June 2026 Round Up

June marks the beginning of summer with the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere – and as daylight lingers for longer and the sun sets later, we take advantage by celebrating with outdoor and cultural festivities.

Here in California, we experienced the season’s shift as we welcomed the 2026 FIFA World Cup and visitors from near and far to our San Francisco and Los Angeles stadiums. As one of the states with two host cities, the Golden State was immersed in the energy and excitement of the competition, as tourists and locals alike came together to cheer on their home countries with pride and joy. I was proud to cheer on Team USA from the group stage all the way to the Round of 16 matches.

California was part of history in the making because, for the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup hosted by three nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Beyond sports, June is a celebratory month for community and camaraderie, as it is also when we celebrate Pride Month and Immigrant Heritage Month, as well as holidays like Father’s Day and Juneteenth.

With optimism and gratitude,  

Eleni Kounalakis
Lieutenant Governor of California

Celebrating Italy’s National Day

This year marked 80 years since the Italian people gathered on June 2, 1946, amongst the ashes of fascism and World War II, and chose to build a new country, founded on democracy and the rule of law. On that day, Italy joined the community of nations whose people aspired to have a government that treated all people as equal. Now, this day is celebrated annually as Italy’s National Day, or Festa della Repubblica.

Meeting with the Georgian Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs and Delegation

This month, I was privileged to meet with a delegation of officials from Georgia, including Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, Deputy Foreign Minister, Khatuna Totladze, and Ambassador to the United States, Tamar Talisashvili. We discussed deepening our international partnerships and strengthening bilateral ties between Georgia and California, especially as the delegation came to inaugurate the new Georgian Consulate General facility and a new Georgian Innovation Hub.

Kicking Off FIFA World Cup with a Host Country Scarf Exchange

No event brings the world together with as much fun and camaraderie as the FIFA World Cup. This year, the United States, along with Mexico and Canada, co-hosted 48 nations who competed to be considered the best football team. The First World Cup was held in 1930 in Montevideo, Uruguay, and the United States fielded a team that did quite well, placing 3rd after losing the semifinal to Argentina. Nearly 100 years later, the world, and the game, have grown and changed so much, but the tradition of unity through sport continues. That spirit of camaraderie was alive and well at the FIFA Scarf exchange, which, as the Lieutenant Governor of the state hosting 14 matches, I was proud to participate in.

Celebrating Consular Corp Reception

I attended the last annual Consular Corps reception hosted by Governor Newsom in his final term year. It has been an honor these past seven and a half years to serve as Governor Newsom’s Representative for International Affairs and Trade Development. This event provided a moment to celebrate how California has expanded its international partnerships and diplomatic leadership to make the Golden State a respected player on the global stage –  which I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of. 

Cheering on Team USA at the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup Match

I was thrilled to see our U.S. Men’s National Team take on Paraguay in our first World Cup match of 2026. It was the most exciting game of soccer – or football, as our international guests would say – that I have ever watched, and I was so proud of our team and how they performed. They worked together to achieve something greater than the sum of their parts, giving us a chance to cheer on our country alongside our countrymen. It is my sincere hope that these games will help stamp out the dark cloud of division that recently shrouded our globe and reignite the wonderful beacons of unity, peace and prosperity that were lit all those years ago and for which we continue to fight to preserve. 

$11.5B Housing Affordability Bond (SB 417) Move Forward to the November Ballot

On June 25, Governor Newsom signed SB 417, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Limón and Speaker Rivas, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026. With the Governor’s signature, this $11.25 billion housing affordability bond will be on the November 2026 ballot.

I am proud to have supported SB 417 in the Legislative process. California’s housing challenges demand bold action and sustained collaboration. SB 417 reflects our shared commitment to creating more affordable homes, expanding pathways to homeownership, and ensuring that those who have served our country have greater opportunities to achieve the dream of owning a home.

You may find more information about this bill here.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office Strengthens California’s Global Partnerships

This month, staff from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor office advanced California’s global leadership by attending the inauguration of the Georgia Innovation Hub in San Francisco; delivering remarks at the 8th U.S.-China Sister Cities Summit and the Portugal National Day Reception in San Francisco; and participating in the CalChamber/Host Committee International Forum in Sacramento. Together, these engagements reinforced California’s commitment to international cooperation, innovation, and shared economic prosperity.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office Joins June State Lands Commission Meeting

Our office attended this month’s State Lands Commission meeting in San Francisco. During the meeting, the Commission authorized 50 leases for the use of public lands and resources, approved a 4-year agreement to hold fallow subsurface estate in exchange for tribal partnership to develop a public educational program about the cultural history and cultural impacts of the lands being protected, and approved three geophysical survey permits, along with other actions. A full summary of the meeting’s highlights and decisions is available here.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office Attends the First Meeting of the California Education Interagency Council  

Our office attended the inaugural meeting of the California Education Interagency Council, a new statewide partnership established by AB 1098 (Fong). Led by Executive Director Debbie Cochrane, the Council brings together leaders from California’s education, business, labor, and finance sectors to strengthen collaboration, break down silos, and help ensure the state’s education and workforce system supports a thriving economy. By aligning efforts across sectors, the Council aims to build on the success that has made California the world’s fourth-largest economy.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office Attends the Border Region Plastic Pollution Roundtable hosted by the California Regional Water 

The roundtable brought together state and community representatives to share information and discuss opportunities to reduce single-use plastics under SB 54. This bill established a new extended producer responsibility (EPR) program to manage packaging and single-use plastics, and the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund, which requires plastics manufacturers to pay $500 million annually for 10 years to fund the repair of ecosystems and communities most impacted by plastic pollution. SB 54 will shift the burden of plastic pollution mitigation from consumers to producers, which is a great step forward for everyday Californians.