Dear Neighbor,

Happy holidays to you and your loved ones. I am writing to confirm that you received the invitation to join me at the Inaugural District 26 Holiday Open House event this Friday, December 12, and to provide you with an update on my ongoing work representing you and our community in the California State Assembly.

If you need assistance with any state government agencies or services, please do not hesitate to reach out to my District office in Cupertino for help. Additionally, I am deeply concerned with the rising cost of everything, so I put together a resource page on my website with information on various resources and programs that may help you with the cost of necessities, including food, health, housing, transportation, utilities, and more.

At the event, I will provide a legislative update recapping my first year representing you and District 26 and invite you to suggest potential new state laws by adding your ideas to my bill proposal holiday tree.

I am excited that Homestead High School's Jazz Band and holiday carolers from the Winchester Mystery House will be performing, and attendees will be treated to a variety of light dessert items from local bakeries, a hot cocoa bar and drinks at no taxpayer expense. There will also be family-friendly activities at the event, including face painting by the Wilcox Art Club, clay snowman kits, gingerbread house making, and coloring.

I hope you can make it out this Friday! Please RSVP now at: asmdc.org/nx-holiday

COMMUNITY & LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The legislature is adjourned until reconvening on January 5, 2026. In the meantime, I have been enjoying being back home in our community, meeting with constituents like you, local government leaders, and small business owners, recapping my work this year and planning for the next year.

Constituents have been sharing their deep frustration with the rising cost of everyday goods and services, which in many cases can be attributed to the President's disastrous tariffs and draconian immigration enforcement harming food production. There is also fear among many that the economy is faltering, with increasing inflation and the worst job losses since the pandemic.

However, that doesn't mean there isn't anything the state can do to reduce the burden for Californians. In fact, while Washington DC plays politics with people's lives, I have been working with my colleagues to find solutions that put people first.

During the federal government shutdown, California quickly moved upwards of $80 million to support our local food banks and ensure that the millions of Californians who rely on the federally funded SNAP program (commonly known as food stamps) were able to get food locally through food banks like Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.

Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress have thus far chosen not to extend federal help for people to afford health insurance, and as a result, millions of Californians who get their health insurance through the Covered California Health Insurance Exchange will see monthly premiums increase on average by $100 per month beginning January 1, 2026.

But despite California's own budget challenges, we were able to put $190 million in the budget to reduce these increased health care premiums with state-funded tax credits for those earning up to $25,823 for an individual or $53,048 for a family of four (165% FPL). I will continue to advocate for funds to reduce this burden, although resources are constrained.

I am proud of the work I have been able to do this year. We still passed a balanced budget that increases funding for education, maintains funding for our higher education systems, and protects vital health care programs and social services. The budget we passed also invests in childcare and public safety, as well as the California Attorney General's office to protect Californians' resources, rights, and liberty from adverse federal actions.

The Governor signed into law four bills I worked on that help get homeless foster youth into transitional housing faster (AB 1314), reduce bureaucratic barriers for at-risk students pursuing their higher education dreams (AB 243), refocus local efforts to provide better support for families with kids facing school attendance challenges (AB 461), and provide meals for struggling senior citizens (AB 1476). I was also proud to work with Assemblymember Ash Kalra to pass AB 268, which adds Diwali as a State Holiday.

I have also continued my bipartisan work to pressure Congress to protect and invest in early childhood learning and the Head Start Program by co-authoring an opinion with Republican Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick published by The Sacramento Bee.

Costs are skyrocketing for everything, everywhere, whether you live in California or Alabama, so I am hopeful that our federal partners will get back to work for the American people given the pressure all Americans are feeling right now. Regardless, I will continue to work with my colleagues here in California to reduce the negative impacts of this economically devastating federal policy and protect all Californians.

This coming year, my highest priority will be to pursue legislation that reduces the cost of living and promotes economic opportunities for Californians. We must do everything we can and put people first.

I wish you and your loved ones very happy holidays, and hope to see you at my upcoming events. It is the honor of my life to be able to represent our community. Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Patrick Ahrens
Assemblymember, District 26