September 2025 Round-Up
As September comes to a close, I am proud to reflect on a month of celebration, remembrance, and standing together across California. We honored Latino Heritage Month, recognizing the strength, resilience, and lasting contributions of these communities, which are central to California’s past, present, and future.
On Labor Day, we celebrated the hardworking people who fuel our state’s prosperity and reaffirmed our dedication to safe workplaces, fair wages, and opportunity for upward mobility. We also celebrated California’s leadership in agriculture. From the Central Valley to the coast, our farms provide roughly half of the nation’s fruits, nuts, and vegetables. In 2024, California’s agricultural production surpassed $61 billion for the first time, sustaining jobs, driving innovation, and supporting communities across the state.
This month, we paused to remember the lives lost on September 11th and reflected on the courage and compassion that emerged in the face of tragedy. We also stood together against harmful policies from the Trump Administration, where ICE agents continue to target people based on language, skin color, or occupation. These are actions that are unjust and unacceptable. California will never stop defending the rights, dignity, and safety of all our residents, and we remain committed to standing up against all forms of discrimination.
As we move into the fall, I remain inspired by the strength, creativity, and resilience of Californians across every corner of our state. Together, we will continue to build stronger communities, protect our resources, and ensure opportunities for all who call California home.
Eleni Kounalakis
Lieutenant Governor of California
Celebrating California Workers
This Labor Day, I celebrated the hardworking Californians who keep our state thriving. I attended the San Francisco Labor Council’s Pre-Labor Day Breakfast, an annual kickoff event that brings together union members, labor allies, and community colleagues to provide updates on efforts advancing labor rights and worker protections. As acting Governor, I also had the opportunity to proclaim Labor Day and recognize the generations of workers who built our state and strengthened our democracy. This day reminds us that when we stand together, every worker has the chance to succeed, and I am proud to celebrate California’s workforce.
Read the Full Proclamation.
Breaking Ground for Health Innovation
I joined Gilead Sciences in Foster City for the groundbreaking of their new Pharmaceutical Development & Manufacturing Technical Development Center. This state-of-the-art facility will create over 3,000 jobs and generate more than $43 billion in economic value nationwide. California continues to lead in health innovation, from life-saving treatments for HIV, hepatitis, and cancer, to equitable job growth. I am proud to see our state fostering opportunities for workers and advancing cutting-edge research. This project is another example of California, where innovation meets impact.
APAPA Policy Summit
I attended the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Policy Summit at Sacramento State University and spoke at the VIP Reception. The event brought together students, interns, community leaders, and nonprofit advocates to talk about why getting involved in our government and elections matters. I shared how voting, volunteering, and speaking up can make a real difference, especially for young people and the AAPI community. Events like this remind us that when we all participate, we make our democracy stronger. I left inspired by the energy and ideas in the room and I am proud to support the next generation of California leaders.
California Turns 175!
In September, I celebrated California’s 175th birthday at the Sacramento History Museum, learning about our state’s history and printing press techniques from Jared Jones and Howard Hatch. Since joining the Union on September 9, 1850, California has grown from the Gold Rush era to becoming a global leader in innovation and opportunity. From Hollywood to Silicon Valley and protecting our coastlines to clean energy leadership, our state continues to dream big. I encourage everyone to visit the Sacramento History Museum to explore California’s roots. Happy 175th Birthday, California!
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I visited University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Benioff Children’s Hospital at Mission Bay. I saw firsthand the world-class care and groundbreaking research leading the fight against pediatric cancer. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death for kids ages 1–14, but survival rates are improving thanks to California’s leadership in research and treatment. As acting Governor, I also had the opportunity to proclaim Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and reaffirm our commitment to supporting families, honoring brave children, and working toward a cure. We thank the UCSF team for their ongoing dedication and compassion for our communities.
Read the Full Proclamation.
Charging Ahead: California EV Milestone
California surpassed 200,000 publicly available EV charging ports, more than the number of gas pumps statewide. Since March, we added over 22,600 chargers, and now 94% of Californians live within 10 minutes of an EV charger. This milestone demonstrates that electric vehicles are here to stay and that California is leading in clean energy innovation.
Ocean Protection Council Updates
In September, I participated in the Ocean Protection Council meeting, where we advanced important work to safeguard California’s coast and ocean. We approved grant distributions that will fund projects addressing sea level rise, research on harmful algal blooms, tribal and environmental justice initiatives, and the reintroduction of the sunflower sea star. The Ocean Protection Council plays a vital role in ensuring California’s ocean and coastal ecosystems remain healthy and resilient for generations to come.
CSU Board of Trustees Updates
The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees gathered for its September meeting, where the systemwide strategic plan was unveiled. This plan will guide CSU’s decision-making in the years ahead, shaping the future of one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country. We also approved the 2026–27 operating budget. As a member of the governing boards for all three of California’s higher education systems, I remain deeply committed to ensuring that every student has access to an affordable, high-quality education.