JCI's 2025 Newsletter

"This past year reminded us what’s possible when vision meets collaboration.

As we step into 2026, we’re energized by the opportunities ahead and inspired by the future we’re building together."

Spotify Celebrates the Success of JCI's Podcast Civic Encounter

JCI Podcast Hits A High Note: Highlighting Latina Women Success

Not only did Civic Encounter get a huge boost and push from Spotify, but we also closed Season 2 with our two most powerful “pods” yet. Our Season 2 Civic Encounter podcast episode featuring Helen Torres, Chief Executive Officer of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE)®, has been honored with a Platinum MarCom Award for 2025, recognizing outstanding achievement in Educational Podcast Episode! JCI extends its deep gratitude to Helen Torres and the HOPE team for their partnership and leadership.

We closed out our year with Dr. Jocelyn Duarte and Deja Charles-Tomkins, two impactful leaders whose words will continue to inspire us into the new year. Hear from Dr. Duarte on education, immigrant justice, and strengthening local communities and fromCharles-Tomkins on building inclusive outdoor spaces.

Clean Tech Community Unites In Support of Senator Monique Limón

Pictured above: Senator Ben Allen, Senator Pro Tem Monique Limón, and Senator Josh Becker

On October 8th, the clean tech community united in support of honoring the next California Senate President pro Tempore, Senator Monique Limón. 

At the event, Senator Limon spoke about the need for California to take bold action for the climate. Special guest Senator Becker celebrated the success of the legislature in 2025 through programs such as Cap and Invest shared strategies for prioritizing communities while supporting economic growth. Co-Hosts Tim Hade of Brightfield Infrastructure, Phil Ting, Seth Jacobson, and Arnab Pal expressed gratitude for the leadership that Senator Limón and Senator Becker have shown in the California legislature for clean energy progress over the years.

We look forward to continuing to support Senator Monique Limón and her efforts to support strong climate policies in California.

Wyland’s Law AB 1363 Signed by Governor Newsom

On October 10, 2025 Governor Newsom signed AB 1363. Wyland’s Law reaffirms that courts must immediately transmit protective orders to the Department of Justice, preventing deadly gaps in enforcement like the one that took the life of Wyland.

With JCI’s media push and strong advocacy, we are thrilled and honored to have been a part of this momentous win in the fight against gun violence.

JCI gives a huge thanks and congratulations to our fearless leaders, Christy Camara, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, partners at GIFFORDS, Joe Alioto, Brady United, Everytown, and CA Partnership to End Domestic Violence. We also thank our legislative champions Senators Ashby, Rubio, Wiener, Hurtado, Blakespear, Becker, and Assemblymembers Petrie-Norris, Rubio, and Wicks.

Year 5 - Huge Success: Energy Upgrade California

JCI had an amazing year for the Energy Upgrade California Grassroots Flex Alert/Power Saver Rewards program. We were able to work with some of the state's leading community voices to talk about energy use, and meeting the important climate goals of the state. 

In total the program reached 789,039 underserved community members directly - sharing important information about the state’s efforts to reduce energy use in critical times. We were honored to collaborate with DDC, and the CPUC to help organizations engage in-person and online, with over 16 million Californians. The program in its 5th year was able to meet and surpass its goals for community outreach this year!

This Year's Media Successes

We're excited to highlight some of the great media from our work in 2025:

• Becker, Josh, and Shah, Jigar. “Opinion: As D.C. retreats, California must lead on affordable clean energy.” The Mercury News, September 8, 2025.  

• Pal, Arnab, and Phil Ting. “California Must Transform Its Clean Energy Approach.” Capitol Weekly, April 15, 2025.

• “After a 10-Year-Old Was Murdered by His Father, a Proposed California Law Aims to Close Gun Loophole.” Los Angeles Times, April 15, 2025.

• “Wyland’s Law Introduced: Mother of Hanford Boy Says It Could’ve Saved Her Son’s Life.” ABC30, 2025.

• “Wyland’s Law Aims to Protect Children From Gun Violence; Bill Inspired by Local Boy.” Hanford Sentinel, 2025.

• Hensley, Ben. “Prescription Affordability Crisis: How SB 41 Could Make a Bad Situation Worse.” The Business Journal, September 12.

• Oakland Post. “California’s Legislature Has the Wrong Prescription for the Affordability Crisis — Gov. Newsom’s Plan Hits the Mark.” Post News Group, June 18.

• Gomez, Marcus. “Increasing Health Care Costs Is the Last Thing Lawmakers Should Pursue.” Capitol Weekly, March 31.

• Gomez, Marcus. “Californians Are Reeling From Recent Disasters — Increasing Their Health Care Costs Is the Last Thing State Lawmakers Should Pursue.” California Business Journal, February 27.

• James, Ian. “Decades Ago, L.A. Was Ordered to Take Less Water to Save Mono Lake. But the City Still Hasn’t Met That Goal.” Los Angeles Times, August 4, 2025.

• Cañete, Julian. “Op-Ed: Overregulation in California Is Hurting Hispanic-Owned Businesses.” California Business Journal, 2025, https://calbizjournal.com/.

• Contreras, Walter. “Op-Ed: Permitting Barriers Are Holding Back Black and Brown Communities.” Latino Times, 2025, https://www.latinotimes.org/.

• Holmes, Ahmad. “Op-Ed: Eaton Fire Highlights the Need for Stronger Community and Business Resilience.” Southern California News Group, 2025, https://www.scng.com/.

• Nees, Paige. “Letter to the Editor: Nurses and Caregivers Warn of Rising Senior Fraud.” Glendale Independent, 2025, https://www.glendaleindependent.com/.

• Anonymous. “Letter to the Editor: A Law Enforcement Perspective on Public Safety.” Orange County Register, 2025, https://www.ocregister.com/.

• Galvan, Helen. “Letter to the Editor: Elder Scammers Need to Be Held Accountable.” Santa Maria Times, 2025, https://santamariatimes.com/.

• Hall, Rebecca. “Letter to the Editor: Seniors Need Stronger Consumer Protections.” Turlock Journal, October 13, 2025, https://www.turlockjournal.com/.

• VanHook, Marcus. “Op-Ed: Reflecting on the Legacy of President Obama.” San Francisco Examiner, 2025, https://www.sfexaminer.com/.

• Galvan, Helen. “Op-Ed: Veterans Are Increasingly Targeted by Sophisticated Scams.” California Observer, 2025, https://www.californiaobserver.com/.

• DeCou, Cathy. “Op-Ed: Kidnapping Scams Exploit Fear and Demand Stronger Oversight.” Daily Pilot, 2025, https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot.

• Goldman, Brian. “AI Won’t Replace Lawyers – But Lawyers Using AI Will Replace Those Who Don’t.” California Business Journal, December 10, 2025.

• “Policy Pulse Inc. Launches AI-Powered Solution to Accelerate Policy Analysis and Tracking.” Yahoo Finance (press release), November 13, 2024.

• “New AI-Powered Solution to Accelerate Energy Policy Analysis and Tracking — Policy Pulse Inc.” Alt Energy Mag, August 25, 2025.

• “Troubled Chiquita Canyon Landfill Will Cease Accepting Trash in 2025.” Los Angeles Times, December 31, 2024.

• Sabalow, Ryan. “A Burning California Landfill Has Made Neighbors Miserable for 3 Years. Can Lawmakers Help?” CalMatters, March 14, 2025.

• “Val Verde Residents Say Nearby Toxic Chiquita Canyon Landfill Is Making Them Sick.” FOX 11 Los Angeles, May 30, 2025.

• “Residents Near Chiquita Canyon Landfill Still Impacted.” Spectrum News 1, April 29, 2025. 

• “Ya No Se Aguantaba el Mal Olor’, Habitantes Celebran Cierre de Vertedero de Chiquita Canyon.” Univision 34 Los Angeles (KMEX), January 2, 2025.

Happy Holidays from the JCI Team!