Dawn Digest: December 2025
This holiday season, affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges for families across the Central Coast. This is why I continue to work to lower costs, expand opportunity, and help make our state a place where every family can thrive.
Stay up to date on my latest work, initiatives, and ways I'm supporting our communities by reading more below.
Yours in solidarity,
Dawn Addis
Chair, Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health
Assemblymember, 30th District
$700,000+ Restored to Central Coast Families
(L-R) Andrea Chmelik - District Director, Dawn Addis - State Assemblymember, Jen Ford - Senior Field Representative, Mauricio Arias - Field Representative, Alexis Garcia Arrazola - Communications Director
My District Office staff work every day to make life better for the nearly half a million people I represent along the Central Coast. One of the most important things my team does is help put money back into residents' pockets. In 2025 alone, we successfully assisted in restoring over $700,000 owed to community members from state departments. If you see my staff out in the community, please take a moment to thank them for the hard work they do every day. If you need help with a state-related issue, don't hesitate to send our team a request!
Your Voice in the Capitol
Pushing for Utility Ratepayer Protections
When for-profit energy utility companies delay interconnection (the process of approving a project's connection to the energy grid), regular people end up footing the bill. When projects cannot operate due to lack of interconnection, not only are services delayed, but costs can spiral upwards. Recently, I led a sign-on letter pushing the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to hold for-profit energy utilities accountable for missed interconnection deadlines. We must get projects across California back on track. Thank you to the 17 colleagues who joined me!
Bolstering Low-cost Public Transportation
(L-R) Mayor Carbone - Sand City, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, and Carl Sedoryk - MST General Manager / CEO
On November 10th, the Board of Directors of Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) passed and adopted a resolution recognizing my work to strengthen low-cost public transportation on the Central Coast.
Keeping public transportation strong in the face of federal attacks on transportation funding is vital. I authored AB 761 to ensure Monterey County voters have the choice to renew or adjust local transit funding without excessive barriers. The Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) District provides low-cost transportation services to veterans, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and others commuting in Monterey County. AB 761, recently signed by the Governor, promotes local control and helps keep transit affordable, reliable, and accessible. Thank you, MST, for the recognition!
The Central Coast in Action
Chair's Corner: California Legislative Central Coast Caucus
As Co-Chair of the California Legislative Central Coast Caucus (CLCCC), I am proud of our advocacy and action!
Central Coast Legislators Unified Against Offshore Oil Drilling
"The consequences of expanding offshore oil drilling will be far-reaching, jeopardizing our coastal communities, state economy, and national interests. Therefore, we urge you to remove California from the federal administration's offshore drilling expansion proposal."
Our California Legislative Central Coast Caucus led a sign-on letter urging U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to remove California from the Trump Administration's proposal to expand offshore oil drilling. Thank you to the many colleagues across the legislature who joined us! Stay tuned for more actions this year.
Celebrating the new State Senate President pro Tempore from the Central Coast!
(L-R) Diane Zannotti - Representative Panetta's Office, Mayor Stewart - San Luis Obispo, Mayor Bourbeau - Atascadero, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Senate Pro Tem Limón, Mayor Dee - Grover Beach, Mayor Pro Tem Secrest - Arroyo Grande, Clint Weirrick - State Senator Laird's Office, Mayor Hamon - Paso Robles, and Mayor Waage - Pismo Beach.
Congratulations to former California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Vice-Chair, State Senator Monique Limón, on being elected the 50th President pro Tempore for California! I have enjoyed leading the CLCCC alongside her and am proud to see Pro Tem Limón bring Central Coast values to her leadership in the State Senate. She and I recently attended the San Luis Obispo County "Mayorsgiving" lunch to learn about the successes and challenges facing cities across the county. Thank you, Mayor Dee of Grover Beach, for organizing such an engaging meeting!
Labor Leaders: Union Strong for Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties
(L-R) Francisco Rodriguez - Director, Casey Van Den Heuvel - VP, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Daniel Dodge - President, and Debbie Narvaez - Executive VP
As a third-generation union member, I know that strong unions are the backbone of the middle class. During my time in the legislature, I have been proud to work alongside working people to raise fast-food and health care minimum wages, protect in-home support services funding, invest in childcare, and more. Our fights continue, and I will always stand as a strong union advocate. Recently, I had breakfast with Executive Board Members and staff of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council to hear about their local efforts. I thank these labor partners who fight every day for better working conditions, wages, and opportunities for Central Coast families. This year, I was honored to be named a Worker Warrior by SEIU.
Coastal Mayors: Celebrating Hospitality in Monterey County
(L-R) Mayor Byrne - Carmel, Mayor Williamson - Monterey, Mayor Oglesby - Seaside, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Mayor Carbone - Sand City, and Mayor Donaldson - Del Rey Oaks.
I recently joined mayors from across Monterey County to celebrate award recipients for recognizing their excellence in collaboration, heart, spirit, leadership, and resilience in the hospitality industry at the 36th Annual Hospitality Recognition Luncheon. The luncheon recognizes those who work day in and day out to ensure our hospitality industry is strong, vibrant, and an asset to our local economy. Don't miss these videos of the award winners on my Instagram or Facebook .
Food Bank Staff and Volunteers: Serving our Community in San Luis Obispo County
While the federal administration cuts back on support for those most in need, California's food banks are stepping up with funding support from the California legislature. This month, my team and I went to the California Valley Community Center - Neighborhood Food Distribution site to volunteer with the SLO County Food Bank. We packed and distributed fresh produce and nutritious groceries to dozens of families in need. I'm deeply grateful to all who sustain our food banks.
Independent journalism is critical to a strong democracy. I am honored to have my legislative work featured by news outlets across our state. I hope you will check out some of our recent coverage.
- California Leaders Blast Trump's Offshore Drilling Plan That Includes 2 Central Coast Leases
- New Study: Moss Landing Battery Fire Dumped 55,000 Pounds of Toxic Metals Into Wildlife-Rich Marshes
- California State University Employee Union Criticizes Presidential Salary Increases
PS - my last newsletter made an incorrect statement about voter turnout for Proposition 50 by stating "Californians" rather than "Californians who voted". For up to date elections information please check the Secretary of State website.
This newsletter was finalized on December 10, 2025.