11780 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito CA 94530 510-231-8686 
eUpdate - December 31, 2017

My 2017 year-end reflections 
Local activism provides hope for 2018
This has been a rough year for our democracy.
 
Many of the rights, freedoms, and ideals which our country is based on are threatened by Presidential leadership that regularly stands against a free press, equality, tolerance, science, facts, refugees, immigrants, the Muslim faith. To name a few.
 
The hate and divisiveness of the Presidential election have continued into 2017.

But despite the negatives of 2017, I see great hope in the activism, hard work and compassion of local residents creating meaningful, positive change here in Contra Costa County and across California. 
 
By working together resisting the President's agenda we've achieved important successes this year. Here's just a few:
  • We ended the practice of assessing and collecting unfair fees on families of youth in juvenile hall.
  • We expanded healthcare for families in Contra Costa regardless of their immigration status.
  • We broke the gender and racial barrier by appointing Judge Diana Becton as the first female and first African American District Attorney in our county's history.
  • We're protecting families in Contra Costa from being torn apart by implementing a rapid response program to support immigrant families facing imminent threat of deportation.
  • At the California Air Resources Board, we passed and are implementing California's blueprint (master plan) to fight Climate Change and air pollution.

I'm proud to have worked with so many others on these progressive accomplishments. 

 
As 2017 comes to an end, we could easily feel disillusioned by national politics. But let's resist this! Let's not let the negative political environment diminish our spirit and energy to continue fighting for the true principles of democracy--for justice, equality, fairness, facts, equity and inclusion. 
 
Our collective efforts make me hopeful for 2018.

Happy New Year!


Sincerely,
John  
John Gioia
Supervisor, District One 
Contra Costa County 
11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D 
El Cerrito, CA  94530 
510-231-8686 Phone