senate Bill 638 will finally focus and broaden state efforts to ensure Californians have access to the training and opportunities they need to succeed.”
