Message from Catherine

For just over two months, it’s been my absolute honor to represent you and our neighborhoods in the California State Assembly. If we haven’t had the chance to meet yet, my name is Catherine Stefani, and I’m thrilled to be representing San Francisco and northern San Mateo County in the state legislature. It’s a privilege to serve our diverse and vibrant communities, and I’m ready to get to work on the issues that matter most to you and your loved ones.

From day one, I’ve hit the ground running in Sacramento, focused on drafting legislation that improves public safety, tackles housing and affordability challenges, protects reproductive rights, and strengthens our healthcare systems. At a time when our state’s values are under attack by a hostile federal government, I’m committed to standing up for our rights and ensuring California remains a beacon of progress and opportunity for all.

Read my newsletter below to learn more about my legislation, district events, lunar new year celebrations, and more!

As your representative, my office is here to serve you. Whether you have questions, concerns, or need assistance with any State related services, please do not hesitate to reach out at Assemblymember.Stefani@Assembly.ca.gov or call (415) 557-2312.

I can’t wait to work alongside you to build a safer, more affordable, and more equitable future for all of our communities.

Sincerely,

Catherine Stefani 司嘉怡
Assemblymember, 19^th District

In this newsletter, you'll find the following information:

• Section 1: Policy & Legislation
• Section 2: In the Community
• Section 3: Celebrating the Lunar New Year
• Section 4: Sacramento Updates
• Section 5: Resources
• Section 6: Events

California has the power and responsibility to lead in the fight against human trafficking. By ensuring that no taxpayer money contributes to forced labor, we can take a stand for human dignity and justice — not just here in California, but across the globe.

Earlier this month, I formally introduced my first piece of legislation in the State Assembly: the Human Trafficking Procurement Prevention Act — AB 381. Following our recognition of January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I’m proud to be bringing forward this critical legislation.

Every dollar our state spends should uphold our values, not enable exploitation. This act will use our state’s economic strength to protect our most vulnerable communities.

Studies have shown that guns used in crimes often trace back to dealers who disregard the law. By leveraging California’s immense buying power and requiring a rigorous vetting process for state law enforcement to purchase guns, we can demand higher standards, prevent public funds from going to dealers who violate gun safety laws, and keep our communities safer.

I’m incredibly proud to be partnering with Brady: United Against Gun Violence to spearhead AB 458, the California Gun Industry Procurement Bill, and ensure that no taxpayer dollars go towards gun industry players with histories of serious violations.

AB 627: Reforming the California Health Facilities Financing Authority Act

Committee Assignments

I’m thrilled to have been seated on these five committees and to have been made Co-Chair of the Legislative Ethics Committee for the 2025-26 legislative session!

On December 3, I had the honor of being sworn in to the California State Assembly.

This milestone is not just about me — it’s about all of us who have worked together to build a stronger, more vibrant San Francisco, San Mateo County, and California.

Later that week, I was blown away by everyone who came out to join our community swearing-in ceremony. This celebration was a testament to the work we’ve accomplished to get here and a commitment to rolling up our sleeves and leading the fight for a safer and more affordable California for all.

As I looked out on the crowd, I had never been more hopeful about the future of our communities or more determined to do everything in my power to protect our freedoms and to deliver results.

I am still so grateful to Former Congresswoman Speier for administering my oath of office, to City Administrator Chu for sharing her words of wisdom, to Rabbi Bauer and Father Mahoney for their invocations, to my children, Dominic and Gianna, for reading to us a letter of congratulations from Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and to everyone who joined us on this incredibly special day — it meant so much to me.

On behalf of the California State Assembly, it was an honor to present my first Certificate of Recognition to Mayor John Irish Goodwin on the occasion of his retirement and in recognition of his decades of outstanding service to the people and Town of Colma!

I was also excited to congratulate Mayor Gonzalez, Vice Mayor Slaughter, and the entire Colma Town Council on their swearing-in. I can’t wait to continue working alongside them in service to this incredible community.

Every holiday season, I am always so touched by the community that comes together to remember our fallen veterans and to honor those who serve in our nation’s armed forces at Wreaths Across America’s annual wreath laying at the San Francisco National Cemetery.

To all our veterans and service members: thank you for your bravery, your service, and your sacrifices you’ve made for our country. I’m ready to lead the fight to ensure this community receives the resources and services they need and deserve.

Twelve years after the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I was proud to stand alongside Mattie Scott, my dear friends Ruth Borenstein and Celeste Perron, and so many other leaders in the gun violence prevention community for the annual holiday healing vigil for those we’ve lost to gun violence.

It was an honor to also be recognized for my work to tackle gun violence here in our communities. Alongside these leaders, I’m ready to continue this fight in our state legislature.

I always enjoy hearing directly from neighbors about the issues that matter most to them — public safety, home insurance, affordability — and for the opportunity to share how I’ll be fighting for them in our state legislature.

I’m so grateful to my good friend, Leon Chow, for helping organize these community meetings for me to share more about my plans for the year ahead in the State Assembly!

I had the immense privilege of being honored by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District Board of Directors at their first holiday luncheon since the pandemic! It’s been a pleasure working alongside my fellow members of the Board and the incredible women and men who maintain and work on the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Transit and ferry services.

While my time on this Board has come to an end, I look forward to continuing to advocate in the State Assembly for this iconic landmark, its public transit, and the communities that rely on it each and every day.

I was thrilled to join San Francisco State University for the dedication of its incredible new Science and Engineering Innovation Center!

It was an honor to be with this community to celebrate the opening of this transformative investment in STEM education — not just for the university, but also for our region and its role as a global leader in innovation.

Kicking off the start of the Lunar New Year in Chinatown! Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Bringing the celebration to Balboa Street in the Outer Richmond! It was such an honor to usher in the Year of the Snake alongside this incredible community.

Thank you to the Richmond Neighborhood Center and all the community based organizations that came together to put on this Lunar New Year Parade and Night Market!

Thank you to Mayor Rod Daus-Magbual and the entire City Council for inviting me to celebrate the Lunar New Year with you all at Daly City’s City Hall!

Ringing in the Year of the Snake at the State Building in San Francisco!

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the Lunar New Year and to all the individuals and organizations who came together to make this event a shining example of our city’s incredible diversity and spirit.

Celebrating the Lunar New Year alongside so many incredible community leaders and community-based organizations at the Outer Sunset Farmer’s Market!

Happy Year of the Snake from the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade! I was thrilled to have been joined by my dear friend Natassia Kwan in the parade this year. Natassia helped play an instrumental role in the passage of AB 2596 through the Senate and Assembly to make the Lunar New Year an official state holiday here in California.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our city, all the performers, the incredible contingents, and to ring in the Lunar New Year!

First Day of Legislative Session

Alongside my Democratic colleagues in the Assembly, we got to work on day one, drafting legislation to lower costs for consumers, protect our most vulnerable residents, and ensure our state’s budget continues to meet the needs of Californians across the state.

January was National Human Trafficking Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness and educate ourselves on identifying and preventing human trafficking.

This month serves as an important reminder that human trafficking is a global issue, including right here in California. According to the Department of State, an estimated 27.6 million people, including both adults and children, are subjected to this crime worldwide.

I joined my colleagues for a policy roundtable on human trafficking, where we heard directly from survivors about how our laws and services can be improved to better support their needs.

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and helped us gain a deeper understanding of what more the state can do to prevent human trafficking and to support this community of survivors.

Starting Up the Italian Caucus of California

Excited to join forces with Senator Dave Cortese to establish the Italian American Caucus of California and work together to recognize the contributions of Italian Americans in California and to address key issues that matter to residents across the Bay Area and our state!

At the beginning of the month, I was proud to join my Democratic colleagues on the Assembly floor to ensure that our Attorney General and state agencies have the resources they need to defend our most fundamental values, protect our most at-risk communities, and lead the fight against this federal administration’s dangerous and un-American agenda.

I was honored to welcome my dear friend, Italian Consul General of San Francisco, Sergio Strozzi, to the floor of the California State Assembly!

As a proud Italian-American, I have had the privilege of partnering with Consul General Strozzi time and again to celebrate and highlight the countless contributions of Italian immigrants across our great state of California.

I was thrilled to have the Consul General in Sacramento as we continue to strengthen the enduring bond between Italy and California — spanning culture, the economy, science, agriculture, and food.

Search for Unclaimed Property

California’s Unclaimed Property Law requires financial institutions, insurance companies, corporations, businesses, and certain other entities to report and submit their customers’ property to the State Controller’s Office when there has been no activity for a period of time (generally three years). Common types of unclaimed property include but are not limited to: bank accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, wages, and safe deposit box contents. Property does not include real estate.

Insurance Information Guides

The California Department of Insurance has informational guides to help you with the purchase of insurance, what you may need to know, and some related information. The information is divided up into automobile, residential, health, life, business, seniors, and general insurance.

California Earned Income Tax Credit

The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) offers support for low-income, working Californians. You may qualify for up to $3,644 cash back or a reduction of the tax you owe. Plus, CalEITC may help you access additional credits, like the Young Child and Foster Youth tax credits.

Home Match

Home Match connects community members seeking housing with older adults who have extra space in their homes. Each match is personalized with the process overseen by program staff—at no cost to participants. Home Match benefits everyone. It decreases isolation, provides housing security, and above all, builds community.

Financial Assistance for Utility Bills

PG&E has several programs to provide bill assistance to residents in need. Learn more about low-income assistance, family rates, and other financial assistance programs.

Events

Refuse Refuse Richmond Neighborhood Cleanup

Date: Friday, February 21, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.

Join community members in the Richmond District to help pick up trash and litter in the neighborhood. Participants will meet up at The Richmond Neighborhood Center at 741 30th Avenue.

Ocean Avenue Lunar New Year Celebration

Date: Saturday, February 22 at 12 to 3 p.m.

Join the Ocean Ave community for their annual Lunar New Year Celebration! Complimentary lunch will be provided for the first 400 guests, alongside community resource tables, local vendors and multicultural performances.

Daly City Black History Month Celebration

Date: Saturday, February 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join the Daly City community for their 33rd Annual Black History Month event! This event will feature a wide variety of cultural experiences, festive treats, refreshments, and arts and crafts.

Date: Friday, March 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Join the community in Colma for a fun filled family bingo night! Enjoy light refreshments and tasty snacks over an evening of laughter and friendly competition.

Date: Saturday, March 15 at 11 a.m.

Join in on the festivities at San Francisco’s 174th St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrating and showcasing our region’s Irish community and Irish culture!