Overview: Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson hosted a virtual “State of the 60th District” event on Dec. 11 to review his accomplishments, goals for 2025, and answer questions from community members. He highlighted the passing of seven bills in September as the chair of the Select Committee on California’s Mental Health Crisis, including Assembly Bill 672, which will expand the authority of the Civil Rights Department to offer assistance to help resolve disputes related to discriminatory practices. Dr. Jackson outlined five focus areas he plans to address in 2025, including seniors, child homelessness, child poverty, examining “21st century pathways of opportunity” and being “the best employee for the people of the 60th Assembly District.”
Breanna Reeves
As California assembly members and representatives prepare to convene for the start of the official legislative session on January 3, 2025, Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson addressed his previous accomplishments and goals for the upcoming year.
Dr. Jackson represents the 60th district which includes the cities of Moreno Valley, Perris, San Jacinto and Hemet, among others. Dr. Jackson hosted a “State of the 60th District” on Dec. 11, where he reviewed his accomplishments, goals for 2025, and answered questions from community members.
“You should not be honored that I’m your assembly member. I should be honored that I get to work for you,” Dr. Jackson said. “I’m going to do absolutely everything that I can to make you proud and to deliver real, tangible results that will help us to all have an opportunity to thrive.”
One notable accomplishment Jackson highlighted was the passing of seven bills in September as the chair of the Select Committee on California’s Mental Health Crisis. One of the bills passed, Assembly Bill 672, was authored by Dr. Jackson. AB 672 will expand the authority of the Civil Rights Department to allow them into communities and offer assistance to help resolve disputes related to discriminatory practices, upon the request of a state or local public body, or upon the request of any person directly affected.
Dr. Jackson addressed community concerns such as repairs on the 215 freeway. He explained that he met with the secretary of transportation and they are preparing for $27.5 million worth of improvements for the 215 freeway, which is paid for through the gas tax. More repairs are expected to occur until 2026.
“Twenty twenty-five is going to be better than this year, but we’re still going to have some challenges next year. We still have not completely solved all the crises that we have in California, and so we still have work to do,” Dr. Jackson said. “I will continue to sign up for the heavy lifting and the hard work that needs to be done.”
Dr. Jackson outlined five focus areas he plans to address in 2025: seniors, child homelessness, child poverty, examining “21st century pathways of opportunity” and being “the best employee for the people of the 60th Assembly District.”
He answered questions about some of these focus areas, including the expansion of the California Basic Income program for seniors. Earlier this year, Dr. Jackson secured $5 million for the expansion of the program for seniors. The challenge now, according to Dr. Jackson, is securing enough money so that every senior is taken care of.
“It’s my goal that between now and the next three years, that it becomes a $2 billion program so that we can continue to pump money to get them to the seniors who need it, where they can spend it on whatever they need,” Dr. Jackson said.
According to the California Department on Aging, in 2022, 508,351 seniors in Riverside County were aged 60 and older — 21% of the county’s population. Eleven percent live below the federal poverty line and 31% live with a disability.
While his goal is to find ways to financially support the program, Dr. Jackson recognized the state’s budget shortfalls and acknowledged that it’s going to “take us a while to get there.”
With regard to Assembly Bill 2556, one attendee asked Dr. Jackson, “How can faith-based organizations increase exposure for mental health screenings in the unincorporated areas?”
Dr. Jackson authored AB 2556 which requires a health care service plan or health insurer to provide enrollees with a written or electronic notice about the benefits of behavioral health and wellness screenings for adolescents, ages eight to 18 years old.
“The main thing is to make sure that we are creating literature to give to your parishioners, and making sure you’re speaking from the pulpit about the need to get mental health support, and that is nothing to be ashamed of,” Dr. Jackson responded.
“If you’re not ashamed to pray and ask God for help, you shouldn’t be ashamed to also get help that is provided in the community as well.”
As the new administration heads to the White House on Jan. 20, 2025, one attendee asked if Dr. Jackson could share any insights on mitigating any Project 2025 impacts.
Dr. Jackson explained that he is unsure about how he can plan mitigations around what may or may not be carried out under Project 2025. While Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special legislative session in order to take precautions ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office, Dr. Jackson shared that he thinks “we’re thinking of the worst of each other right now.”
“But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared,” Dr. Jackson continued.
“I’m not sure what to expect, but I will assure you we’ll be ready if we have to be. I hope we don’t have to be, but I think you probably already know that I generally don’t shy away from a good fight, especially when it’s in the cause of justice,” Dr. Jackson said. “If any shenanigans are happening from the federal government, you better believe I’ll be speaking out against it if I have to.”