On the Issues

Defending Our Most Vulnerable Citizens

Jim is a longtime advocate for our most vulnerable citizens, including foster youth and those with disabilities. He wrote the bill allowing youth in foster care to stay with their families through their college years, and he co-authored a bill that approves $300 million to shore up California’s commitment to people with developmental disabilities. In the State Senate, Jim has authored two major bills directed at improving outcomes for foster youth – including SB 484, which protects foster care youth from being overprescribed psychotropic drugs.

Fighting for Quality Education

Throughout his career in public service, Senator Jim Beall has made public education one of his top priorities. He has consistently fought for funding for public schools and worked to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education. He has also been an advocate for programs that benefit at-risk youth, the disabled and children with mental illnesses. He earned the Legislator of the Year from Special Education Local Plan Area Administrators (SELPA’s). In the State Senate, Jim has fought to bring our schools back from painful budget cuts, restore per-pupil funding, and increase access to preschool.

The Economy and Jobs

In the State Senate, Jim has led efforts to raise the minimum wage, expand affordable housing options, and attract quality jobs in Silicon Valley. Senator Beall has fought for pay equity, joining with the Women’s Caucus to pass the strongest equal pay law in the country, and he has supported strengthening California’s family leave policies.

Transforming Transportation for Silicon Valley

Senator Jim Beall has spent more than 30 years as an important advocate for major transportation improvements and projects across the Silicon Valley. He understands the importance that an all-inclusive transportation policy, balancing systems including roads, public transportation and rail, can have on the entire community by reducing traffic, managing growth and building a thriving economy. As chair of the Senate Transportation committee, Jim has brought Republicans to the table to address the $59 billion backlog in deferred maintenance for our roads, and he worked to guarantee long-term funding for the Cap & Trade program for projects like BART to San Jose.

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