Staff Updates
Anthony Nguyen
Policy Advisor
Adam Tallabas
District Director
This week, I met with the Friends of the University Park Library of Irvine! Our office will always be strong supporters of our public library system and ensuring free access to library services and locations. With the City of Irvine pulling out of the Orange County Public Library system this year, we continue to listen to our Irvine residents and help manage the transition at Irvine’s 3 OCPL locations (with 1 of them being within the Fifth District.)
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Morgan Goldstein
District Representative
This week, I shared updates regarding Vice Chair Foley’s Nitrous Oxide Ban Ordinance to the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Aliso Viejo City Council. Having gone into effect on January 25th, this ordinance addresses the alarming rise in the sale and recreational abuse of Nitrous Oxide – also known as “NOX” or “laughing gas.” If you see Nitrous Oxide canisters for sale at stores across the county – whether at a smoke shop, a liquor store, or a costume closet – call our office at (714) 834-3550 or visit bit.ly/noxoc to report it.
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Robbie Labounty
District Representative
Abby Paulson
District Associate
Happy Friday, D5! Over the weekend, Olivia and I shared county health resources and our office updates on public safety with 500 Orange County residents at CalOptima’s Community Event in Laguna Niguel. I enjoyed connecting with Laguna Niguel families and residents on the work we do to protect your neighborhoods with e-bike regulations and support public health with our latest ordinance banning NOX, as well as hearing about the concerns and needs of our community. Please reach out to our office at (714) 834-3550 or email Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com if you need assistance.
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Airport Commission Update
At the March 5, 2025 Airport Commission meeting, Commission members recommended approval of one contract item and one operating license, and elected the 2025 Commission Vice Chair. You can watch the meeting video recording and read more about these items by visiting the Airport Commission page.
RainSmart Rebates Program
This week, my office met with SOCWMA to announce their exciting new The H2OC RainSmart Rebates Pilot Program provides incentives and assistance for property owners to transition their landscaping to garden friendly Orange County Plants. Benefits of native plants include reduced water use, improved rainwater collection, lower costs, and protected OC waterways. Learn more about RainSmart rebates you qualify for here.
Join the Orange County Ethics Commission
District 5 is seeking a qualified individual to serve on the Ethics Commission, which oversees the County's Campaign Reform, Lobbyist Registration, Gift Ban Ordinances, and Code of Ethics.
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Must be a registered voter.
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Cannot hold any elected or appointed public office.
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Must not have been an elected official, lobbyist, candidate, public agency head, or Grand Juror in the last 10 years.
- No felony or misdemeanor convictions involving dishonesty or election law violations.
Make a difference in ensuring transparency and accountability in Orange County!
OCTA Recruiting for Accessible Transit Advisory Committee
Accessible Transit Advisory Committee (ATAC) advises OCTA about issues that relate to OCTA fixed-route transit and paratransit services for customers with special transportation needs. The Accessible Transit Advisory Committee was originally formed in 1992 in response to the Americans with Disabilities Act and formalized the predecessor “504 Committee.”
Each year, as terms of various members expire, a recruitment process is conducted to fill vacant positions on the ATAC. Applications will be accepted for the 2025-2026 Accessible Transit Advisory Committee spring of 2025.
Share Your Input on the County of Orange Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget by April 15
The County of Orange invites you to share your input on the CEO Recommended Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget. Your feedback is essential in shaping the budget process.
Share Your Comments by April 15
Now is the time to provide public feedback before the budget is finalized. You can share your feedback at regularly scheduled Board of Supervisor meetings or submit your comments online:
Attend Upcoming Budget Events
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Public Workshop | May
- Meet our Budget & Finance Team for an overview of the recommended budget.
- Ask questions and share your thoughts.
- More details coming soon!
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FY 2025-26 Public Budget Hearing | June 10
- The Board of Supervisors will review the budget.
- You’ll have the opportunity to provide comments directly.
- This takes place at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
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You don’t have to wait! You can submit your questions or feedback anytime.
We appreciate your participation and look forward to hearing from you!
Public Safety Update
OC Public Works E-Bike Safety Tips:
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Purchase e-bikes produced by known manufacturers with standard safety features (e.g. motor-interrupt brake levers, class sticker, reflectors, etc.).
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BEFORE RIDING: Wear an approved helmet & check your tires, brake, handlebar, and motor. Take extra care before you decide to ride at night. Use reflective gear and lights to make yourself more visible.
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WHILE RIDING: Understand the rules for e-bikes in your area, watch for obstacles and speed limits, & yield to pedestrians.
Dana Point Festival of Whales
Join us as we come together to celebrate the majesty of the sea and create lasting memories at the Dana Point Festival of Whales at Dana Point Harbor! Learn more here.
A Message From The Marina at Dana Point
The new year brings continued revitalization efforts in the harbor with the commercial core moving into the next phase of the landside project. This very exciting and much anticipated ongoing progress will implement a temporary detour for the harbor entrance at Golden Lantern. Effective Monday, January 13, 2025 and for the duration of the detour, Boater Lot 1 and the commercial areas of the harbor can be accessed by way of Casitas Pl. Please see map below for details of the detour:
 The detour is expected to be in effect through May/June 2025. Please click here for more information.
All Dana Point Harbor shops, restaurants and excursions will remain fully open and operating.
Please contact the marina office with any questions, (949) 496-6137.
Health News
Measles Information
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) confirmed a case of measles in an infant returning home to OC following international travel on February 19, 2025.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe illness such as pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death, especially young kids who are not protected. Common symptoms include fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes and it spreads very easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person. People are contagious from approximately four days before the rash begins through four days after the rash appears. Immunization provides the best protection. For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles or www.ochealthinfo.com/measles.
OC Health Care Agency COVID-19 Update
Reduce transmission and protect vulnerable populations such as seniors, those younger than one-year-old, and those with severe medical conditions. For more information, please visit the OCHCA website at https://ochealthinfo.com/covid.
Order your for free at home test kits: Order your tests here.
Free Naloxone Deliveries in Orange County - FentanylSolution.org
In partnership with CalOptima, FentanylSolution.org is proud to offer free deliveries of Naloxone (8mg Kloxxado) -- an over-the-counter nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses -- at absolutely no-cost to all residents and businesses across Orange County.
Transportation News
Youth Ride Free Bus Passes
The pass provides youth aged 6 to 18 with free travel on safe, clean and reliable buses. Youth Ride Free passes are available from your child's participating Orange County school. Parent signature is required. REQUEST A PASS
Transit Employee Appreciation Day March 18
On March 18, we celebrate Transit Employee Appreciation Day. Thank you to the hardworking professionals on the road and behind the scenes who keep Orange County moving.
Skip traffic and parking hassles and ride Metrolink to the Swallows Day Parade and Mercado on Saturday March 22. The parade route is a short 10-minute walk from the station. OCTA is offering a sweepstakes for a chance to win Metrolink tickets that runs from March 3 - 22, 2025.
OCTA Free Hikes & Equestrian Rides
Lace up your hiking shoes or saddle up your horse, and sign up for a free hike or equestrian ride today. Come see Orange County as it was yesterday, and as it will be tomorrow.
State and Federal Resources Updates
 A Message From Representative Lou Correa
Important news from Washington: The IRS has announced plans to issue a special payment for qualifying taxpayers who didn't receive a stimulus check or claim their Recovery Rebate Credit. Each taxpayer who didn't claim this credit when filing their 2021 tax return is eligible for up to $1,400 as a result of this special payment.
Most of the 1 million taxpayers who qualify won’t need to take any action to receive these payments. The IRS began issuing payments last month to eligible individuals who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns, and expects all payments to be received by late January 2025. However, those who didn’t file a 2021 tax return may be eligible to claim the credit and receive a refund if they file by the April 15 deadline.
My office is always here to help—if you have any questions, we can lend a hand. You can give us a call at (714) 559-6190 or visit my webpage at www.correa.house.gov.
Hey Costa Mesa, ready to see your skate park vision come to life? 🛹
March 12, we’ll be showing off the designs YOU helped shape, and enjoy a free meal on us! Don’t miss it! 😎💯
JWA’s Pays Tribute to Orange County Heritage
John Wayne Airport’s new Destination Gallery exhibit welcomes visitors and locals alike with a taste of OC’s rich local history. This celebration of the Kellogg Garden Products and the Heritage Museum of Orange County’s 100-year anniversary pays tribute to those who lived here before us and inspires today’s residents to create our Orange County heritage.
Apply for the SCAG Scholarship!
The annual 2025 SCAG Scholarship Program is now open; applications will be accepted through Friday, March 21, 2025. The program, in partnership with the California Transportation Foundation, provides nine $4,000 scholarship awards for high school or community college students from the SCAG region. Students in any field of study are invited to apply; however, preference is given to applications that demonstrate a commitment to community planning, regional planning, urban planning, civil engineering, political science, public administration, sustainable development, or other related fields.
Pet of the Week
Meet Pet of the Week, Gina!
Zora is looking for a fresh start! She's a cool and confident cattle dog mix who knows what she wants, and what she wants most is to find her forever home!
Some of Zora's favorite things are receiving belly rubs, playing tug, and splashing in the kiddie pool! She's already mastered her basic commands like sit, shake, stay, and down, and she's currently working on dropping the ball while playing fetch. Her big love for toys works as a great motivator for learning new manners and skills!
Zora would love an adopter who has experience handling strong and energetic dogs. With structure and consistency, she will become the well-mannered best friend she's meant to be! Give Zora (A1813131) a chance and visit her at OC Animal Care today!
Please visit our Pet Adoptions page to see more adoptable pets.
Support OCMA
Support Your Orange County Museum of Art, which makes art accessible to all through free admission! Click here to donate.
Foster Pets with OC Animal Care
Email ocacprograms@occr.ocogv.com today to be a foster hero!
Book Your Whale-Watching Tour & Watch Marine Life in the Wild!
See giant blue whales, finback whales, gray whales and many more in their natural habitat while whale watching in Newport Beach! Newport Whales offers some of the best whale watching California has to offer! Visit www.newportwhales.com & make your reservations.
San Clemente Chamber of Commerce's Environmental Education Program:
Second Harvest Food Bank Walk To Feed OC
 Second Harvest Food Bank invites the community to Walk to Feed OC and join our mission to provide dignified, equitable and consistent access to nutritious food for all in Orange County. This free, fun event opens at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Learn more here.
Westwind Sailing Spring and Summer Registration is Open!
OC Workforce One-Stop: OPEN NOW!
Ready Set OC offers no-cost employment training for Orange County youth ages 14-24. To find out more information, call the OC Business and Economic Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500 or text (657) 210-1295. Email info@readysetoc.com
OC Public Libraries: California State Parks Pass Program
OC Public Libraries is partnering with California State Parks and the California State Library to offer free State Parks vehicle-day use passes, available for circulation at all branches of public libraries in California. Click here to learn more about the program.
Bulky Item Disposal
Are you an Orange County resident trying to dispose of bulky items like old refrigerators and appliances but not sure how? For information on local haulers and recycling coordinators visit OCLandfills.com/quick-links.
BenefitsCal
Orange County officially switched over to a new benefits enrollment portal called BenefitsCal. Households interested in applying for benefits assistance can now create an account at www.BenefitsCal.com and submit their application or link their old MyBenefitsCalWIN case to their account. For more information about BenefitsCal, including new features and capabilities, click here.
 
Alert OC
Sign up for AlertOC to get notified in case of emergency in Orange County. The mass notification system is designed to keep Orange County residents and businesses informed in the event of a time-sensitive emergency. YOU MUST OPT IN TO RECEIVE ALERTS. Register today at this link!
Committee Appointments
If you have questions or comments that you'd like to share, in relation to the committees below, please email me at Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com
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