Dear Neighbor,

As we near the end of this year, we reflect on the past twelve months and how our lives changed because of the pandemic. We learned to interact with our family and friends, and conduct activities such as shopping, dining and exercising differently.

You have made sacrifices and done your part to keep our communities safer by following public health safety protocols.

Thank you to all my constituents who worked tirelessly throughout the year to assist those in need by donating their time and money to local food banks, homeless shelters and other organizations.

My staff has continued to work during this public health crisis in areas, such as legislation, EDD issues, veterans concerns, food distributions, backpack giveaways and many other areas during the pandemic. 

We pursued a legislative agenda based on improving the safety of District 32 communities, the lives of military families and veterans, the environment and more.

Each senator was asked to limit his or her bill package due to the stresses of the pandemic. I limited my bill package to five bills, and I am happy to report that Governor Newsom signed all of them. My bills focused on helping our veterans, increasing the public safety in our communities, and protecting our environment.

As we head into 2021, there is still work to be done, and my colleagues and I, with the help of our respective staffs, will do what is best to meet the needs of all Californians.

God bless,

Senator Bob Archuleta
Thirty-Second Senate District

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This year, the need to conduct food and toy giveaways was a greater one because of the pandemic. With the help of donations from our generous sponsors, my staff and I were to provide meals, toys and gift cards to those living in the district who need a helping hand this holiday season.

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No office visit required for eligible drivers 70 and older until further notice

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is now offering Californians who are 70 and older the option to renew their noncommercial driver's license online. Licenses that expire beginning March 1, 2020, and throughout the COVID-19 emergency are eligible, including REAL ID renewals. A mail-in option will be available in the coming weeks.  Most drivers 69 and younger can also renew at dmv.ca.gov - even if their renewal notice states they must come to an office.

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The ability for senior drivers to renew online is the latest action to help Californians avoid or delay a DMV office visit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DMV continues to streamline its processes to limit the time customers spend at an office. Customers applying for a REAL ID are encouraged to fill out the online application and upload the required documents before they come to the office for expedited service.

The DMV recommends that customers use its online services, expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver's license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

     - Courtesy of CA Department of Motor Vehicles

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Regional Stay at Home Orders require Californians to stay at home as much as possible, close operations for certain sectors and require 100 percent masking and physical distancing.

Schools currently open can remain open and retailers can operate indoors at no more than 20 percent capacity to reduce exposure risk.

New order is a modification of the state's initial Stay at Home Order signed in March and builds on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

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The holiday season is a time where some people in our community feel extra stress, lonely and depressed. Unfortunately, this year the number of people experiencing these feelings is greater because of the pandemic.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has a list of resources for those who need assistance with mental health wellness.

For information, log onto the Department of Mental Health website.

Apply for Veteran health care benefits

The VA processes health care claims within a week. If more than a week has passed since you submitted your application and you haven't heard back, please don't apply again. Call them at 877-222-8387.

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My Christmas greeting this year, although hopeful, must acknowledge the suffering so many of our families and friends have endured because of the pandemic.

In the spirit of the holiday season, we must continue to support one another, whether by continuing to adhere to the county and state safety measures against the spread of the coronavirus, or on a more personal level through a phone call or a video chat to family and friends.  

This holiday message reminds all of us to come together to move toward a better and brighter new year in 2021.

Although differently, we can still observe Christmas with love and kindness for all as we continue to wear our masks, handwashing, and practice physical distancing.