California Political Desk
The California Political Desk provides information, news, and announcements obtained from governmental and communications offices throughout the Golden State.
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Articles by California Political Desk
September 03, 2010
OAKLAND, CA – In recognition of California Attorney General Jerry Brown´s record of strong and consistent support for women´s health issues, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League Pro-Choice California (NARAL Pro-Choice California), and Planned Parenthood Affiliates ...
September 03, 2010
San Francisco — Mayor Gavin Newsom today invited interested Housing Authority tenants to apply for two of the soon-to-be vacant Housing Authority Commission seats. These two members must be residents of San Francisco and be Housing Authority tenants, one of whom must be over 62 years of age (...
September 02, 2010
Coalition of Businesses & Mayors to Push for Extension of Successful Federal Stimulus Funding as New National Report Shows More than 250,000 Americans in 37 States Have Work Through Jobs Programs.
San Francisco — Mayor Gavin Newsom today joined local business leaders, employers and work...
September 02, 2010
Drunken driving and consumer and election protection bills clear Legislature.
Sacramento, CA – Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, marked the end of a successful 2010 legislative session Wednesday with a record that included the passage of 20 bills that he authored. The legislation tackles a r...
September 02, 2010
California´s youngest learners are one step closer to entering kindergarten prepared to learn and succeed after the state Legislature on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 1381 (Simitian, Steinberg), the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010. The bill now heads to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signa...
September 01, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate last week approved two bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to assist survivors of domestic violence. The bills will need the signature of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) to become law.
On a bipartisan 22-14 vote, the Senate ap...
September 01, 2010
Sacramento, CA – Legislation by Assemblyman Jerry Hill to increase the amount of money low-income Californians receive to retire smog-belching vehicles – from $1,000 to $1,500 – was approved last week by the Assembly and sent to the governor.
Assembly Bill 787 would be paid for by reducing the a...
September 01, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Supreme Court of the United States has set November 2, 2010 for oral arguments in the case involving California´s law to prevent the sale of excessively violent video games to children.
Last month, Attorney General Jerry Brown (D-Oakland) submitted the State of Calif...
September 01, 2010
SACRAMENTO- Assembly Bill 1050, a measure authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) that seeks to give children in domestic violence cases a chance to advocate on behalf of their own interests in court custody proceedings, was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. The bill passed ou...
September 01, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly passed legislation that would help reduce prison spending in California by allowing the medical parole of severely incapacitated inmates who no longer pose a threat to public safety. Senate Bill 1399, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), passed the As...
September 01, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) has signed legislation that will allow access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) highway lanes for the latest generation of low-emission vehicles – similar to a program that previously allowed some hybrid cars such access.
SB 535, au...
September 01, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to curb "pension spiking" in the state´s two largest pension systems has passed the Legislature. Senate Bill 1425, which pertains to the California Public Employees´ Retirement System and the California State T...
August 28, 2010
SACRAMENTO –Legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to protect the privacy of drivers using the FasTrak payment system for toll bridges and roads has passed the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor.
The legislation, Senate Bill 1268, protects "locational privac...
August 28, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The State of California failed to join the rest of the world in ending life sentences for juvenile offenders. On a 34-36 vote, the State Assembly killed Senate Bill 399 – The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco).
While SB 399 would not ha...
August 28, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 22-11 vote, the California Senate sent Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) legislation to safeguard children who enjoy California´s alpine sports: skiing and snowboarding.
SB 880, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), would require all ...
August 28, 2010
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jerry Hill´s legislation to correct a vehicle code drafting error and reduce by more than half fines for motorists who fail to make complete stops before turning right on red lights was approved today by a bi-partisan vote of the Assembly and sent to the governo...
August 26, 2010
Legislation by Assemblyman Jerry Hill to increase the penalty for pirate limousine drivers at San Francisco International Airport from a simple infraction to a misdemeanor passed out of the Assembly today and was sent to the governor.
Assembly Bill 1885 would increase the punishment for driv...
August 26, 2010
Corrective Measure Would Bring Equity To Fines That Have Skyrocketed With Red Light Cameras.
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jerry Hill´s legislation to correct a vehicle code drafting error and reduce by more than half fines for motorists who fail to make complete stops before turn...
August 26, 2010
San Francisco — Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced a partnership between San Francisco and Toyota to pilot the company´s state-of-the-art Prius plug-in hybrid demonstration program vehicles. The plug-in hybrids, coming to market in 2012, will operate as part of the city fleet in order to ...
August 26, 2010
New Pilot Program Will Increase California´s Health Care Workforce Capacity.
San Dimas, CA – Barbara Blake, RN, State Secretary for the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) commended California Assembly Speaker John A Pérez (D-Los Angeles...
August 25, 2010
Voters Would Be Able To Track Their Ballots Through County Election Offices.
Sacramento – Legislation by Assemblyman Jerry Hill to allow Californians who vote by mail to verify that their ballots were counted was unanimously approved by the Legislature today and sent to the governor.
...
August 22, 2010
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Das Williams has reported that his campaign for State Assembly has been endorsed by the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association (VCPFA).
CPF represents more than 30,000 rank-and-file firefighters and over 1...
August 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a measure designed to save young lives by acting as a curb to adults who knowingly provide underage teens with alcohol in the home.
The governor signed AB 2486 by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) after the measure – jointly sponsored b...
August 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – This week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) signed into law a bill authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to ensure that charter schools adhere to the state´s student speech and employee protection laws.
SB 438 is the latest in a series of laws authored...
August 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO, CA — SB 1211, legislation to prevent elected officials from collecting unemployment benefits after they lose or leave their public seats, passed off the Senate floor yesterday with a 33-1 vote. The bill is authored by Senators Gloria Romero (D – East Los Angeles) and Senator Bob D...
August 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly passed legislation that clarifies the religious freedom of clergy members in California. The Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), reaffirms the separation of church and state and clarifies under state law that no ...
August 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate passed the Separation Equity Act, AB 2700 authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), by a 26-9 bipartisan vote. Previously approved by the State Assembly, AB 2700 seeks to create a consolidated form and procedure to simultaneously dissolve a civil ...
August 21, 2010
(SACRAMENTO)—Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) today introduced urgency legislation to allocate funds recently approved by the United States Congress that will spare 16,500 California teachers, nurses, counselors, and classified employees from lay-offs in the coming yea...
August 18, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Legislation to allow courts to take a second look at cases involving juveniles sentenced to life without parole faces an uncertain fate this week in the California State Assembly.
Senate Bill 399 – The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) –...
August 18, 2010
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Education is making available an additional $487 million to schools throughout the state of California through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2010. Education Secretar...
August 16, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance) announced that the California Assembly gave final approval to AB 2365 (Lieu), a bill that protects California National Guard members and Reservists from financial obligations while they are deployed overseas.
Under current law, a Servicememb...
August 16, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature has taken an important step toward protecting victims of online impersonation, or e-personation, by passing Senate Bill 1411, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The bill would make it a misdemeanor to maliciously impersonate another person ...
August 16, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The State Assemblyapproved and sent to Gov. Schwarzenegger SB 933, legislation authored by Sen. Jenny Oropeza to ban retailers from imposing surcharges on those who use debit cards. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D- San Francisco), a proponent of the measure, presented the bill on the Assembly...
August 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking was unanimously approved by the California Assembly. In addition to the courts seizing property, the bill authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco)...
August 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 28-3 vote, the State Senate today approved legislation that would allow access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) highway lanes for the latest generation of low-emission vehicles – similar to a program that previously allowed some hybrid cars such access. Once received...
August 12, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the California Senate passed Assembly Bill 1656 with a bipartisan vote of 22-11. The bill, co-authored by Assemblymember Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), would require garments sold in California that are made of animal fur to say so on the l...
August 06, 2010
Business Technology Center may receive funding for technology business development program.
Washington, DC – Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has announced that the Financial Services Appropriations bill includes $112,000 for the Business Technology Center (BTC) of Los Angeles County. The funding ...
August 06, 2010
Chinatown Service Center may receive funding to support education, promote job placement.
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced that the Financial Services Appropriations bill includes $200,000 for the Chinatown Service Center (CSC) to expand its Health Career Academy t...
August 06, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 51-19 vote, the California State Assembly this week approved legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to ensure that charter schools adhere to state law protecting free speech rights of students. Earlier this year, the bill was approved unanimously i...
August 06, 2010
San Francisco, CA—Mayor Gavin Newsom signed twelve pieces of legislation approving and enabling the Hunters Point Shipyard Phase II - Candlestick Point Redevelopment project, the largest redevelopment project in San Francisco´s history.
"Today is a historic day for San Francisco and ...
July 31, 2010
As seen in today´s Los Angeles Times:
California Senate leader offers pathway out of budget stalemate
Steinberg's plan to raise most income taxes and vehicle fees but cut the sales tax is at least an effort, which is more than most of his colleagues have offered.
By George Skelton C...
July 31, 2010
San Francisco, CA— Mayor Gavin Newsom signed a balanced budget for San Francisco´s 2010-2011 fiscal year that invests in jobs, protects public safety, and preserves the City´s social safety net for the most vulnerable – without new general tax increases. The City´s final $6.5...
July 31, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Legislation that seeks to protect victims of rent skimming will be considered on the Senate Floor in August and comes on the heels of a recent rash of real estate fraud in the Inner Richmond District of San Francisco. AB 1800, authored by Assemblywoman Ma (D-San Francisco) and Assemblym...
July 30, 2010
LOS ANGELES - On Wednesday Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye is his choice for Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. If confirmed, Justice Cantil-Sakauye would be the first Filipino-American and the second woman to preside over the state's highest ...
July 30, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice), chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment and a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today introduced the bipartisan Next Generation Public Safety Device Act of 2010 ...
July 30, 2010
Legislation to Ensure Broad Application of Public Safety Exception to Miranda in Terrorism Cases, Provide Adequate Time for Questioning of a Suspect Before Appearance in Court.
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation to allow for more thorough interrogations ...
July 30, 2010
San Francisco — Mayor Gavin Newsom today signed a balanced budget for San Francisco´s 2010-2011 fiscal year that invests in jobs, protects public safety, and preserves the City´s social safety net for the most vulnerable – without new general tax increases. The City´s final $...
July 24, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) has signed legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to protect University of California faculty and workers who report illegal or improper actions.
SB 650 provides UC employees with the same legal protections as othe...
July 20, 2010
California continues legal fight to protect children from excessively violent video games; Eleven other states also submit brief in support of California law.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Attorney General Jerry Brown (D-Oakland) submitted the State of California´s written argument in t...
July 19, 2010
Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, AHMC Health Foundation May Receive Critical Support.
Washington, DC – Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced Monday that the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill includes $350,000 for the Rapid Cardiac Diagnostic Proje...
July 20, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Consumer protections have diminished significantly since the California Public Utilities Commission deregulated phone rates in 2006 and adopted a new "hands-off" approach toward telecommunications, according to a report released today [July 16] by the Senate Office of Oversight and Outc...
July 19, 2010
San Francisco — To further the ties of friendship and understanding between San Francisco and Barcelona, Spain and to affirm their mutual aspiration to work in unison for the benefit of their cities and nations, Mayor Gavin Newsom, joined by a trade delegation on behalf of the Honorable Jordi ...
MAYOR NEWSOM & BAY AREA COUNCIL ECONOMIC INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF AMERICA´S CUP ECONOMIC IMPACT
July 19, 2010
Report finds economic impacts of America´s Cup could total $1.4 billion and create 8,840 jobs.
San Francisco — Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced the release of a report commissioned by the City describing the economic impacts if San Francisco is named host of the 34th America´s...
July 14, 2010
Chair Eric C. Bauman reelected by acclamation to unprecedented sixth term.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) held its biennial organizing meeting on Monday at the Los Angeles County Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration. LACDP Chair Eric C. Bauman was reelected by acc...
July 07, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 1500, by Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance), to continue California´s commitment to encouraging the use of low-emission, alternative fuel vehicles by extending access to HOV lanes until January 2015.
"Over the pas...
July 03, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Nine months after the Orange County High School of the Arts may have violated state law that protects student speech rights, the school administration may have another legal battle on their hands after firing the school´s journalism advisor in possible retaliation.
State law...
July 03, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved legislation (SB 399 – The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act) that would allow courts to review cases of juveniles sentenced to life without parole after 10 years, potentially allowing some individuals to receive a new sentence of 25 years to li...
July 03, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted to rein in Wall Street, end taxpayer bailouts of big banks, and create a consumer financial protection bureau that finally puts consumers first. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act will end the era of abuses ...
July 03, 2010
Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) today issued the following statement about the Governor´s order to reduce state employee pay to the federal minimum wage:
"The Governor´s demand to cut pay for 240,000 state workers to $7.25 per hour is outrageous and punitive.
The Governo...
July 03, 2010
Sacramento, CA – As the Fourth of July weekend begins and DUI checkpoints are set up throughout California, Assemblymember Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, wants to remind drivers to be safe and responsible during the holiday.
Earlier this week his Assembly Bill 1601 passed the Senate Public Safety Co...
July 03, 2010
SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) congratulated Orange County for receiving $490,213 in funding from California's competitive Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention Grant Program (CalGRIP).
"This is a real compliment to Orange County's application," says Assemblyman Solorio. ...
June 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a 49-27 vote, the State Assembly approved Senate Bill 662 to help increase funding for domestic violence shelters. SB 662, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) would allow counties to increase marriage license fees by up to $10 to provide an additional $2.5 million to $5...
June 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 64-8 vote, the State Assembly approved legislation to allow access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) highway lanes for the latest generation of low-emission vehicles – similar to a program that previously allowed some hybrid cars such access.
SB 535, authored by Se...
June 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a 21-14 vote, the State Senate sent Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) legislation to protect University of California faculty and workers who report waste, fraud, and abuse.
SB 650, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), would provide UC employees with the...
June 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO – A bill designed to protect the privacy of children who use social networking sites was defeated in the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism & Internet Media Committee.
Senate Bill 1361 by Senator Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) would have simply blocked minors´ home ...
June 30, 2010
Washington, D.C. - After numerous conflicting statements by members of his Administration and the military command, today Congresswoman Barbara Lee along with a number of her House colleagues sent President Obama a letter asking that he provide Congress with "a clear commitment and plan to withdraw ...
June 30, 2010
(SACRAMENTO)-- Advocates to end human trafficking today testified in support of Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg´s (D-Sacramento) legislation which combats slavery and human trafficking by requiring large retailers and manufacturers doing business in California to tell consumers on t...
June 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Today, the Assembly Judiciary Committee approved (7-2) legislation to safeguard children who enjoy California´s alpine sports: skiing and snowboarding.
SB 880, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), would require all children under age 18 to wear helmets while ski...
June 30, 2010
Sacramento—Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) today released the following statement after voting to support Assembly Bill 1844, Chelsea´s Law, in the Senate Public Safety Committee.
"The Committee has taken a positive step to protect the children in our state," said Senator Bob Huff...
June 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Health Committee today approved the California Universal Health Care Act, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). The bill guarantees all Californians comprehensive, universal health care while containing ballooning health care costs and improving the quality of ca...
June 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO -- Assembly Bill 1800, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Hagman (R-Chino Hills), unanimously passed out of Senate Public Safety Committee with a bi-partisan vote of 7-0. The bill seeks to protect victims of real estate fraud by enhancing the current mis...
June 25, 2010
(Sacramento) Tuesday, Assemblymember Dave Jones was successful in the Senate Health Committee which passed AB 2578, his legislation to prevent excessive health insurance premium increases. This bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation under consideration this year. Californians conti...
June 24, 2010
Bill fills a missing piece of federal reform.
Sacramento - Today, Assemblymember Dave Jones was successful in the Senate Health Committee which passed AB 2578, his legislation to prevent excessive health insurance premium increases. This bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation u...
June 22, 2010
(SACRAMENTO)-- Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-San Diego), Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, today provided a detailed outline of the Senate Democratic Restructuring Budget Proposal which is a key piece to solving t...
June 22, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – The California Assembly today gave final approval to Assembly Bill 1500, introduced by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), which promotes the use of low-emission vehicles by extending their access to HOV lanes until January 2015. The bill moves to the Governor for his signature.
...
June 18, 2010
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymembers Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), Jared Huffman (D-Marin) and Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) introduced legislation this week calling on the federal government to oppose a proposal by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the international governing body tasked with the ...
June 18, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate Health Committee has approved a bill that establishes new requirements on hospital emergency rooms to reduce dangerous overcrowding levels. Introduced by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), Assembly Bill 2153 requires hospitals to institute guidelines that will reduce hig...
June 18, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Thursday, the California Legislature approved a resolution authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) urging the US Congress to pass the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). The Assembly approved the measure on a bipartisan 54-1 vote, while the Senate previously appr...
June 15, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) unveiled legislation to protect students´ right to a quality education by preventing wildly disproportionate teacher layoffs and also improve the balance of teacher experience at California schools.
"Providing a qu...
June 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Today, the Assembly Judiciary Committee approved two bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to protect faculty and workers from retaliation at the University of California and students at charter schools.
On a 6-3 vote, the committee approved SB 650 – a reintroductio...
June 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) today announced his support for the California Jobs Budget, a proposal by Speaker John A. Pérez that will resolve the state's budget deficit without raising taxes on consumers while protecting 430,000 private sector, local government, and local schoo...
June 03, 2010
SFPD Seeks Information Leading to Arrest of Suspect Who Fled Scene
San Francisco - Mayor Gavin Newsom today strongly condemned Wednesday night´s unprovoked hit and run incidents in the Mission and Potrero Hill neighborhoods by a driver who appeared to be targeting cyclists.
"I´m pr...
June 02, 2010
San Francisco, CA — Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the successful sale of $239,565,000 of bonds by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission´s (SFPUC) to continue critical improvements to the City´s sewer system. As compared to the longer-term cost of borrowing assumption, more t...
June 02, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a 21-13 bipartisan vote, the California Senate today approved legislation to safeguard children who enjoy California´s alpine sports: skiing and snowboarding. SB 880, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), would require all children under age 18 to wear helmets whil...
June 02, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Today the State Senate passed Senate Bill 1362, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), to protect drivers by regulating the use of "red light" cameras.
SB 1362 establishes statewide standards for the installation and operation of traffic enforcement cameras. The bill requires...
June 02, 2010
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Senate Bill 1425, which aims to curtail the problem of pension spiking in California, was approved by the State Senate by a vote of 34-0. The bill now moves to the Assembly for consideration.
Pension spiking is the pr...
June 01, 2010
SACRAMENTO – California is one of only three states that still prohibits pharmacists from selling a syringe without a prescription. Most states amended their laws in light of overwhelming evidence that criminalizing access to sterile syringes led drug users to share used ones, and that sharing syri...
June 01, 2010
SACRAMENTO – California will allow citizens to vote without registering prior to Election Day if a bill by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) becomes law. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved Yee´s Senate Bill 1140 on a partisan 7-3 vote. While voter turnout has declined throughout...
June 01, 2010
Calls for International Investigation of Israeli Military Attacks.
Marina del Rey - Congressional Candidate Marcy Winograd (CA-36) denounces the Israeli military's killing of at least 10 Free Gaza activists and wounding of dozens more on board a flotilla delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. A...
May 27, 2010
SACRAMENTO – This week, a bill to allow customers to reduce their carbon footprint and eliminate a major source of waste cleared its final Senate committee before a Senate floor vote.
By a vote of 6-4, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-S...
May 27, 2010
San Francisco, CA— Mayor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to stimulate development and generate much-needed construction jobs and General Fund revenues. The Development Impact Fee Reform & Deferral Program is a 2-part impact fee reform legislation re-designing how and when development impact fe...
May 27, 2010
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jerry Hill (D - San Mateo), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, and his caucus colleagues, released their initial budget proposal that will solve the state´s budget deficit without raising taxes on consumers while protecting 438,000 private sector jobs.
...
May 27, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today passed legislation that clarifies the religious freedom of clergy members in California. The Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), reaffirms the separation of church and state and clarifies under state law that...
May 26, 2010
Aerospace Labor Union Throws Support Behind Progressive Candidate.
Marina del Rey - The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO (IAMAW), has endorsed Marcy Winograd for Congress (CA-36 / Harman) in the June 8th Democratic Party primary. The IAMAW represents over ...
May 24, 2010
Oak Park, CA - Rep. Elton Gallegly (CA-24) killed the "America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010", (H.R.5116), two weeks after the House Science and Technology Committee approved it. Gallegly supported a "Motion to Recommit" at the end of last week, a last-ditch effort to change a bill by sending...
May 22, 2010
Rep. Schiff Co-sponsors bill, along with fellow Blue Dog Members.
Washington, DC – Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has joined members of the Blue Dog Coalition in introducing the Preventing Waste, Fraud and Abuse Act of 2010. This legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Schiff, will make strategic investment...
May 22, 2010
Goldsmith served as Mayor of Poway and State Assemblyman in key battleground area of Senate District 36.
SAN DIEGO - San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith has thrown his support behind Assemblyman Joel Anderson for State Senate District 36.
"Assemblyman Joel Anderson's record in the legisla...
May 22, 2010
Williams also demands local offshore oil inspections office reopened.
SANTA BARBARA, CA - In the wake of the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams called for an immediate moratorium on all offshore oil leasing, as well as the reopening of a Minera...
May 22, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) expressed concern today that California´s unemployment remained at 12.6% in April, noting that high tax rates and unfettered business regulations continue to strangle businesses in California. The state has lost 290,00...
May 22, 2010
SACRAMENTO, CA— Today, Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, praised Colorado Governor Ritter, the Colorado State Legislature and American Federation of Teachers President (AFT), Randi Weingarten, for their collaborative efforts that put students first by approving SB...
May 22, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a 9-5 partisan vote, the Texas State Board of Education today finalized approval of several extreme right-wing curriculum changes. Due to the number of public school students in the state, the changes in Texas could drastically influence textbooks throughout the country as publisher...
May 19, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Citing "evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society," the Supreme Court of the United States moved one step closer to prohibiting juveniles from being sentenced to die in prison.
On a 6-3 vote, the Court ruled that sentencing a juvenile to life without...
May 17, 2010
Garamendi Authored Bill that Would Stop All New Leases in Federal Waters on West Coast.
WALNUT GROVE, CA – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) continued his leadership in demanding accountability from the oil industry in the wake of the Gulf Coast oil spill disaster by cosponsoring ...
May 17, 2010
Lawmaker says, "Both the Times Square and Christmas Day bombers were allowed to board flights, exposing flaws in the passenger vetting system that TSA and CBP have worked diligently to fix. Every time I pass through airport screening, I thank the dedicated TSA and CBP officers for their service to ...
May 16, 2010
Largest LA Teachers Union Supports Campaign for Change.
Marina del Rey - The United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) has endorsed public school teacher Marcy Winograd for Congress (CA-36 / Harman) in the June 8th Democractic Party primary. UTLA, established in 1970, represents 48-thousand public ...
May 14, 2010
Main Street merchants applaud Senators for taking immediate action to reduce credit and debit card swipe fees.
WASHINGTON — The Merchants Payments Coalition, representing 2.7 million U.S. businesses, released the following statement thanking Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator D...
May 14, 2010
A hearing of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee (DeSaulnier – Chair) found that the Division of Workers´ Compensation (DWC) within the Department of Industrial Relations has deliberately and continuously failed to comply with a law requiring the adoption of a permanent disabil...
May 14, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – In the wake of the introduction of an amendment by United States Senator Tom Carper (D-Deleware), California State Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), the Chair of the Select Committee on Consumer Financial Protection, and the consumer groups CalPIRG and the Greenlining Institute to...
May 14, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California State Assembly today approved legislation to extend California´s Low-Cost Automobile Insurance program through 2016.
Assembly Bill 1597, authored by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento), was approved with a bi-partisan vote of 73-3.
"Extending the low-co...
May 14, 2010
(SACRAMENTO)—The Senate Budget Subcommittee No 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation Committee today approved as part of 2010-11 budget the appropriation of $4.2 billion in Proposition 1B funds for "ready to go" transportation infrastructure projects throughout th...
May 13, 2010
DeSaulnier (Chair) Demands Workers Compensation Schedules Be Updated As Required by Law.
A hearing of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee (DeSaulnier – Chair) today found that the Division of Workers´ Compensation (DWC) within the Department of Industrial Relations has del...
May 13, 2010
Bakersfield – Citing his many accomplishments and years of work for the business community in Kern County, the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee announced their support of Pete Parra´s candidacy for the 30th Assembly District.
"California has created a difficult and...
May 13, 2010
Rep. Schiff Co-sponsors the Tax INFO Act, along with fellow Blue Dog Members.
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) joined members of the Blue Dog Coalition in introducing the Tax Information for New Fiscal Oversight (INFO) Act. This legislation, cosponsored by Rep. Schiff, will prov...
May 12, 2010
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) announced that his measure to clearly establish and define a "heritage school" passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee with unanimous support.
Senate Bill 1116 will also create an affidavit submission requirement for these schools; ...
May 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Several documents released by California State University Stanislaus regarding the upcoming controversial visit by Sarah Palin further demonstrate that university officials violated the California Public Records Act by not disclosing documents requested March 31 from Californians Aware ...
May 12, 2010
Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) announced that by a unanimous vote the Senate approved his SB 1201 requiring a risk assessment for all out-of-state parolees coming into California.
The 1991 kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard in South Lake Tahoe, who was found 18 years later in the captivity of pa...
May 12, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today joined her colleagues in the House Republican Economic Recovery Working Group in launching the YouCut program, a first-of-its kind initiative designed to empower local input and change the culture of spending in Washington to a culture of...
May 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO, CA: Legislation designed to create new jobs and new business opportunities in Northern California has been placed on a Suspense File in the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation. SB 939 – authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) focused on the tax advantages that exist in the...
May 11, 2010
Poll shows Harman gets 29% - Cooley 22%.
Sacramento - A new survey conducted by Survey USA and CBS 5 KPIX on key statewide races in California, shows Senator Tom Harman beating Los Angeles DA Steve Cooley amongst Republican Primary voters. CBS 5 reported: In the Republican primary for st...
May 08, 2010
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams has announced that the Consumer Federation of California (CFC) has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.
CFC is the state´s leading consumer advocacy organization dedicated to enacting state and federal ...
May 08, 2010
Nearly $45 million for Ferry Terminals and Other Projects.
This week Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) applauded the release of Proposition 1B bond funds to San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) for the Antioch and Martinez Ferry Terminals and other vital Bay ...
May 08, 2010
The non-profit advocacy group which acts as a voice for consumers across California has endorsed Susan Jordan for the 35th Assembly District seat.
"Susan Jordan has proven that she is tough enough to stand up to the oil and energy corporations. The Consumer Federation of California endorses her ...
May 07, 2010
House Passes the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act.
Washington, DC - Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) voted yesterday for the bipartisan Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, H.R. 5019, to provide immediate incentives for consumers who renovate their homes to become more energy-efficient. Increased demand for ene...
May 07, 2010
The California Legislative Latino Caucus, comprised of California State Senators and Assemblymembers, voted on Wednesday to give a sole endorsement to Democrat Susan Jordan in the 35th Assembly District contest.
The Latino Legislative Caucus is dedicated to providing affordable housing, investing...
May 07, 2010
SACRAMENTO – After over a month of denying that they had even a single document pertaining to the upcoming controversial visit by Sarah Palin, California State University Stanislaus officials are now offering to disclose "800 or 900" documents about the event, according to a report published in Cali...
May 07, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – In the wake of revelations that hundreds of dangerous felons have been erroneously released, Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) is calling on the California Department of Corrections (CDCR) to immediately halt the implementation of the State´s new unsupervised parole program, ...
May 05, 2010
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams announced Tuesday that the Consumer Federation of California (CFC) has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.
CFC is the state´s leading consumer advocacy organization dedicated to enacting state and fede...
May 04, 2010
San Francisco, CA— Mayor Gavin Newsom today presented his proposed balanced budgets for ten "enterprise" departments. The enterprise departments are agencies within City government that generate their own revenue or are funded with special funds, rather than by general fund revenues.
"Inves...
May 04, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 29-0 vote, the California Senate today approved legislation in response to the Richmond case in which a 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped repeatedly by a group of young males with as many as twenty witnesses to the crime.
The legislation – authored by Senator Le...
May 04, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) today issued the following statement after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he is giving up on his plan to approve what would have been the first new offshore oil drilling lease in more than four decades in California:
...
May 04, 2010
SACRAMENTO – In a move certain to disappoint those who care about the environmental condition of the Golden State´s world famous coasts and mountains, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today vetoed a proposed statewide ban on smoking at state beaches and parks.
"I´m sorry the governor did no...
May 02, 2010
At the same time Texas-based oil company Plains Exploration & Production (PXP) was trying to woo Santa Barbara environmentalists into supporting its plans to drill the first new offshore oil lease in California state waters in more than 40 years, the company was trying to convince the federal govern...
May 02, 2010
Mourns Loss of Life in Gulf of Mexico.
Marina del Rey - Congressional Candidate Marcy Winograd (CA-36) applauds President Obama's decision to put new off-shore oil leases on hold in light of the disastrous oil spill off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Winograd joins in mourning the l...
April 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States granted a writ of certiorari (review) of California´s law to prevent the sale and rental of excessively violent video games to children. The law was written by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) in 2005 and was struck down by the U...
April 30, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – The State Assembly approved new requirements on hospital emergency rooms to reduce dangerous overcrowding levels. Introduced by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), Assembly Bill 2153 would require hospitals to institute guidelines that will reduce high levels of overcrowding in Cali...
April 30, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved a plan to ban retailers from imposing surcharges on those who use debit cards, sending the consumer-protection measure to face a full vote on the Senate Floor.
"Regardless of whether you´re buying milk for the kids or gas for the ca...
April 30, 2010
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) and Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-29) praised the Senate Committee passage of a version of their legislation (S. 1684) aimed to prevent arson across the country. The Managing Arson Through Criminal History (MATCH) Act, will create a compreh...
April 27, 2010
The pioneering Stonewall Democratic Club of Los Angeles and their affiliate Stonewall Young Democrats have endorsed Betsy Butler for Assembly in District 53.
Stonewall Democratic Club President John Cleary stated, "Stonewall Democratic Club is proud to endorse Betsy Butler. In addition to being...
April 23, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The Supreme Court of the United States will conference on Friday, April 23, to consider granting a writ of certiorari (review) regarding California´s law preventing the sale and rental of excessively violent video games to children, which was struck down by the U.S. Ninth Circuit ...
April 23, 2010
Sacramento—Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) announced that Senate Bill 955, sponsored by Governor Schwarzenegger and designed to give school districts more flexibility and control over localstaffing decisions, was approved by the Senate Education Committee.
"Schools are struggling to prov...
April 23, 2010
AB 2252 ensures underserved children are given a greater opportunity to attend public preschool.
SACRAMENTO - The state Assembly Education Committee yesterday passed AB 2252 by Assemblymember Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) which ensures access to preschool programs for all children in California....
April 23, 2010
Washington, DC – Today, as the nation marks Earth Day the House Financial Services Committee passed the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act (H.R. 2336) which includes language authored by Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) to promote the use of plug-in electric vehicles, both...
April 23, 2010
Washington, DC – Today, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is calling on constituents to pitch in to make a positive impact on our environment.
"As a Member of Congress, as an American, and as a father, I feel a keen sense of responsibility to care for our ...
April 23, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Social networking web sites would not be allowed to make public the address or telephone number of minors under a bill approved by the state Senate today on a 25 to 4 vote.
SB 1361 by Senator Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) prohibits minors´ home addresses and phone numbers ...
April 23, 2010
SACRAMENTO - The state Assembly Education Committee yesterday passed AB 2252 by Assemblymember Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) which ensures access to preschool programs for all children in California.
"As the father of two young children, I understand how important it is for children to receive ...
April 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – While the administration at California State University Stanislaus have claimed that only private funds are being used for the university´s foundation and the upcoming Sarah Palin event, state and IRS records show otherwise. In fact, millions of dollars in public funds are being ...
April 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Fourteen state legislators have joined Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) in opposing new black bear hunting regulations under consideration by the California Fish and Game Commission. Lawmakers sent a letter to the Commission condemning a proposal to allow increased bear hunting.
...
April 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – A measure jointly authored by Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) and Sen. Gloria Romero (D-East Los Angeles) to prevent elected officials from collecting unemployment benefits after they lose or leave office, received unanimous support in the Senate Labor and...
April 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno giving consumers more information about how much radiation their cell phones emit passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Senate Bill 1212, sponsored by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), requires cell phone retailers to label pho...
April 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Environmental Quality Committee approved legislation clarifying that toxic flame retardant chemicals, used in furniture and baby products, will be reviewed under the state´s new Green Chemistry Initiative. Senate Bill 1291, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco...
April 21, 2010
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation to limit the Department of Corrections´ (CDCR) release of hundreds of violent felons onto Non-Revocable Parole (NRP) cleared the Assembly Public Safety Committee today, 4-2. Assembly Bill 1678, authored by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), would add additional v...
April 21, 2010
A bill authored by Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) to give voters more information about the financial interests behind ballot measures passed today out of Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee. The vote was 3-2.
"Big money is clearly driving California&acut...
April 21, 2010
Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) announced approval of his legislation to provide paid protected leave from work to allow employees to donate life-saving bone marrow or organs. This will encourage the utilization of the bone marrow donor registry by lowering the cost of donation to the donor and ...
April 21, 2010
San Francisco, CA— Following several weeks of negotiations, Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco public employee unions today reached a comprehensive two-year agreement to help close a historic $483 million deficit next year while protecting vital public service and jobs. The agreement is esti...
April 20, 2010
Active Los Angeles County Young Democrats Receive California Democratic Party's "Democratic Volunteer of the Year" Awards.
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Young Democrats (LACYD) yesterday congratulated past LACYD President Becca Doten and current Legislative Director Dante Atkins on being...
April 20, 2010
Williams has strong advantage in both field and fundraising efforts heading into June 8th Primary.
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Santa Barbara City Councilmember and Assembly District 35 candidate Das Williams officially picked up the California Democratic Party (CDP) endorsement this weekend at th...
April 20, 2010
Lawmaker says "California´s aerospace industry is critical to our national security and the Los Angeles/South Bay economy, so I am pleased Congressman Dicks accepted my invitation to tour and be briefed on the innovative work being done here."
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Jane Harman ...
April 20, 2010
Williams has strong advantage in both field and fundraising efforts heading into June 8th Primary.
SANTA BARBARA, CA — Santa Barbara City Councilmember and Assembly District 35 candidate Das Williams officially picked up the California Democratic Party (CDP) endorsement this weekend at ...
April 20, 2010
Washington, DC – Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has received a 100 percent score from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for critical votes he cast in the 111th Congress on issues affecting women and girls. The AAUW is a charitable membership organization, with a nationwide network of near...
April 20, 2010
East County Conservative Icon Represents 59.7% of Senate District 36.
EL CAJON - In a clear signal to the voters of the 36th Senate district as to who the real conservative candidate is in the race to replace State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, Congressman Duncan Hunter - an East County conserva...
April 17, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno today announced legislation that gives utility customers across California a voice in deciding how public utility company profits are distributed. Under current law, ratepayers have no say in determining when or if rate payments are transferred to a utility´s sha...
April 17, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate voted Thursday to approve Senate Bill 1166 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Senate Bill 1166 would strengthen and improve the state´s existing security breach notification requirements.
Current California law requires data holders to n...
April 15, 2010
Two-term Mayor of San Francisco Newsom endorsed for LG today by Valley rising political star and new Chairman of Assembly Budget Committee.
San Francisco, CA -- The Gavin Newsom for Lieutenant Governor campaign announced today the endorsement of State Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernand...
April 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today approved on a bipartisan vote and sent to the governor a proposed statewide effort to protect California´s coastal landscape and help prevent forest fires.
If signed into law, Senate Bill 4 would impose a $100 fine beginning Jan. 1, 2011, on those ci...
April 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Social networking web sites would not be allowed to make public the address or telephone number of minors under a bill approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SB 1361 by Senator Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) prohibits minors´ home addresses and phone numbers from being...
April 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO - The state Assembly Health Committee unanimously passed AB1931 by Assemblymember Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) which would extend funding for spinal cord injury research for an additional five years. Funding for the research would expire next January if the bill is not approved.
"Like...
April 15, 2010
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) announced that Senate Bill 938, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Sheriff´s Department, received unanimous bi-partisan support and passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee.
Existing law allows some public officials and law en...
April 15, 2010
Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) announced that two of his economic development and job creation bills were approved by Senate committees. These bills will make job creation and economic development a high priority in state government and will also help create jobs related to the development of ...
April 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO— The Senate Revenue Taxation Committee approved two bills by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) that would provide greater accountability for California´s numerous tax expenditure programs and also improve the appeals process resolving taxpayer disputes.
Senate Bill 1272, authore...
April 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) got a big boost from talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw for his bill to safeguard children who enjoy California´s most popular alpine sports: skiing and snowboarding.
Tuesday, the Dr. Phil Show focused on the need for greater helmet use by ch...
April 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO, CA— Legislation authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, to redirect $5 million of federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds for the retraining of laid off and out-of-field teachers in science, technology and math, passed the Senate Education C...
April 15, 2010
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) announced that Senate Bill 1051, a bill to help students suffering from a seizure while at school, passed the Senate Education Committee despite opposition from labor unions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 93,730 children in California suf...
April 15, 2010
Williams heads into the State Party Convention with strong union and Democratic support.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Leading into this weekend´s California Democratic Party (CDP) Convention in Los Angeles where he is expected to gain the CDP´s formal endorsement, Santa Barbara City Coun...
April 15, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) announced Friday that the National Endowment for the Humanities is awarding Clover Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles 17 classic American books as part of the We the People Bookshelf program.
The books include The Great Little Mad...
April 15, 2010
The Tri-Counties Central Labor Council and California Labor Federation announced that they have each voted to support Susan Jordan for the 35th Assembly District in the June primary election.
The Tri-Counties Central Labor Council is comprised of more than 50,000 union members in Ventura, Santa ...
April 14, 2010
Senate Public Safety Committee Unanimously Passed SB 1201.
Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) announced Tuesday that by a 6-0 vote the Senate Public Safety Committee approved his SB 1201 providing for a risk assessment for all out-of-state parolees coming into California.
The 19...
April 14, 2010
Council President Praises Winograd´s Commitment to Job Creation.
Marina del Rey - In a major labor development, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Southern California District Council, which advocates for more than 20,000 workers, has endorsed Marcy Winograd for Congre...
April 15, 2010
CONCORD — The California Nurses Association has endorsed Assemblymember Tom Torlakson's campaign for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The election for the non-partisan office will take place on June 8, 2010.
"We are endorsing Tom because we know he will fight to improve our stud...
April 15, 2010
Prominent Latino Group Applauds Commitment to Immigration Reform.
Marina del Rey - The Mexican American Bar Association (MABA), one of the largest Latino bar associations in America, endorses Marcy Winograd for Congress in her challenge to corporate Democrat Jane Harman in southern California&a...
April 14, 2010
The workers who care for the most vulnerable populations in California – the sick, the elderly and the disabled – have given their sole endorsement to Susan Jordan in the Assembly District 35 race. These workers provide a critical lifeline to those most in need and know that Jordan will fight not ju...
April 14, 2010
Greater tax expenditure accountability and judicial appeals process.
SACRAMENTO — The Senate Revenue Taxation Committee today approved two bills by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) that would provide greater accountability for California´s numerous tax expenditure programs and also imp...
April 14, 2010
Senate Committees Approve SB 965 & SB 1259.
Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) announced that two of his economic development and job creation bills were approved Tuesday by Senate committees. These bills will make job creation and economic development a high priority in state government and ...
April 13, 2010
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced legislation to change the minimum age for children entering kindergarten. The proposal, supported by policy experts and education advocates, would boost kindergarten readiness and save an estimated $700 million annually, totaling $9.1 b...
April 13, 2010
SACRAMENTO: Health care legislation designed to give consumers a voice and a choice in health care plans failed to get majority support during its first committee hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Public Employees and Retirement. SB 1262 – authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) ...
April 13, 2010
Sacramento—Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) welcomed the news that Governor Schwarzenegger is further helping small businesses through his newly created Governor´s Office of Economic Development (GoED). Senator Huff recently introduced a bill which will implement several of the small b...
April 13, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Calling it a "positive first step" toward rebuilding California´s economy, two measures authored by Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) to improve the state´s regulatory climate cleared a major hurdle today when they were approved by the Senate Go...
April 13, 2010
Students uncover Palin contract, other public documents – some shredded by university administrators.
SACRAMENTO – Students from California State University Stanislaus have uncovered several public documents pertaining to the upcoming controversial visit by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
...
April 12, 2010
Bill prevents onerous taxation of debt forgiveness and renewable energy grants.
SACRAMENTO — Senate Bill 401, a second attempt by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to provide tax relief to California homeowners engaged in short sales or loan modifications, was approved by the legislature today ...
April 12, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) has announced that California State University, Northridge (CSUN) was awarded nearly $8.5 million in federal funding over five years to improve the teacher quality and student achievement for students with disabilities in high-need schools. ...
April 06, 2010
Fletcher represents roughly 30% of voters in key battle-ground area in Senate District.
SAN DIEGO - Adding to Assemblyman Joel Anderson's surge in momentum since declaring his candidacy for the seat currently held by Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, San Diego Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San D...
April 06, 2010
CONCORD - The California Teachers Association (CTA) has voted to endorse Assemblymember Tom Torlakson's campaign for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The election for the non-partisan office will take place on June 8, 2010.
The CTA has 325,000 members around the state and is the large...
April 06, 2010
The California Federation of Teachers (CFT), representing the voices of more than 75,000 educators across the state, has announced its support for Susan Jordan's Assembly District 35 race.
CFT's diverse statewide membership includes early childhood, K-12, community college and university educato...
April 06, 2010
Hanford – Citing his life-long dedication to children and youth issues, the California Teachers Association has endorsed Pete Parra for State Assembly in the 30th Assembly District.
"Pete Parra understands that investing in public education is the best investment we can make in the futures of our...
April 06, 2010
Pledges to conduct grass roots campaign mobilizing more than 8,000 teachers in district.
Palm Springs - The California Teachers Association endorsed Steve Pougnet's campaign for Congress in the 45th Congressional District. CTA, the largest education organization in the state represents more th...
April 06, 2010
Congressional Candidate Questions Opponent's Complicity
Marina del Rey - Congressional Candidate Marcy Winograd (CA-36) applauds federal judge Vaughn Walker's ruling that the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program was illegal, and questions why her opponent Jane Harman went along ...
March 31, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), the Chair of the Senate Select Committee on California´s Public Records and Open Meeting Laws, is continuing his efforts to get California State University Stanislaus officials to disclose how much former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is getting...
March 31, 2010
(SACRAMENTO)— Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) joined several executives from California´s solar, clean vehicle, and green technology industries to highlight new laws that will create 20,000 jobs for Californians. They also discussed pending job creation bills t...
March 31, 2010
WALNUT CREEK, CA – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), a former Deputy Secretary of the Interior under President Bill Clinton, expressed relief that California is not on the list of proposed federal offshore oil drilling locations announced by President Barack Obama and Interior Departm...
March 28, 2010
CONCORD -- The California National Organization for Women Political Action Committee (CA NOW PAC) announced today its endorsement of Assemblymember Tom Torlakson for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The primary election for the non-partisan office will take place on June 8, 2010.
"I a...
March 28, 2010
Two-term Mayor of San Francisco Newsom endorsed by California lawmakers Mary Hayashi, Jerry Hill, Jared Huffman, Ira Ruskin and Sandré R. Swanson
San Francisco, CA - The Gavin Newsom for Lieutenant Governor campaign announced the endorsements of respected California Assemblymembers Mary Hayashi (...
March 28, 2010
The Sierra Club now joins the California League of Conservation Voters in supporting Das Williams´ Assembly Campaign.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams´ record on environmental issues has received another big boost, announcing today that the S...
March 28, 2010
Citing his lifetime record of fighting for the families of the Central Valley and creating jobs for the area, former Lemoore Mayor and City Councilmember Ed Martin announces his endorsement of Pete Parra for the 30th Assembly District.
Ed Martin, a Democratic community leader and strong voice for...
March 28, 2010
Assemblymembers add to Hahn's momentum.
Los Angeles - State Assemblymembers Warren Furutani and Julia Brownley today endorsed Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn for lieutenant governor.
"Janice Hahn is ready to lead," said Furutani. "Janice is the most qualified person running to be C...
March 28, 2010
Nava's environmental credentials are second to none.
Los Angeles - State Assemblyman Pedro Nava, of Santa Barbara, today endorsed Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn for lieutenant governor.
"There is no one more qualified, ready and able to lead California right now as our next lieuten...
March 25, 2010
Sacramento -- A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) that opens the door to immediate new school construction jobs passed the Senate on a unanimous vote and was sent to the Governor for signature. It passed the Assembly earlier this month, also unanimously.
"This bill will provide innovativ...
March 25, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Speaking in front of over a thousand community college and university students from around the state, Assemblymember Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) urged them to register their support for his Fair Share for Fair Tuition bill that would raise about $2 billion for higher education, includin...
March 21, 2010
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D – San Fernando Valley) was named chair of the Assembly Budget Committee last week by Assembly Speaker John Pérez. Blumenfield, a first-term legislator, will preside over the annual budget process that determines the expenditure of $85 billion in st...
March 20, 2010
SACRAMENTO, CA - In a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger dated March 17, Ronald Dietrich, acting director of the California's Department of Public Services, stated that he has "rejected all bids" for the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Assemblyman Jose Solorio, (D-Anaheim), author of legislation to sto...
March 20, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The final Assembly vote on Senate Bill 4, a statewide effort to protect California´s coastal landscape and state parks, is expected to occur as soon as Monday.
On a day when the Assembly had several absences, the measure by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, fell just shy of the...
March 17, 2010
SACRAMENTO—The State Senate voted 21-15 last week to approve tax conformity legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to protect homeowners embroiled in the mortgage crisis from onerous tax burdens. Senate Bill 32 (8X), which also removes barriers to job-creating renewable energy projects, no...
March 17, 2010
SACRAMENTO – In response to Governor Schwarzenegger´s harsh letter to the Democrat-controlled Legislature about the recently adjourned emergency budget session, Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) again called for the Legislature to get serious about fixing the state´s dire fiscal probl...
March 10, 2010
SACRAMENTO, CA— Senator Gloria Romero (D – East Los Angeles) and Senator Bob Dutton (R- Rancho Cucamonga) have introduced legislation to prevent elected officials from collecting unemployment benefits after they lose or leave their public seats.
The issue recently came to light after former...
March 08, 2010
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) reintroduced legislation that requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean, renewable energy sources by 2020.
Senate Bill 722 provides a clear statutory directive for private and public utilities to reach 33 per...
March 08, 2010
WALNUT CREEK, CA – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA) is pleased to report that the Department of Transportation announced nearly $84 million in transportation projects for California out of more than $600 million in projects nationwide.
"Once again, where local and state governments...
March 04, 2010
SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblyman Jose Solorio's (D-Anaheim) call to California's Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell to release Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) funds immediately apparently has paid off. Sources confirm that the allocated funds to California's lowest performing schools will ...
Convicts Using Cameras to Illicitly Exploit Californians Still Not Required to Register as Sex Offen
March 04, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Criminals convicted of using hidden cameras to invade the privacy of unsuspecting Californians for their own sexual gratification will still not be required to register as sex offenders, after a bill to place them on the state database was defeated today by Democrats on the Assembly Pub...
March 03, 2010
Today, on the 50th anniversary of the California State University system, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), a former California State University trustee and University of California regent issued the following statement:
"Fifty years ago today, the State of California made a decisi...
March 01, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Newsom announced that San Francisco has secured nearly $3 million in federal stimulus funds to offset the cost of residential and commercial energy and water efficiency projects. This new funding adds additional incentives to the GreenFinanceSF program, which will allow pr...
February 26, 2010
SACRAMENTO –State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced this week the introduction of Senate Bill 1475 which strengthens the state´s hands-free and anti-texting laws for motorists. The bill:
· Increases the fine for a first hands-free offense to $50, and to $100 for a subse...
February 26, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek), California´s first elected State Insurance Commissioner, is proud to announce that he is an original co-sponsor of a bill that he helped author to require the health insurance industry to follow the same anti-trust laws that almost ...
February 26, 2010
Sacramento — Instrumental in introducing legislation that helps create jobs in the 29th District, Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) this week stood up on the Senate Floor to voice his support of a measure that will allow infrastructure projects throughout California to be started now, rather ...
February 26, 2010
San Francisco, CA— Mayor Newsom announced that the City and County of San Francisco has developed 1,679 units of permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless within five years. The City is more than over the half way mark of 3000 units in 10 Years as called for in the Ten Year Pl...
February 26, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) joined California educators in calling on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) to protect school funding. Yee, who has consistently voted against all budget cuts to education, said Democrats should be as vigilant against cuts ...
February 25, 2010
Progressive group shows impact of Meg Whitman's state budget plans.
LOS ANGELES, CA -- As part of its ongoing public accountability work, the Courage Campaign today released a TV ad -- called "Meg's California" -- showing the impact of Meg Whitman's approach to the state budget crisis. Whitman,...
February 20, 2010
Marin County election could be tossed out Monday; Judge may call new election after hundreds of voters denied right to vote in election decided by only 15 votes.
SAN RAFAEL – Hundreds, and perhaps as many as 2,000, Marin County voters were not allowed to vote in a Novato election last November...
February 20, 2010
Another major women's group lines up for Hahn.
Los Angeles - The National Organization for Women (NOW) has voted to endorse Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn to become the first female lieutenant governor in California history. Hahn also previously was endorsed by the National Women's P...
February 20, 2010
Das Williams continues to gain traction and build broad support in Assembly Campaign.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams continues to build momentum in his campaign for the 35th Assembly District and is proud to announce that he has received the endorsement ...
February 20, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Once again, California holds the top spot with the nation´s strongest gun laws that help combat the illegal gun market, prevent the sale of guns without background checks and reduce risks to children, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. In the organizati...
February 20, 2010
LOS ANGELES – Local and National Democrats have announced the launch of the California Accountability Project; an initiative backed by the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) designed to ensure California´s voters have all the information they need to make an informed decision on Election D...
February 20, 2010
Says we need bold leadership in Sacramento today.
Los Angeles - Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan has announced her support of Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn in her bid for lieutenant governor.
"Janice Hahn is a courageous fighter for the working men and women of our state, protecting t...
February 18, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Recently released collision and fatality data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirms that California´s streets and highways are safer following the implementation of California´s "hands-free" cell phone law.
CHP certified numbers from the first six months of t...
February 18, 2010
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) has introduced SB 1051, a measure that will authorize a school district to provide school employees with voluntary emergency medical training to provide emergency medical assistance to students with epilepsy, when they experience seizures.
So...
February 18, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The finances of the University of California will finally be examined by the state auditor as a result of an official request by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo). After several improprieties and poor decision-making by UC executives, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee ...
February 15, 2010
SACRAMENTO—Every dollar California saves by furloughing workers at the Franchise Tax Board costs $7 in tax money that workers are not on the job to collect, according to a report released today by the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.
The tax revenue loss would erode by nearly a thi...
February 11, 2010
SACRAMENTO—Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis), chair of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, introduced tax conformity legislation this week to protect homeowners embroiled in the mortgage crisis from onerous tax burdens and remove barriers to job-creating renewable energy projects.
"This m...
February 11, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing approved the first of several bills to help jumpstart California´s economy and create thousands of new jobs. On a 6-0 vote, the committee approved legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) ...
February 11, 2010
SACRAMENTO - Sacramento Superior Court Judge Loren McMaster ordered the County of Sacramento to halt the release of county jail inmates under recently amended Penal Code § 4019.
The Court concluded, for the purposes of issuing the injunction that Penal Code § 4019 only applies to state inmates, ...
February 10, 2010
With four months to go before the June Primary election, the attorney general´s race is shaping up to be a race to watch as outsider Chris Kelly takes on five termed - out politicians seeking a promotion – all of whom face significant hurdles in cash, name recognition, and public mood. The fo...
February 10, 2010
Civil rights activist Efren Guttierrez declares candidacy for Sacramento City Council, slams ´special interests´ that dominate city hall; Says his special interest will be 'people'.
SACRAMENTO – Declaring "my only special interests are people," civil rights activist Efren Guttierrez...
February 10, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Mayor Gavin Newsom signed legislation creating an innovative new program to finance energy-efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation and other environmental improvements to San Francisco residential and commercial buildings. The new "green financing" program would allo...
February 09, 2010
First San Francisco and Party organization to endorse in the race.
Los Angeles - San Francisco Young Democrats over the weekend voted to support Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn's bid to become California's next lieutenant governor.
"Janice Hahn took the time to come to San Francisc...
February 09, 2010
Extends deadline four additional days to February 16, at 5 P.M.
SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Auditor announced a surge in applications being submitted for a seat on the 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission – the Commission created by the passage of Proposition 11, the Vot...
February 05, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Mayor Newsom announced $19.2 million in funding for energy efficiency programs through the San Francisco Energy Watch program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Newsom also highlighted the creation of new local jobs through the programs and outlined the total...
February 03, 2010
Sacramento - Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) has introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 29, which promotes tax equality for same sex couples by requesting that the IRS defer to California law on treatment of community property belonging to registered domestic partners and same-sex spouses. ...
February 03, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor Bevan Dufty announced that some program cuts to public schools will be prevented by providing up to $6 million from the city's rainy day fund. The Mayor made the announcement in his remarks at the "Bridging the Bay" Afterschool Conference at Bal...
February 03, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Following the successful efforts of Cleveland, Ohio and Miami, Florida, California could become the largest jurisdiction to give telephone customers a choice in receiving the white pages phonebook directory. Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) introduced legislation (SB 920)...
February 03, 2010
SACRAMENTO – In the interest of protecting consumers, Sen. Jenny Oropeza today introduced legislation to stop retailers from imposing surcharges on those who use their debit cards.
"During these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever to protect consumers and ensure they are no...
February 03, 2010
San Francisco, CA—Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has again provided a strong rating to the Central Subway Project, Phase 2 SFMTA´s Third Street Light Rail Project. The Project...
February 03, 2010
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) announced today the introduction of a measure to help protect California Peace Officers.
Current law allows some public officials and law enforcement officers to protect their home addresses from disclosure, keeping the address confidential ...
February 03, 2010
Williams out-raises his opponent by more than $100,000 in race for the 35th Assembly District.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Highlighting the immense outpouring of local support united behind his candidacy, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams today announced that his campaign for State Assembly...
February 02, 2010
RIVERSIDE – Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit today announced the introduction of a measure to recognize February 2010 as the American Heart Month and February 5, 2010 as Riverside County "Go Red For Women" Day.
"Heart disease is the nation´s leading cause of death, and it&acu...
February 02, 2010
We need real green leadership in Sacramento, longtime enviro says.
Los Angeles - Actor and longtime environmental activist Ed Begley Jr. today announced his support for Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn for lieutenant governor.
"Janice has been a voice for Mother Nature her entire career ...
February 02, 2010
Speier: Unfinished Work To Do On Consumer Protection, Health Care, Education.
Washington, D.C. – Today, ending days of speculation, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) announced that she will remain in Congress.
"I am thankful that so many supporters came forward to urge me to run for statewide off...
February 02, 2010
Torlakson to be recognized at the 7th Annual Legislative Conference.
SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblymember Tom Torlakson (D-Contra Costa) has been named Legislator of the Year by the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC). Torlakson will be honored at the organization&a...
February 02, 2010
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams has announced that Dolores Huerta has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.
Dolores Huerta is co-founder and First Vice President Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO, and one our state and ...
February 02, 2010
Palo Alto, CA - Democratic Attorney General candidate Chris Kelly reported $2,034,000 in cash on hand as of December 31, 2009.
"I am running for Attorney General to bring my experience in law, public policy and business to find innovative ways to make California safer. California´s gover...
February 01, 2010
Council colleagues who know her best add their support.
Los Angeles - Eight members of the Los Angeles City Council - a majority of the 15-member body - today announced their joint support of fellow Councilwoman Janice Hahn's campaign for lieutenant governor. Council members endorsing Hahn are ...
January 29, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today passed legislation that guarantees all Californians comprehensive, universal health care. The California Universal Health Care Act, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), is the only health care reform proposal that is proven to contain health care ...
January 29, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Senate approved two bills designed to bring greater transparency and accountability to the State´s public higher education institutions. Both bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) were vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Lo...
January 29, 2010
SACRAMEN TO – Yesterday, Assemblyman Van Tran was proud to vote in support of AB 347 (Bass) which passed the Assembly 45-0 and now goes to the Senate. Tran is a co-sponsor of AB 347 which allows donations to Haiti earthquake relief to be deducted from 2009 California income taxes.
"Like so many...
January 29, 2010
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) stood firm in opposition against a government run, socialized healthcare plan that passed off the Senate Floor today with a bare minimum of votes. SB 810 will implement a "Single-Payer" or universal healthcare plan on all Californians that will cost ...
January 29, 2010
Oakland, CA – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee applauded the announcement by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding $8 billion to states across the country to develop America´s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity ...
January 28, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking was unanimously approved this week by the California Senate. In addition to the courts seizing property, the bill would add civil penalties of up to $25,0...
January 28, 2010
San Francisco, CA— Mayor Newsom spoke in support of the three job creation and retention measures described during his recent State of the City address and introduced to the Board of Supervisors. The measures are aimed at helping small and mid-sized businesses create and retain local jobs – an...
January 28, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) today introduced legislation that clarifies the religious freedom of clergy members in California. The bill reaffirms the separation of church and state and codifies in California law that no member of clergy will be required to solemnize a civil marr...
January 23, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Survey results released yesterday show increasing opposition to California´s landmark global warming legislation that is currently being implemented by the California Air Resources Board.
When initially asked if voters support AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, t...
January 23, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO, CA –Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that $92 million has been secured for the cleanup of the Hunters Point Shipyard in the upcoming Fiscal Year.
Mayor Newsom, together with significant leadership from Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Dianne Feinstein, has worked aggressively to get th...
January 23, 2010
Sacramento -- A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) that opens the door to immediate new school construction jobs passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee yesterday on a unanimous vote.
"This bill will provide innovative financing to create jobs on "shovel-ready" school construction pro...
January 22, 2010
Hanford – Pete Parra has announced the support and endorsement of Kern County Supervisor Ray Watson, Chair of the Board, and Supervisor Don Maben for Parra´s campaign for the 30th State Assembly District.
Both men served with Parra on the Kern County Board of Supervisors, and stressed his a...
January 22, 2010
Hanford – Pete Parra is pleased to announce the support and endorsement of Actor and Central Valley Water Advocate Paul Rodriguez for Parra´s campaign for the 30th State Assembly District.
Rodriguez is Chair of the California Latino Water Coalition, a statewide organization dedicated to imp...
January 22, 2010
California's Largest Law Enforcement Group Adds Additional Momentum to Hahn's Campaign.
Los Angeles - The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) announced today it is backing Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn in her bid to become California's next Lieutenant Governor....
January 22, 2010
Strong Grassroots Support, and Over $300,000 in Campaign Contributions.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams continues to build momentum in his bid for State Assembly announcing today that his campaign has raised over $300,000 as of the reporting period that ...
January 21, 2010
The CSU Chancellor´s Office again has missed an opportunity to be open and transparent with faculty and the public at large
A new report released by the State Auditor´s office of in January shows the CSU Chancellor´s Office has failed to implement nearly all of the recommendati...
January 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) is calling on the administration of California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo to not allow wealthy donors to influence curriculum.
In October, the university eliminated a guest lecture at the request of executives from the Harri...
January 21, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) introduced Assembly Bill 1656, a measure to protect a consumer´s right to know by requiring all garments sold in California that are made of animal fur to say so on the label. Ma´s bill comes after investigations in the Los An...
January 21, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a resolution expressing condolences and solidarity with the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that took place on January 12, 2010. In addition the resolution commends the efforts of the both the U.S. a...
January 21, 2010
Sacramento- Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) today introduced a series of bills and constitutional amendments to reform the way California state government conducts its business by increasing accountability, improving efficiencies, and allowing more public participation in legislative de...
January 19, 2010
Hahn's history of fighting for education equality and civil rights for all is cited.
Los Angeles - Several prominent African American leaders today announced their support for Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn's bid for Lieutenant Governor.
Congresswoman Diane Watson, Assemblymembers Stev...
January 19, 2010
SANTA BARBARA, CA – On the heels of his first debate with Susan Jordan, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams announced today that a number of Oxnard leaders have endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District:
>> Dr. Manny Lopez, Former Oxnard Mayor
>> Henry L. "Hank" Lacayo, Cali...
January 15, 2010
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams reported Wednesday that Ventura City Councilmember Carl Morehouse has endorsed his campaign for 35th Assembly District in 2010.
"Ventura needs an Assemblymember who understands local government concerns and local issues," said Ven...
January 14, 2010
SACRAMENTO – On reconsideration, the Assembly Public Safety Committee approved SB 399 – The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act – which would allow courts to review cases of juveniles sentenced to life without parole after 10 years, potentially providing a new sentence of 25 years to life.
"SB 399 re...
January 12, 2010
Sacramento - Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) announced last week that James M. Dorn, from Chino Hills, CA has been chosen as this year´s There Ought To Be A Law contest winner.
After reviewing over 40 submissions, Senator Huff has decided to take on Dorn´s idea as part of this yea...
January 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Law enforcement officials and child advocates joined Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) Friday to announce legislation in response to the recent Richmond case in which a 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped repeatedly by a group of young males with as many as twenty witnesses to the c...
January 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill (SB) 2 (in the 5th Extraordinary Session), authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Senate Bill X5 2 expands and improves public access to California´s student performance data (CALPADS). The bill passed during a special sess...
January 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO – As a result of a legal settlement at a California high school, school administrators are on notice to stop censoring student speech says a state senator. After settling an 18-month legal battle, Fallbrook Union High School District must pay nearly $28,000 as a result of a principal vio...
January 12, 2010
San Francisco, CA— Mayor Gavin Newsom, District Attorney Kamala D. Harris and Supervisor Carmen Chu today launched the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking. The partnership between city government agencies and community providers was formed to raise public awareness about the ...
January 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee today reintroduced legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking. In addition to the courts seizing property, SB 677 would add civil penalties of up to $25,000. Governor Arnold Sch...
January 06, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors approved penalty increases for disabled parking violations. The increase required changes to the California Vehicle Code, enacted in new law authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco).
"Disabled p...
January 04, 2010
SACRAMENTO – The end of 2009 brought unfortunate news to women across the state, and Sen. Jenny Oropeza hopes to reverse that trend in 2010 with her first bill of the year.
First, the Preventive Services Task Force sparked a national uproar when it recommended early last month that women at low...
December 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno announced plans to reintroduce legislation that would protect airline passengers from lengthy delays on the tarmac without basic necessities such as fresh air, clean water, food and access to operating bathrooms. The California Airline Passenger Bill of Rights legislat...
December 23, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – January 1, 2010 not only marks the New Year, but also the effective date for many new California laws. Among the bills taking effect on January 1 are several important new laws that address some of California´s most pressing issues, including the mortgage crisis, water conserva...
December 19, 2009
The College Democrats at Sacramento State announced today their endorsement of Chris Garland in the campaign to replace Dave Jones in the 9th Assembly District.
"Chris has promoted and advanced the needs, issues and values of the Democratic Party throughout his career as political organizer for the...
December 18, 2009
San Francisco, CA— Mayor Gavin Newsom introduced legislation to grant local small businesses a payroll tax credit against the costs of participating in Healthy San Francisco. The legislation will provide businesses with 20-49 employees an annual $2,000 payroll tax credit to help offset the cos...
December 18, 2009
San Francisco, CA—Mayor Newsom yesterday introduced two pieces of legislation that will create jobs, improve seismic safety and reform city pensions and benefits to curtail rising costs.
The seismic safety legislation, co-sponsored by Board President David Chiu, and Supervisors John Avalaos...
December 18, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA-- Today, on a 21-7 vote, the Senate passed its second education reform bill, SB X5 4 (Romero), to the Assembly. The comprehensive bill was a compromise between the Senate and Assembly and still contains innovative and bold reforms necessary for California to be eligible and competiti...
December 17, 2009
The California Faculty Association has announced an early endorsement of Chris Garland in the race for the Democratic nomination for the 9th Assembly District.
According to President Lillian Taiz, "Chris understands that education is the key that will unlock a better future for our children and o...
December 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Several bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) are set to become law on January 1, 2010. These new laws range from protecting consumers and children to bringing greater transparency of state and local government. In all, nine new laws authored by Yee will go into effec...
December 16, 2009
For too long, Sacramento politicians have had the power to draw their own district lines. Naturally, they drew districts that furthered their interests, rather than the people´s interests.
We saw gerrymandered districts drawn like the 22nd Senate District. During the 1990s, it was comprise...
December 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA-- This week, the Assembly Education Committee voted to kill SB X5 1, the comprehensive and bipartisan bill containing innovative and bold reforms necessary for California to be eligible and competitive for the federal Race to the Top grants, in a 6-5-6 vote. SB X5 1, co-authored by S...
December 11, 2009
San Francisco, CA—Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that the San Francisco JOBS NOW program has used federal stimulus funds to put 1,200 San Franciscans back to work, and is seeking an additional 1,300 job participants before the funds expire September 2010. Additionally, the Mayor outlined t...
December 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO –While a state audit released yesterday unveiled over $150,000 in improper expense reimbursements to a former CSU executive, it did not disclose that the same individual is now receiving a public salary of $238,000 annually at the University of California. Today, Senator Leland Yee (D-Sa...
November 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, introduced a package of three bills into the Fifth Extraordinary Session on Education which addresses the federal Race to the Top program. Assembly Bill 5xxxxx, 6xxxxx, and 7xxxxx are common-sense reforms to help more qualified and dedicated i...
November 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – In an effort to keep terrorist detainees off U.S. soil and out of U.S. courts, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) signed a discharge petition to bring H.R. 2294, the "Keep Terrorists Out of America Act," to the House floor for a vote. Bono Mack issued the following statement:
...
November 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the House Democratic Steering Committee has approved recommendations for committee appointments for two new Members, Congressman John Garamendi of California and Congressman Bill Owens of New York, who were both sworn in earlier this month.
...
November 18, 2009
California Democratic Party Executive Board passes a resolution calling for end to war in Afghanistan, sends ´clear´ message to President Obama to not escalate conflict.
SAN DIEGO – The California Democratic Party Executive Board has approved an extraordinary resolution – to be forwarded to Pre...
November 18, 2009
Peace Officer Research Association of California backs council candidate.
NORTH HOLLWOOD – California´s largest law enforcement organization, the Peace Officer Research Association of California (PORAC), announced Friday that it has endorsed Los Angeles City Council Candidate Paul Krekor...
November 18, 2009
NORTH HOLLWOOD – Pete Sanchez, former City Council candidate and leader of the Valley Village community, endorsed Paul Krekorian this week, another neighborhood advocate to endorse Krekorian. With Sanchez, and former candidates Tamar Galatzan and Mary Benson. Krekorian now has the support of the top...
November 18, 2009
Jerome E. Horton, Vice Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), today announced the expansion of its available online educational products to include the virtual replication of Small Business Fairs and Seminars for Nonprofit Organizations.
These online products are a co...
November 18, 2009
DeVore for California released a new web video exposing the Carly Fiorina campaign's liaison with Democrats and the left -- and its desperate reliance on a campaign of whispers, rumors, and smears against Chuck DeVore. The video (viewable at http://bit.ly/3RgLZc) walks the viewer through the Fio...
November 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which aims to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and ensure an adequate supply of water for California in the years ahead.
Simitian´s Senate Bill 1 (in the Seventh Extrao...
November 16, 2009
Oakland – The Senate and Assembly select committees on Improving State Government convened last week to hear testimony on ballot box budgeting and initiative process reforms. The joint hearing was the second of five highlighting key areas in which the state government needs reform. The committees&a...
November 18, 2009
BURLINGTON, VT – Democracy for America, our nation's largest progressive political action community, endorsed Henry Vandermeir for DNC Delegate.
As president of the California Democratic Council, Vandermeir has focused on bringing training and organizing resources to more than 400 clubs and count...
November 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), a vigorous supporter of legislation to save the Delta and ensure water sustainability for all Californians, congratulated Governor Schwarzenegger for signing the Legislature´s historic, comprehensive water bill package that outlines California...
November 09, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – While Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) called Friday´s signing of several water bills "historic," several San Francisco leaders and environmentalists object to the water deal and believe that it is more of a 19th Century solution to a current day problem.
"Thi...
November 09, 2009
Palm Springs, CA -- In an effort to keep dangerous terrorists out of California, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today launched today an online petition calling on President Obama to keep Guantanamo Bay detainees from being transferred to the State of California.
"We as Californians need to ...
November 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) recently was recognized as a California Regional Technology Leader for 2009 by TechAmerica. The award is given to legislators who strongly support high-tech in California. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma made the following statement of the award.
...
November 07, 2009
Schwarzenegger Administration May Not Be Convinced.
Sacramento, CA — US Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.) is asking that the state´s government fully restore its funding program for California´s domestic violence shelters. In a July line-item veto, Governor Schwarzenegger eliminat...
November 07, 2009
LOS ANGELES – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) joined Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach and other local officials to warn homeowners about misleading and official-looking letters asking for fees to file their property tax reduction requests and to highlight a new law, Assembly Bill 992 ...
November 06, 2009
Washington, DC – John Garamendi, a former California Lieutenant Governor, State Insurance Commissioner, state legislator, and Deputy Interior Secretary, was sworn into Congress by Speaker Nancy Pelosi today.
A link to Garamendi´s swearing in ceremony and speech is available here.
"Mada...
November 05, 2009
WALNUT CREEK – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi has comfortably won Northern California´s 10th Congressional District special election.
"Today, the voters have spoken; they still have hope and still want change," Garamendi told a crowd of hundreds of enthusiastic supporters. "I will hit the g...
November 05, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) lauded bipartisan legislation passed by the California State Legislature to address the state´s water crisis.
Senator Boxer said, "I commend the legislature and the governor for their successful efforts to approve a comprehensive wat...
November 05, 2009
Bill extends commitment to Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Basin.
Washington, DC – Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), has joined Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and John Ensign (R-NV) in introducing sweeping legislation to protect Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Basin from a variety of serio...
November 05, 2009
Sacramento – On a bipartisan basis the California State Assembly today passed a historic plan to increase water supply reliability while improving the fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the source of drinking water for two-thirds of the state. The plan includes both a comprehensive policy package...
November 05, 2009
LOS ANGELES – State Senator Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) and the California Latino Legislative Caucus convened "El Poder Verde" Green Jobs Summit last week in downtown Los Angeles. The summit was organized to bring together public and private sector stakeholders mobilizing the "green movement" th...
November 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) praised the Senate´s passage of legislation to extend unemployment insurance for nearly 2 million Americans who would have otherwise lost their benefits by the end of the year. The bill will extend benefits by 14 weeks for jobless workers ac...
November 05, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (Sherman Oaks) announced that California State University, Northridge (CSUN) received $165,000 in federal funding for construction of the Valley Performing Arts Center. Once completed, the Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN will serve as the premi...
November 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA – Just after midnight, the California state Senate passed SB X5 1 with a 21-12 bipartisan vote. The comprehensive bill containing reforms necessary for California to be eligible and competitive for the federal Race to the Top grants is authored by Senator Gloria Romero (D- East Los A...
November 05, 2009
WALNUT CREEK – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi comfortably won Northern California´s 10th Congressional District special election. With 29 percent reporting, Garamendi currently holds an 18-point lead.
"Today, the voters have spoken; they still have hope and still want change," Garamendi...
November 03, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Schiff announced last week that the cities of Burbank and Glendale will each receive $20 million to help build energy-efficient smart grids. Burbank and Glendale received two of only 100 such grants in the country, provided by the American Reinvestment and Recove...
November 03, 2009
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced last week the completion of a free Wi-Fi network for Treasure Island and its residents. The Treasure Island network connects over 400 units of low income and subsidized housing to free Wi-Fi; in addition it provides coverage for other residents on the...
November 03, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Brad Sherman is proposing legislation to allow Bob Hope and Van Nuys Airports to implement mandatory nighttime curfews from 10 PM to 7 AM.
Sherman´s legislation comes in the wake of the Federal Aviation Administration´s decision to reject the "Part 161" applic...
November 02, 2009
Yee and Papan: Mandatory delivery of white pages wastes paper, energy, and scarce local government resources.
SACRAMENTO – Following the successful efforts of Cleveland, Ohio and Miami, Florida, California could become the largest jurisdiction to give telephone customers a choice in receiving t...
November 02, 2009
Legislation Covers 96 percent of Americans, Reduces the Deficit.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time in U.S. history, all Americans would have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation unveiled by House Democrats on Thursday. The House is expe...
November 03, 2009
Lawmaker calls the bill "a building block toward real nationwide interoperability."
Washington, DC – The House last week passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) to improve emergency communications capacity at the state and local levels. The bill, S.1694, exten...
November 02, 2009
Wolk selected for work to empower counties in the Delta and throughout the state.
SACRAMENTO — One of the state´s lead advocacy groups for local government announced today that it will award State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) its highest honor.
The California State Association of ...
November 02, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Schiff introduced a Resolution last week in the House of Representatives honoring William Bratton for his career in public service as Chief of Police of the cities of Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. On August 5th, Chief Bratton announced he would step down as L...
November 02, 2009
Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes Report Shows Longer Wait Times at DMV Due to Furloughs.
SACRAMENTO - The Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes released a report today that shows the Governor´s furlough program has caused longer wait times and an overall deterioration of services at ...
November 02, 2009
You would think that an idea that would not only help a government agency run better but save the taxpayers significant money in the bargain would be, well, a bargain. And you would also think that those who brand themselves fiscal conservatives would be leading the charge on getting these ideas put...
November 02, 2009
NORTH HOLLWOOD – Mary Benson, one of the most respected neighborhood advocates in the region and a former candidate in the race for City Council candidate, announced her full endorsement of Paul Krekorian on Friday. The announcement of Benson´s support is a very significant development in the...
October 31, 2009
The following statement was issued Oct. 30, 2009 by San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsome:
"It is with great regret I announce today that I am withdrawing from the race for governor of California. With a young family and responsibilities at city hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time re...
October 30, 2009
Interior Appropriations Bill Includes More Than $18 Million for California Sought By Boxer.
Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate passed the Interior Appropriations bill on Thursday, which included more than $18 million in funding for key projects throughout California secured by Senator Barbara Box...
October 30, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Brad Sherman announced Thursday that $1,000,000 in federal appropriations funding to acquire land for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was approved by the House.
The funds were secured in the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior and Environment appropriations bill...
October 29, 2009
New members of Technology Leaders for Boxer include CEOs of Google, Symantec, Adobe, Netflix and Applied Materials.
Los Angeles – Twenty-six additional technology leaders, including Brook Byers, Charles M. Geschke, Reed Hastings, Vinod Khosla, Eric Schmidt, Mike Splinter and John W. Thompson, h...
October 28, 2009
Diesel´s Consumption Declines 11.2%.
Jerome E. Horton, Vice Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), today released gasoline and diesel consumption figures for July 2009. California gasoline demand rose by 2.2 percent in July compared to the same month of the previ...
October 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Young Democrats (CYD) enjoyed overwhelming success with its biennial Tahoe retreat held October 23-25. More than 400 enthusiastic young Democrats from across the state answered the call for change and gathered to plan strategy for a strong "Young Voter Revolution Campaign...
October 27, 2009
CDP "Mop Squad" Goes to Republican Party's Headquarters.
John Burton, Chair of the California Democratic Party, released a video today showing Democrats delivering mops and petitions to the California Republican Party´s Headquarters with a request to work with them in a "bipartisan way." The vi...
October 24, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco will receive $1 million for the city´s electric vehicle program as part of the energy funding bill passed by Congress this week.
"We are committed to making San Francisco and the Bay Area the most successful electric vehicle market in the country," said May...
October 23, 2009
Los Angeles - Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank), flanked by children, their families, Screen Actors Guild executives, law enforcement and others, announced the passage of legislation to protect young actors from scams that could save families millions of dollars.
"Complaints from consumers a...
October 23, 2009
Sacramento – Thursday the Senate and Assembly select committees on Improving State Government held the first in a series of joint hearings. Senate Chair Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) and Assembly Chair Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) led the discussion on legislative branch and budget process reforms.
...
October 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, the chair of the California State Lands Commission (SLC), yesterday requested the addition of three temporary SLC auditors and a staff assistant to monitor California´s significant revenue producing oil and gas leases.
"It is penny-wise and...
SAG, Majority Leader Krekorian, and Mark Lambert Announce Passage of Consumer Protection Legislation
October 22, 2009
Los Angeles - Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank), flanked by children, their families, Screen Actors Guild executives, law enforcement and others, announced the passage of legislation to protect young actors from scams that could save families millions of dollars.
"Complaints from consumers a...
October 20, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance) announced that Governor Schwarzenegger signed his legislation to create a cost-effective solution to deal with the growing number of abandoned boats in California´s waterways. Assembly Bill 166 will establish a vessel turn-in program that...
October 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Nearly three months after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) eliminated all state funding for domestic violence shelters, tomorrow he will sign emergency legislation introduced by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to restore $16.3 million for 94 shelters and centers throu...
October 19, 2009
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Andre Quintero as the next Mayor of El Monte. Quintero is running for Mayor in the upcoming November 3, 2009 election.
"Andre impressed the LALCV board with his knowledge of environmental issues and his commitme...
October 19, 2009
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Norma Macias for El Monte City Council. Macias is running for one of two council seats in the upcoming November 3, 2009 election in El Monte. LALCV has also endorsed Andre Quintero, who is running for Mayor of El Monte....
October 19, 2009
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Oscar Magaña and Ed Varela for the Maywood City Council. The League also recently endorsed candidate Felipe Aguirre, an incumbent.
Magaña, Varela and Aquirre are running in the upcoming November 3, 2009 election...
October 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) has successfully passed a second law in response to the 2007 Cosco Busan container ship that hit the Bay Bridge and spilled 53,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Bay. Earlier this week, the Governor signed Yee´s Senate Bill 30...
October 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO— This weekend Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) that works to ensure that the transit needs of all rural Californians are met by updating the Transportation Development Act of 1971, which provides funding for public transportat...
October 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Award-winning recording artist Moby joined Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) today to urge Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) to immediately sign legislation to save California´s domestic violence shelters.
Yesterday, the California State Senate unanimously appr...
October 15, 2009
(LOS ANGELES) – On the heels of the Governor signing AB 260 (Lieu), landmark mortgage reform legislation, Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrrance) joined with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Speaker Karen Bass and other members of the Legislature to announce the first field hearing on AB 1588, ...
October 15, 2009
San Francisco, California – Mayor Gavin Newsom commended Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing into law a bill that will fund and improve the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.
"Thanks to the Governor and the important leadership of Senator Mark Leno who sponsored this legislation, we ...
October 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today unanimously approved legislation to restore $16.3 million in funding to save the state´s domestic violence shelters. The bill, which was defeated in September as a result of petty politics, was approved under reconsideration and now heads to the ...
October 13, 2009
Needed Government Accountability Bills Are Vetoed.
Sacramento – Bill A. Lloyd, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California issued the following statement today.
"In a year of devastating cuts to healthcare and other vital services, we are pleased that the ...
October 13, 2009
State Senator Leland Yee has announced that he is supporting Nadia Holober for Millbrae City Council. In his announcement endorsing Holober, Senator Yee highlighted Nadia Holober´s experience and commitment to improving Millbrae´s local economy:
"I am endorsing Nadia Holober´s ca...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Sunday Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill 19, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which ensures California´s eligibility to compete for $4.5 billion in federal school funding. The bill puts to rest a controversy Simitian describes as "a tempest in a teap...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed State Senator Joe Simitian´s (D-Palo Alto) Senate Bill 20. The bill would have strengthened and updated California´s landmark privacy protection law that requires businesses and state agencies to notify residents when sensitive personal informa...
October 13, 2009
(Sacramento) - Yesterday Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer), a bipartisan public safety measure that will help decrease drunk driving by requiring DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices (IIDs) on their cars. It creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Lo...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Despite overwhelming bipartisan support in the Legislature, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) vetoed legislation that would have prohibited executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California and the California State University.
"It is deeply ...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) vetoed two bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) which would have brought greater transparency and accountability to the State´s public higher education institutions.
SB 218, which overwhelmingly passed the Legi...
October 13, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today announced the Governor signed into law his landmark mortgage reform legislation to address the systematic failures in California´s mortgage industry. AB 260 is one of the most comprehensive new mortgage reform laws in the nation.
"...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) announced the Governor has signed the Car Buyer´s Protection Act into law. The bill requires car dealers to pay off a lien on a car before it is sold or traded. Dealers will have 21 days to make that payment.
"Many consumers across the ...
October 13, 2009
(Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 590, Assembly member Mike Feuer´s landmark measure that will make California the first state in the nation to establish a model program providing a right to counsel for low-income people in critical civil cases.
"This law helps...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Two bills by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) to bring recognition to Harvey Milk and out-of-state same sex marriages were signed into law late yesterday. Governor Schwarzenegger approved SB 572 (Chapter 626) to create Harvey Milk Day, a day of special of special significance in Cal...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Schwarzenegger has signed AB 1457 into law, which is a measure to confront the failing quality of care in nursing homes created by the lack of transparency in the ownership and management structure of these facilities.
AB 1457 will require each licensee of a skill...
October 12, 2009
Sacramento, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law legislation that will help law enforcement officials track down and apprehend armed criminals and other prohibited persons. AB 962 by Assembly Member Kevin DeLeon (D-Los Angeles) had the support of law enforcement officials from across...
October 12, 2009
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer), a bipartisan public safety measure that will help decrease drunk driving by requiring DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices (IIDs) on their cars. It creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Los Angele...
October 07, 2009
San Francisco, CA — The Newsom for California campaign announced today that Congressman Bob Filner (San Diego), Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans´ Affairs, has endorsed Mayor Gavin Newsom for governor.
Rep. Filner was first elected to Congress in 1992 a...
October 07, 2009
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) calls on the governor to sign legislation now pending at his desk that will save money and bring California more federal dollars.
"We must seize every opportunity to save money and bring in more federal dollars," said Evans. "After wi...
October 07, 2009
BILLS WITH SIGNIFICANT FISCAL IMPACT
SB 84 (Steinberg) – Ensures that 500 low-performing schools statewide will get $400 million they are owed in fiscal year 2009-10.
AB 1175 (Torlakson) – Increases the safety of the Antioch and Dumbarton bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area by adding them...
October 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Domestic Violence, convened a hearing to investigate the devastating impacts of Governor Schwarzenegger´s $16 million cut to domestic violence shelters. Since the budget cuts, six domestic violence...
October 06, 2009
The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) today voted unanimously to name Jerome E. Horton as Vice Chair of the publicly elected tax board. He will also serve as the Board´s Legislative Committee Chair.
Horton was sworn in October 5 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as 4th District Member ...
October 03, 2009
Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D – CA), and Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-09-951R), which they requested from the GAO, which outlines the steps President Obama and Congress can take to bring an end to the fa...
October 03, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a longtime advocate of health care for all and author of the groundbreaking report "Priced Out: Health Care in California," joined members of California´s largest physicians´ union to support a public option as part of national health c...
October 03, 2009
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) hailed an announcement by the Obama Administration that the National Institute of Health (NIH) will direct $61.5 million in grants to fund 107 medical research-related projects in the Ninth Congressional District.
The NIH funds biomedical r...
October 03, 2009
ANAHEIM, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2009) Anaheim Mayor and High-Speed Rail Authority Board Chairman Curt Pringle today joined Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger at a press conference in Los Angeles as the Governor submitted the state´s application for a share of $8 billion set aside for high-...
October 03, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that Nektar Therapeutics has selected Mission Bay to establish a state-of-the-art R&D center and corporate headquarters.
"This is an extraordinary milestone for Mission Bay. With this move, Nektar will bring 150 biotech jobs to San Francisc...
October 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) voted today to invest in critical science, research, and renewable energy programs. The FY2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act funds projects which speed the development of cleaner, more efficient energy and vehicle technolog...
October 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) and Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-29) praised House passage of their legislation to help law enforcement and fire officials track convicted arsonists and prevent unnecessary disasters caused by arson. The Managing Arson Through Criminal History ...
October 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Calling attention to significant privacy and security risks associated with popular peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today commended the House Energy and Commerce Committee for passing legislation she authored that will help keep users...
September 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO – With legislation (Senate Bill 86) pending before the Governor to limit executive pay hikes at the University of California (UC) and the California State University, UC President Mark Yudof is adding fuel to the public ire regarding his leadership.
In a recent interview with the New ...
September 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA----The California Tax Reform Association (CTRA), which participated in many discussions of the Commission on the Twenty-First Century Economy, criticized the report as "a failure to provide a fair, long-term solution to California´s revenue and tax problems."
Executive Direct...
September 30, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Newsom today announced recommendations from San Francisco´s Urban Wind Power Task Force, charged with finding ways to encourage the expansion of local wind power generation in San Francisco. The Task Force´s 29 recommendations include working at the state-level ...
September 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO--Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has until October 11 to sign into law a measure to increase recycling incentives to maintain funding for curbside and other recycling services throughout the state.
Senate Bill 402 by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) would add roughly 1.5 billion additional...
September 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The University of California has egregiously violated the California Public Records Act by refusing to respond to several public records requests made by the California Nurses Association (CNA).
State law requires public entities to promptly respond to all public records requests an...
September 28, 2009
Santa Maria, CA – Atascadero´s former Mayor Pro Tem Roberta Fonzi announced her support of Republican front-runner Etta Waterfield for the open 33rd district assembly seat.
"Etta Waterfield is exactly the type of legislator we need in Sacramento," said Roberta Fonzi. "Taxpayers can trus...
September 28, 2009
Los Angeles - A network of election reform non-profits has launched a campaign called "Diebold: Return Our Money," www.DieboldReturnOurMoney.com demanding that the Diebold/Premier Corporation return more than $100 million to the State of California. The coalition cites a study by the Secretary of St...
September 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Students attending University of California campuses around the state, many for the first day of class, are experiencing walkouts, rallies, teach-ins and labor strikes caused by rising student fees, unpaid employee furloughs, layoffs, course cutbacks and collective bargaining disputes. ...
September 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO—Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has until October 11 to sign a measure by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help prevent the loss of state parklands to private and corporate development.
Senate Bill 679 prohibits the use of state parklands for non-park uses such as infrastructure ...
September 23, 2009
On Monday, September 21, 2009, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) and the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee (RCDCC) joined forces to support Intervenors Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and the Petitioners in the St. John's v. Sc...
September 23, 2009
PALO ALTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his ninth annual "There Oughta Be A Law" contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for state legislation.
"This has been a challenging year for California," said Simitian. "But experience tells me that especia...
September 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today announced $765,828 in federal funding for the Desert Alliance for Community Empowerment (DACE). This grant money will help DACE continue to promote development and business enterprises in the Coachella Valley.
"These funds will h...
September 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) yesterday announced that the City of Moreno Valley and the City of Murrieta will receive federal dollars to support local law enforcement efforts. Totaling $105,989 and $13,610, respectively, the funds were issued through the Edward Byrne Memo...
September 22, 2009
SAN DIEGO – Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr. (D-San Jose) and Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) hosted an informational hearing of the Assembly´s Select Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to examine the emerging issues of substance abuse in the senior community.
Beall, who chairs t...
September 20, 2009
San Francisco, CA — Former State Senator Sheila Kuehl (Santa Monica), a longtime leader in the effort for universal health care and the rights of the LGBT community, has endorsed Mayor Gavin Newsom for governor, the Newsom campaign announced today. First elected to the State Assembly in 1994, ...
September 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Tran is urging the public to contact the Governor and members of the California Legislature to oppose plans to let thousands of dangerous criminals out of prison before they have fully paid their debt to society. It is irresponsible and threatens the safety of Californians....
September 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 14, which requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean renewable energy sources by 2020 has been approved by the legislature. The bill, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) now heads to the Governor who has until October 11th to...
September 16, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – On the one year anniversary of the Lehman Brothers collapse, Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today announced the introduction of AB 1588, the Monitored Mortgage Workout Program, which would provide for state-appointed monitors to ensure homeowners have a chance to work out with t...
September 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 48, authored by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), Assemblymember Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) and co-authored by Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod (D-Chino), was approved by the California Legislature on Friday. Once signed by the Governor, this bi...
September 12, 2009
SACRAMENTO- The State Legislature has passed SB 19 by State Senator Joe Simitian, (D-Palo Alto). The measure is designed to put to rest a controversy Simitian describes as "a tempest in a teapot" over California´s eligibility for federal funds for schools.
SB 19 is necessary said Simitian...
September 12, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- The California Senate today passed legislation that in combination with the budget cuts from July, implements nearly $1 Billion in savings while improving public safety, parole supervision, and the effectiveness of our prison system. SB 18 (3X), which was approved by the Assembly in ...
September 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate, 24 hours away from adjourning for the year, approved and sent to Gov. Schwarzenegger an environmental-protection bill that promises to update the state´s landmark law to protect against global warming.
"Our Golden State must continue to shine under gorgeous ski...
September 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) issued the following statement on the Senate Floor today as he lobbied for the passage of patient safety legislation SB 820.
"I´m proud to be a co-author of this bill – which is designed to strengthen the Medical Peer Review process. It all...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — A bill addressing California´s dropout crisis passed the Senate on a 37-1 vote and will next go to the Governor for signature. SB 651 co-authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg would r...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO -- The State Legislature approved State Senator Joe Simitian´s (D-Palo Alto) SB 20, a bill to strengthen and update California´s landmark privacy protection law. The bill now goes to the Governor, who has until October 11th to sign or veto the legislation.
SB 20 builds on ...
September 10, 2009
September 9, 2009 (Sacramento) – On the heels of the Labor Day Holiday weekend, when California Highway Patrol officers made 1,417 arrests for driving under the influence, the California State Legislature approved Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer). AB 91 creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, L...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The State Senate unanimously approved legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking. In addition to the courts seizing property, SB 557 would add civil penalties of up to $25,000.
"SB 557 will bri...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On a 31-5 bipartisan vote, the California Senate today approved legislation to prohibit executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California and the California State University.
"The UC and CSU seem committed to going down the same egregious path as AIG and...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) says there are serious problems with the Conference Committee Report that was issued by the Legislative Conference Committee on Water late last night. Senator Aanestad, who served on the committee, says the report is not only missing key Republican p...
September 10, 2009
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Legislature approved a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) yesterday that would extend and expand the state´s ability to acquire lands for conservation at nearly half price through cost-neutral state tax credits and federal tax deductions.
...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — A bill to help California develop a homegrown workforce for the state´s stem cell and biotechnology industries cleared its final hurdle in the legislature today with Senate approval of amendments the Assembly adopted Tuesday. SB 471, jointly authored by Senator Gloria R...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his bill, SB 486, to facilitate the safe disposal of "sharps" (a type of medical waste that includes syringes and needles) passed its final hurdle in the Legislature. It now heads to the Governor, who has 30 days to either s...
September 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation to prohibit executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California and the California State University was resurrected today after it was all but killed last week when the Assembly Appropriations Committee held the bill. The language of SB 217 was amen...
September 09, 2009
Sacramento — Senate Bill 680, a bipartisan bill authored by Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) and Senator Gloria Romero (D – Los Angeles) was passed out of the Legislature today and now moves to the Governor´s desk for his signature. SB 680 will extend the 17 year running School Distri...
September 09, 2009
Sacramento, CA— A bill to increase transparency in education policy-making and bonds allocation authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, passed off the California Senate floor unanimously Wednesday, 39-0, and is now on its way to the Governor´s desk....
September 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) to allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions on their income tax forms to help fund the state´s Safe Surrender baby program easily passed the state Assembly today on a 69 to 0 vote. The bill now goes to the Gove...
September 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On a 32-1 vote, the State Senate today approved legislation to ensure greater access to public records at the State´s public higher education institutions – the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU), and the California Community Colleges.
SB 218, autho...
September 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO – California Senators voted today to reassure women that they can be confident with the results of one of their most important medical tests.
On a bipartisan vote, the Senate sent the governor a bill by Sen. Jenny Oropeza that would require medical providers who operate mammogram mac...
September 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno that resolves ambiguities about how out-of-state same-sex marriages will be recognized in California passed the Assembly today with a 44-27 vote.
Senate Bill 54 bill clarifies that same-sex couples who married outside of California before P...
September 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly today passed legislation that creates Harvey Milk Day in California, honoring the state´s first openly gay elected official. Senate Bill 572, authored by Senator Mark Leno, cleared the Assembly with a 45-27 vote. The bill, which designates May 22 as a day o...
September 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta) and Republican colleagues will file an appeal in the United States Supreme Court challenging an order by a Three-Judge Panel to reduce California´s prison population.
The Court order, issued on Aug. 4, 2009, calls for t...
September 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta) and other Republican Senators Huff, Cogdill and Aanestad, members of the Legislative Conference Committee on Water, joined by the Carpenters´ Union and Latino Water Coalition held a news conference to point out the need fo...
September 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) has successfully navigated a second piece of legislation in response to the 2007 Cosco Busan container ship that hit the Bay Bridge and spilled 53,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Bay. On a bipartisan 56-9 vote, the State Assembly...
September 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The State Assembly yesterday unanimously approved legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking. In addition to the courts seizing property, SB 557 would add civil penalties of up to $25,000.
"SB ...
September 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, announced she is prepared to introduce urgency legislation in order to correct a budget funding loss to the state´s lowest-performing schools. The funding loss, caused by a complicated funding swap in the r...
September 02, 2009
Gardena Councilmember Steve Bradford defeated five challengers in convincing fashion in yesterday´s Special Primary Election balloting to become Assemblymember-elect for the 51st Assembly District.
According to election results reported by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Cl...
August 31, 2009
By: Josh Kraushaar
After an August recess marked by raucous town halls, troubling polling data and widespread anecdotal evidence of a volatile electorate, the small universe of political analysts who closely follow House races is predicting moderate to heavy Democratic losses in 2010.
Some of ...
August 31, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Consumers are increasingly falling victim to a common, and often deceptive, business practice involving automatic renewals of products and services. The practice often occurs when a consumer thinks he/she is making a one-time purchase for a product, or receiving a product for free, only...
August 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – University of California and California State University administrators have killed a bill that would have limited executive pay raises during bad budget years.
Despite the fact that the Senate Appropriations Committee found no costs to the bill and the Assembly Appropriations Commi...
August 28, 2009
Sacramento — In conjunction with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and key members of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) introduced legislation today that will serve as comprehensive education reform for California´s K-12 school system. Senate Bill 1-5X will...
August 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate has unanimously approved legislation to help protect the integrity of ballots, specifically addressing the use of fraudulent character-based names, such as Chinese, Korean, and Japanese translations used during elections. Senate Bill 288, authored by Senator...
August 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On a 22-14 vote, the California State Senate today approved legislation to provide University of California employees who report waste, fraud and abuse with the same legal protections as other state employees. Despite overwhelming support from open government advocates and UC students,...
August 26, 2009
San Francisco, CA—Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the immediate availability of $100,000 in Watershed Stewardship Grants from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for neighborhood-based stormwater management projects. Eligible community projects will capture and reuse rainw...
August 21, 2009
Sacramento – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) today introduced a Constitutional Amendment to return California to a part-time Legislature and a two-year budget.
"If this Legislature is going to use a puppet sentencing commission to release prisoners then it´s usefulness as a ´full-time...
August 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Starbucks Corporation has agreed to take proactive steps to follow California´s gift card law after reaching a civil settlement with three California District Attorneys.
The complaint alleged that Starbucks failed to honor customer requests to redeem store gift cards with bala...
August 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Ironically, on the same day there was world-wide outrage over Scotland´s decision to grant an early release of the man convicted for his role in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie that killed 270 passengers, the Democrat controlled Senate approved a measure that ...
August 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) voted against a prison budget proposal that will result in the early release of thousands of felons, less prison time for serious offenses and the creation of a special Sentencing Commission that could lead to an erosion of sentencing guidelines spel...
August 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today passed significant corrections reform that will keep our communities safe while creating a more fiscally sustainable prison system. The vote in the Senate was 21-19.
"The most important question about the impact of these proposals is on public safe...
August 21, 2009
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) responded today to the Governor´s Special Session on Education to qualify California for federal "Race to the Top" education funding. In order for California to become eligible and competitive for the Race to the Top grants, the legislatur...
August 20, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair Eric C. Bauman today released the following statement regarding State Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg´s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Governor´s line-item vetoes:
"Today I directed LACDP...
August 20, 2009
Road Home Program Discussed, Analyzed Four Years After Hurricane Katrina.
New Orleans, LA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, today held the Subcommittee´s first of two hearings assessing access to and maintenanc...
August 19, 2009
(Sacramento) – Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) presented Assembly Bill 49 in a joint hearing of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources as part of a package of five bills that are considered essential to ensuring California´s...
August 20, 2009
Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced that the California Department of Conservation has released draft regulations to implement his comprehensive oil spill prevention legislation, Assembly Bill 1960 (Nava, 2008).
According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, in Decembe...
August 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation to prohibit executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California and the California State University was sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file today after UC and CSU administrators hypocritically argued that the bill would cost m...
August 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Last week Assemblyman Van Tran´s (R-Garden Grove) Assembly Bills 285 and 463 were signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am pleased that the Governor is partnering with me to ensure that California can be business friendly," said Tran. "As lawmakers, we need to promote l...
August 20, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, joined by technology leaders, Mayor Newsom announced the launch of DataSF.org, an initiative designed to improve access to government data. The new web site will provide a clearinghouse of structured, raw and machine-readable government data to the public in an easily down...
August 18, 2009
Senate and Assembly Water Committees Hear AB 49 in Joint Hearing on Comprehensive Solution to Water Crisis.
Sacramento – Today Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) presented Assembly Bill 49 in a joint hearing of the Assembly Committee on Water...
August 18, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford today announced he has gained the endorsement of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District with less than two weeks to go before Election Day on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. CSEA represents mor...
August 18, 2009
WALNUT CREEK – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, chair of the California State Lands Commission and founder of the Clean Seas Coalition, today is proud to announce that he has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club in the 10th Congressional District special primary election.
"The Sier...
August 18, 2009
Los Angeles – Pedro Nava´s Attorney General Campaign has announced the endorsement of Ed Begley Jr., actor and renowned environmental leader.
Mr. Begley has served as chairman of the Environmental Media Association, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He still serves on those boards...
August 18, 2009
Sacramento – Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) has been recognized by the California Congress of Seniors as a "2009 True Friend of Seniors." Each year, the Congress honors legislators who have made outstanding efforts to improve the wellbeing of seniors.
Feuer is being recognized f...
August 17, 2009
WALNUT CREEK, CA - The Chinese American Political Association (CAPA) has endorsed Mark DeSaulnier for Congress. CAPA joins a long list of local organizations in support of DeSaulnier for Congress, including the El Cerrito Democratic Club, East County Democrats for Action, and the Sierra Club.
...
August 17, 2009
National Health Center Week Recognizes Important Contributions of Community Health Centers.
Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) toured the Venice Family Clinic in Mar Vista Gardens as part of National Health Center Week (August 9-15), which recognizes the importance of communi...
August 17, 2009
RICHMOND, CA - The National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 1111 has endorsed Mark DeSaulnier for Congress. The local joins a long list of local labor organizations in support of DeSaulnier for Congress, including the Contra Costa Central Labor Council, the Alameda Central Labor Council, and ...
August 17, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford is raising funds and rallying supporters and volunteers for a strong close in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District with two weeks to go before Election Day on Tuesday, September 1.
Councilmember Bradford said, "We´re down to th...
August 17, 2009
Says Meaningful Reform Will Include Public Option to Cover Uninsured, Hold Insurance Companies Accountable.
Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) today responded to news from over the weekend that the public option – a government-run health insurance plan to expand consumer choic...
LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENDORSES PAUL KREKORIAN FOR LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 2
August 17, 2009
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) voted to endorse Paul Krekorian for Los Angeles City Council, District 2, in the September 22, 2009, special election to fill the vacancy created by Wendy Greuel´s election as Los Angeles City Controller.
"Paul Krekorian is ...
August 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Last month, the University of California Board of Regents yet again approved exorbitant pay raises for more than two dozen executives. The hikes, which include a 25 percent increase for UC San Francisco´s chief financial officer and pay in excess $500,000 for UCSF´s chief o...
August 12, 2009
WALNUT CREEK – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, chair of the California State Lands Commission and founder of the Clean Seas Coalition, today is proud to announce that he has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club in the 10th Congressional District special primary election.
"The Sier...
August 07, 2009
Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced that he will author legislation to require the oil industry to pay Californians a percentage of the value of the oil they take from California lands and sea beds.
"This budget crisis has hit California very hard. It appalls me that Wall St...
August 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law Senate Bill 39 (Good Samaritan Protection Act), which will take effect immediately. SB 39, Benoit´s first law as a State Senator, clarifies the Legislature´s 1980 Good...
August 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 159, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), making legislation that requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching roadside emergency scenes along the highway, permanent.
The original legislation, SB 1610, was one of the ...
August 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) today announced that he will file a lawsuit against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger early next week that contends the Governor violated his constitutional authority in making line item vetoes to portions of the Legislature´s...
August 07, 2009
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer/Benoit), legislation which encourages individuals to act as "Good Samaritans" and voluntarily help rescue others in peril. The legislation goes into effect immediately.
"Now Good Samaritans have no reason to hesita...
August 07, 2009
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 392 (Feuer), urgency legislation that will immediately restore $1.6 million for local Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs over the next year. The bill will help ensure protection from abuse and neglect for California´s vulnerable and...
August 06, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, says that the U.S. Department of Education´s decision to accelerate payments to states receiving federal education recovery funds will make a huge difference for cash-strapped California schools. U.S. Secretary of Edu...
August 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA - Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, today announced a public hearing to examine whether California is ineligible for any of the $4.35 billion in federal "Race to the Top" funds for education reform because of a state law that limits use of student achieve...
August 05, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom signed a balanced budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year that focuses on solving the budget challenge by attracting new jobs, making smart infrastructure investments, and preserving jobs for police officers, firefighters, teachers, and nurses. This yea...
August 05, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Baldwin Vista) today announced a series of public hearings to review and adopt legislation to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and create a more reliable water supply for Califo...
August 01, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford has announced that California Democratic Party delegates have endorsed him in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District.
Councilmember Bradford said, "With the crucial vote among my party´s delegates now concluded, I am extremely pl...
August 01, 2009
Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti will be presenting Michael Torchia, founder of Operation Fitness with a resolution from the City of Los Angeles for his work as a health expert and his Shape Up America Campaign. Torchia will be is receiving this resolution marking A...
July 31, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State University administration again submitted hypocritical statements this week in a letter opposing SB 217 – legislation to prohibit executive pay raises during bad budget years. While the CSU administration has called for furloughs of faculty and other employees as a...
July 30, 2009
AB 1005 will require live broadcasts of Board meetings.
SACRAMENTO - It's not quite time for "Lights! Camera! Action!" but the California Board of Accountancy is preparing for the passage of Assembly Bill 1005 and with it, the requirement that the Board make live broadcasts of its meetings avail...
July 30, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford has announced Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn has endorsed him in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District.
Councilmember Bradford said, "I am pleased to have the endorsement of Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn in my campaign for the 51st A...
July 29, 2009
Washington, DC – Emphasizing the importance of supporting state and local law enforcement efforts in Riverside County and across the country, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today was pleased to announce that several local cities including Blythe, Hemet, Indio, Palm Springs and Cathedral City, ...
July 29, 2009
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a $24 billion budget solution that includes $16.1 billion in spending reductions. Over the past five months, the Governor has consistently led the difficult task of solving a combined $60 billion budget deficit - roughly a third of our entire state budget over t...
July 26, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- The California State Senate passed a package of bills late Friday revising the 2009-10 budget, that was passed in February, with $24.2 billion in deficit reduction solutions and a $921 million reserve; in total solving a $25.3 billion problem.
The bipartisan solution was the produ...
July 26, 2009
Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced Friday that Governor Schwarzenegger´s giveaway to big oil was defeated in the Assembly. The proposal would have allowed for the first new oil drilling lease in California State waters since the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill.
"The Govern...
July 22, 2009
LONG BEACH – With hundreds of students rallying outside the meeting room, the California State University trustees approved a new 20 percent student fee increase for the fall semester just weeks before classes are set to begin. Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a CSU trustee, cast the sole vote ag...
July 22, 2009
San Francisco, CA—Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor Carmen Chu announced that the Mayor´s Office of Housing has received a special Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) allocation of $9.8 million dollars to prevent families from losing their homes to foreclosure under the 2008 Housing Assist...
July 22, 2009
Santa Barbara – Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) and a coalition of California environmental leaders announced their vehement opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger´s Oil Drilling Budget Scheme, which may come up for a vote in the Capitol this week. The Governor is proposing ...
July 22, 2009
State Assembly´s top official calls Bradford a "proven, tested local government leader who helped guide his city back from the brink of insolvency."
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford has announced he has been endorsed by state Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, widely regarded...
July 22, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford has announced he has been endorsed by state Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District. Councilmember Bradford seeks to succeed Senator Price as Assemblymember for the 51st District.
Senator Price said, "The peo...
July 22, 2009
California State Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Feuer Legislation Preserving Ombudsman Funding.
Sacramento – The California State Senate has approved Assembly Bill 392 (Feuer) with strong bipartisan support on a vote of 33-3. AB 392 would immediatel...
July 22, 2009
Mark Massara Says Nava is Best Person to Protect the Environment as Attorney General.
San Francisco - Legendary national, California environmental activist attorney, Smithsonian Institution honoree, surfer Mark Massara, has endorsed Pedro Nava for Attorney General.
"I am supporting Nava beca...
July 21, 2009
Governor Names Sham Committee Sale of California´s Coastline May Begin Thursday with a Budget Vote.
Santa Barbara – Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) and a coalition of California environmental leaders today announced their vehement opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarze...
July 21, 2009
Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Felton Newell Launches Congressional Campaign for California's 33rd District.
Los Angeles – Felton Newell, a criminal prosecutor for the Los Angeles City Attorney´s office, officially announced today that that he is a Democratic candidate to represent California...
July 17, 2009
(Sacramento)- Today, Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) introduced a series of bills in the 4th Extraordinary Session to reduce California´s ongoing budget deficit by saving taxpayer dollars and reforming or eliminating various state agencies and programs.
"Each of these mea...
July 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) and Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino) are teaming up in an act of bi-partisan cooperation to serve as joint authors for legislation designed to improve patient safety in California by reforming Medical Peer Review. This is the process where a c...
July 15, 2009
Sacramento - Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced today that the Senate Education Committee approved AB 867 to address a severe nursing shortage in California. The bill is supported by 47 Republican and Democratic coauthors in the legislature and about 80 health, education, and econ...
July 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Another scandal has hit the California State University involving an auxiliary organization operating at Fresno State. The Fresno Bee is reporting that a Superior Court judge ruled that a CSU trustee had a conflict of interest when, as the chief executive officer of a movie-theater com...
July 15, 2009
Fremont – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) introduced legislation today to create a sales tax exemption for automobile manufacturing in the state of California.
"This bill sends a clear signal that we want to develop incentives to keep the NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturin...
July 15, 2009
Fraser Says Nava Will Fight for California Workers as the Next Attorney General of California.
Camarillo - Martel Fraser, President of the Tri-Counties Central Labor Council (Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo) and Political Director, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1036*...
July 14, 2009
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - The Van Tran for U.S. Congress committee shattered all previous fundraising numbers by raising over $250,000 in only six weeks of fundraising. This torrid pace launches the campaign into the top tier of all fundraising quarters for candidates for Congress in the entire Nation. By...
July 15, 2009
Sacramento – A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) linking career-oriented technical education programs offered in high schools and community colleges to the needs of the local economy passed the California State Assembly 57-11.
SB 515 requires that at least half of technical education co...
July 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO—The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 7-3 today to approve legislation to help protect vulnerable seniors from being targeted for complex and expensive reverse mortgages, regardless of the loan´s suitability.
"Reverse mortgages can have potentially devastating finan...
July 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO: SB 469, from Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), is one step away from reaching the desk of Governor Schwarzenegger after receiving final and unanimous support on the Floor of the State Assembly. The measure would allow the administrator of the Northern California Veterans Cemetery (N...
July 09, 2009
Pilot Program to be Implemented in Los Angeles County.
Sacramento – On the heels of the Independence Day Holiday when the California Highway Patrol arrested 1,239 drunk driving suspects, the Senate Public Safety Committee approved Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer) on a...
July 09, 2009
Salinas Says Nava is Most Qualified to be California Attorney General.
Oxnard Police Sergeant Andrew Salinas, President of the National Latino Peace Officers Association Ventura County Chapter*, endorses Pedro Nava for California Attorney General.
"I am personally endorsing Pedro Nava becaus...
July 08, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Members of a key Assembly environmental committee, acknowledging the risk cigarettes pose to California´s coastal landscape, approved a plan to ban smoking at state beaches and designated areas of state parks.
"Unfortunately, too many beach visitors are irresponsible with their...
July 08, 2009
Sacramento – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s legislation to reverse the trend of declining state support of California´s higher education system passed the Assembly Higher Education Committee 5 to 3 today.
The bill would place a tax on oil and steer the revenues to Califor...
July 06, 2009
Chief Miller Endorses Nava for California Attorney General.
Ventura - City of Ventura Police Chief Pat Miller endorses Nava for California Attorney General.
"Nava's track record exemplifies true leadership, commitment and dedication to law enforcement issues and that is why he has ...
July 06, 2009
Crombach Says Nava is a Leader and will be a Great Attorney General.
Oxnard - City of Oxnard Police Chief John Crombach endorses Pedro Nava for California Attorney General.
"I am endorsing Pedro Nava because he has the skills and practical experience to be a great Attorney General. As a...
July 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Joint Legislative Audit Committee late yesterday approved a request from Senator Mark Leno to audit and evaluate the California Family Court system and its use of court appointees in child custody disputes.
The 14-member Committee approved the audit request with a 12-0 bipartisa...
July 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Despite passing the Senate with bipartisan support, SB 399 – The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act – failed (3-4) in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The legislation, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), would have allowed courts to review cases of juveniles sen...
NEWSOM FOR CALIFORNIA RAISES MORE THAN $1.6 MILLION THIS PERIOD TO BRING NEW DIRECTION TO CALIFORNIA
July 01, 2009
More Than 3,600 Donors Help Raise Over $1 Million Online. Campaign Has Raised $2.8 Million in the Past Year.
San Francisco - Newsom for California raised more than $1.6 million this period from over 3,600 donors, the campaign announced today. The numbers reflect the campaign´s success in ...
July 01, 2009
Proven Democrat has Solid Fundraising Showing, Diverse Coalitions of Supporters.
WALNUT CREEK – Today the Garamendi for Congress campaign is excited to announce that it has raised over $300,000 from over 350 donors in a month and a half for its 10th Congressional District special election camp...
June 30, 2009
Ricky Le and Abbe Ross Named to Top Posts.
SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced today that he has named Ricky Le as the Political Director and Abbe Ross as the Chief Operating Officer of his gubernatorial campaign.
"These are difficult times, and California needs bold solutions,"
Ma...
June 30, 2009
A champion for universal health care, higher education, and economic opportunity, Garamendi will stand up for working families in Washington, DC.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Citing his lifelong support for working families as a California legislator, Insurance Commissioner and Lieutenant Governor, SEIU C...
June 30, 2009
Sheriff Brooks Says Nava Has the Experience to be California Attorney General.
Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks endorses Pedro Nava for California Attorney General.
"Nava has the experience to be a great Attorney General. As a former prosecutor, he understands what it takes to keep Califor...
June 26, 2009
Contra Costa roads will deteriorate, become unsafe if state steals $50 million in local gas tax, public employees union warns; Campaign to inform public starts on Saturday.
KENSINGTON – A local public employees union is charging that the state´s proposal to steal gas tax money from citie...
June 25, 2009
Orange County - Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced yesterday that he has been endorsed by Melahat Rafiei for California Attorney General.
"Pedro Nava is the most qualified person to serve as California´s next Attorney General. During Pedro Nava´s career as a prosecutor, Calif...
June 25, 2009
Women Leaders from around U.S. to Meet in St. Louis for AAUW Convention Lilly Ledbetter, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Jackie Speier, AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, Local Leaders Available for Interview.
ST. LOUIS, MO - Close to a thousand women leaders from nearly every state in the union...
June 25, 2009
SACRAMENTO – In July 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that University of California (UC) employees who are retaliated against because they report wrongdoing cannot sue for damages under the state´s Whistleblower Protection Act, so long as the University itself reviews the complaints in...
June 25, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA —Mayor Gavin Newsom today signed mandatory recycling
legislation requiring residential and commercial building owners to sign up
for recycling and composting services.
Mayor Newsom´s ordinance will require all residences and businesses in San Francisco to take adva...
June 25, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) and other Senate Republicans stood up for California taxpayers, by rejecting a budget proposal loaded with more than $2 billion in tax hikes. Senator Aanestad says he will not support any budget plan that places yet another burden on state taxpayers,...
June 25, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Public Safety Committee approved legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of the crime. In addition to the courts seizing property used in human trafficking, SB 557 would add civil penalties of up to $25...
June 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – A bipartisan plan to improve public safety in California, introduced by Senators Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes), cleared the Assembly Public Safety Committee on unanimous votes. Senate Bills 431 and 678 are innovative, outcome-based community probation...
June 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, SB 680, which would allow parents to send their child to whatever public school they choose that is participating in the District of Choice (DOC) program, passed the Assembly Education Committee on a bipartisan 6-1vote. The bill is co-authored by Democratic Senator Romer...
June 17, 2009
A legal challenge to Senator Loni Hancock´s (D-Oakland) "California Fair Elections Act" (signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as AB 583) was dismissed by the United States District Court yesterday evening.
An array of lobbying groups sued Secretary of State Debra Bowen, challenging the ...
June 16, 2009
CALIFORNIA FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION AND MAPLIGHT.ORG WIN PUBLIC ACCESS TO CALIFORNIA DATABASE OF LAWMAKERS' VOTES.
BERKELEY, CA — The California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) and MAPLight.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization that shows the connection between money and p...
June 16, 2009
President, Congress of California Seniors** supports Pedro Nava
Sacramento - Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced Monday that he has been endorsed by Henry L. "Hank" Lacayo, President of the Congress of California Seniors and a member of the California Commission on Aging.**
"Pedr...
June 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) sent a letter last week to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, requesting the Secretary´s assistance in restoring funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistant Program (SCAAP) in the 2010 fiscal year. The letter, s...
June 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO- Assemblyman Tran talked to reporters last week outside of Van Son Entertainment to explain details of bipartisan legislation he has co-authored to prevent counterfeiting in California. AB 568 authored by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) provides that a place used to manufacture or se...
June 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Saying the time has come for the "rubber to the meet the road," Budget Conference Committee members Sen. Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills) and Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) are urging their Democrat colleagues to move swiftly in making the reductions necessary to close the state&acut...
June 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The incoming chancellor at the University of California, Davis, is refusing to answer questions regarding an admissions scandal involving her current position as provost of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today called on Li...
June 12, 2009
Help Craft California Funding Plan for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday that they have helped establish consensus in the region about the Bay Area&a...
June 12, 2009
San Francisco—Mayor Gavin Newsom today launched the Summer Empowerment & Employment Development (SEED) Program. SEED will provide education and training to inspire youth to become advocates in their communities. This includes job training, mentoring, attending workshops, a community service pr...
June 12, 2009
San Francisco, CA – Working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed announced that they have helped establish consensus in the region about the Bay Area´s priorities for high-speed rail.
The vision as outlined by the ma...
June 12, 2009
San Francisco – Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) joined the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in the City, to provide visibility and support for Assembly Bill (AB) 144 (Ma), which will increase penalties for the abuse of disabled...
June 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno introduced a resolution late on Monday that urges the federal government to end medical marijuana raids in California. Senate Joint Resolution 14 also calls for a comprehensive federal policy to ensure safe and legal access to medical marijuana for patients who benefit...
June 10, 2009
(Sacramento) – Yesterday Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer/Benoit), legislation which encourages individuals to act as "Good Samaritans" and voluntarily help rescue others in peril, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Feuer introduced the bill following a controversial decision by the California Suprem...
June 09, 2009
Sacramento – Today Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer/Benoit), legislation which encourages individuals to act as "Good Samaritans" and voluntarily help rescue others in peril, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Feuer introduced the bill following a controversial decision by the California Supreme ...
June 09, 2009
Pilot Program to be Implemented in Alameda, Los Angeles, and Sacramento Counties.
Sacramento – Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer) has been approved by the California State Assembly Committee on a unanimous bipartisan vote of 77-0. AB 91 creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, an...
June 09, 2009
Legislation Addresses Effects of Worst Drought in California History.
Sacramento – The California State Assembly has approved two bills by Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) that will improve water efficiency and quality during California´s third consecutive drought year. AB 49 w...
June 09, 2009
Senator Pavley announces live public webcast on the budget Steinberg & Leno to Answer Budget Related Questions During Live Town Hall Forum Webcast; Californians Encouraged To Submit Questions.
SACRAMENTO - As California's elected leaders work on the difficult choices of resolving an unprecedent...
June 09, 2009
State Coalition of Probation Organizations Endorses Nava for Attorney General.
Sacramento - Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced this week that the State Coalition of Probation Organizations (SCOPO) has endorsed Nava for Attorney General.
"On behalf of the twenty four member organiz...
June 08, 2009
Tom is uniquely qualified in that he has an unquestionable Republican record, but also is able to bring together Democrats and Independents - Fmr Senate GOP Leader Jim Brulte.
Sacramento, CA- State Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) today officially kicked off his campaign for California At...
June 08, 2009
California lawmaker recognized for advancing public umbilical cord blood collection.
MINNEAPOLIS – Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) was recently honored by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) for sponsoring legislation to establish and fund the California Umbilica...
June 08, 2009
"As San Francisco´s Assessor-Recorder, it is my job to apply the law in a fair and equitable manner for all transactions. I have the utmost confidence that my office has done so in the Archdiocese transfer tax case.
After a very thorough analysis, significant consideration, and several m...
June 06, 2009
(Sacramento) –Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer) has been approved by the California State Assembly Committee on a unanimous bipartisan vote of 77-0. AB 91 creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, and requires the installation of ignition interlock devices (IID) on any...
June 06, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today announced that Assembly Bill 911, legislation that will significantly reduce dangerous overcrowding levels in California emergency rooms and would help hospitals plan for and respond to public health crises like the recent worldwide outbreak ...
June 06, 2009
Sacramento – A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) to stop the "legal rip-off" of city sales tax money was signed into law by the Governor today.
"I´m pleased we are putting an end to these "shell" sales tax scams that cost local taxpayer millions of dollars and deprive cities of thei...
June 05, 2009
Calling Woods the strongest candidate "for our Military, for Veterans and for the cause of LGBT Equality," Choi will Campaign with Woods in Northern California later this month.
FAIRFIELD, CA - The Anthony Woods for Congress Campaign today announced the endorsement of Dan Choi—an Iraq War ...
June 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate today approved a plan to help parents save for their child´s college education by allowing them to direct deposit tax refunds into qualified tuition-program accounts.
"Given today´s economy, and as college costs continue to increase, we must help provide the ...
June 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO — A bill addressing California´s dropout crisis has passed the Senate on a 33-1 vote and will next go to the Assembly Committee on Education. SB 651 co-authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinber...
June 03, 2009
West Point Graduate calls rewarding national service with college "a win/win for our economy and our security."
Fairfield, CA: In a blog and web video released yesterday, CA 10 Democratic Candidate Anthony Woods launched an online petition drive to support a National Service to College pro...
June 03, 2009
GOVERNOR PROPOSES ELIMINATION OF FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE AND OTHER CAREGIVER SUPPORTS Budget Item 4440.
SAN FRANCISCO - Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed revisions to the California State Budget will dramatically affect family caregivers. Families rely on critical support services to help ke...
June 02, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting has announced that an additional $30 million in tax revenue will be generated by the Assessor-Recorder´s office for Fiscal Year 2009-2010. $17 million of that will be directed to the City´s General Fund which will help pay ...
June 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) introduced legislation today calling upon Congress and the President of the United States to restore funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistant Program (SCAAP) in the 2010 fiscal year. Senate Joint Resolution 12 is aimed at pressuring the fe...
June 02, 2009
San Francisco—Mayor Gavin Newsom proposed a balanced budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year that focuses on solving the budget challenge by attracting new jobs and making smart infrastructure investments in order to put San Franciscans back to work. The budget preserves basic services, maintains p...
June 02, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today announced the California Assembly passed Assembly Bill 260, landmark mortgage reform legislation that would ban the worst predatory lending practices.
"We must enact landmark reforms to address the systemic failures in California's subprim...
June 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO — SB 747, which would prepare high-school students for careers in the aerospace industry by establishing a pre-apprentice program, today passed the Senate with unanimous approval on consent. The bill by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, will next be ...
June 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate approved two major bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) to assist domestic violence victims and combat human trafficking. SB 782 would prevent landlords from unfairly evicting victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. SB 557 woul...
May 30, 2009
Photo: Three of five 2009 Small Business of the Year honorees selected by Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter: From left, Pamela Ispas of Daniel's Electrical; Tom Brickley of Brickley Environmental, Dorothy Pryor Rose of Mommie Helen's Bakery, Tom Ispas of Daniel's Electrical with Assemblymember Cart...
May 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved SB 399 – The Fair Sentences for Youth Act. The legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) would allow courts to review cases of juveniles sentenced to life without parole after 10 years, potentially allowing s...
May 28, 2009
LOS ANGELES - A lawsuit filed in federal district court states that Proposition 8 -- which eliminated the right of same sex couples to marry in California -- creates a class of "second-class citizens" and thereby violates the U.S. Constitution. The suit also calls for an injunction against Propositi...
May 27, 2009
SACRAMENTO – State legislators, along with University of California (UC) students and employees, today responded to a number of egregious actions by the UC Board of Regents, including recent exorbitant executive pay hikes, by introducing a Constitutional Amendment to allow greater public oversight a...
May 27, 2009
A bill by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D – Woodland Hills) to provide loans to homeowners and businesses for the installation of water conservation systems passed the state Assembly last week. The bill, AB 474, is backed by a broad-based coalition from the California Chamber of Commerce to the S...
May 27, 2009
Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D – Woodland Hills) announced his appointment to the Legislature´s Budget Conference Committee that will tackle the state´s $21 billion deficit in the coming weeks. The appointment is significant for a legislator in his or her first term,...
May 27, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today approved two measures authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) in response to recent actions by the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU).
SB 219, which passed 23-14, would provide UC employees w...
May 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Supporters of SB 399, the Fair Sentences for Youth Act, have a launched a new website – www.fairsentencingforyouth.com – to advocate for passage of the legislation. SB 399, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), would allow courts to review cases of juveniles sente...
May 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — AB 1457, a measure to confront the failing quality of care in nursing homes created by the lack of transparency in the ownership and management structure of these facilities passed the Assembly chambers with overwhelming support on a 77-0 vote.
AB 1457 would require each ...
May 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The State of California today petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States for a review (writ of certiorari) regarding a decision by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which in February struck down a state law preventing the sale and rental of ultra-violent video games to chi...
May 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), with Senators Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills), Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad), and Jeff Denham (R-Merced) spoke out about Senate Republican plans to get Californians back to wo...
May 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) today announced that his measure to crack down on puppy mills was approved by the State Assembly on a bipartisan 51 to 11 vote.
"I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this important measure. It is imperati...
May 21, 2009
Sacramento – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) joined with other legislators and police and fire chiefs at a bipartisan Capitol press conference today to highlight his legislation aimed at enhancing the state´s safe surrender laws protecting newborns.
Earlier this week, t...
May 21, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) joined 53 of her House colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi arguing that the proposed Panama Free Trade Agreement be renegotiated. She released this statement:
"The Panama Free Trade Agreement, as it currently stands, is s...
May 20, 2009
San Francisco, CA - In the wake of the defeat of the May 19 ballot propositions by California voters, San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting is calling for a fundamental budget overhaul, starting with a renewed focus on one of the key components of the problem: the massive corporate property loop...
May 20, 2009
On Tuesday, the people of the State of California sent a strong rebuke to the Governor and State Legislature. Propositions 1A through 1E were defeated. The voters rejected the spending cap that was being promoted. They also rejected the continuing cutting of state services. As an indication ...
May 20, 2009
Courage Campaign and CREDO Mobile call for Majority Vote Budget and restoration of democracy to state legislature Special Election Results Seen as a Mandate for Progressive Change in State Government.
LOS ANGELES - In the aftermath of the May 19 special election, the Courage Campaign and CREDO...
May 20, 2009
Low Voter Turnout Rebukes Costly Special Election; Governor and Legislators Told, "Get Back to Work."
SACRAMENTO, CA – California voters overwhelmingly rejected what many saw as flawed and unworkable solutions to an escalating state budget crisis. In one of the worst voter turnouts in state hist...
May 20, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Standing atop San Francisco´s largest water reservoir, Mayor Gavin Newsom signed into law an ordinance that will lead to the construction of California´s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) installation. Upon the project´s completion in 2010, some 25,000 solar panel...
May 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today (33-1) approved legislation to help protect children involved in youth organizations from sexual predators and other violent criminals. Senate Bill 447, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), would reform the criminal background ch...
May 20, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) announced that Assembly Bill 532, which would help protect victims of domestic violence, cleared the State Assembly unanimously.
"Firearms and deadly weapons should never be left at a scene to allow an abuser to further endanger their victims a...
May 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Survivors of violent crime in California would benefit from more comprehensive services under a bill authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). Senate Bill 733, which is being heard today by the Senate Appropriations Committee, creates up to three Trauma Recovery Centers across Ca...
May 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, joined with Representative Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) to introduce legislation today, the "Truth in Fur Labeling Act," which requires honest labeling of fur products sold in the United States. The bill, supported by the Humane Society of the Un...
May 20, 2009
(San Francisco, CA) – The Treasure Island Redevelopment Project was announced today as one among 16 founding projects of the Climate Positive Development Program, a Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) program that will support the development of large-scale urban projects that demonstrate cities can g...
May 19, 2009
Sacramento - On behalf of women and all workers in this state, the California Chapter of the National Organization for Women ("California NOW") applauds Assembly Member Dave Jones for his persistent championing of equal pay for equal work with AB 793 (Jones), legislation that ensures victims of pay ...
May 19, 2009
State Controller John Chiang Endorses Ted Lieu for Attorney General.
Los Angeles, CA - Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) landed the first official statewide elected endorsement for the race for Attorney General today with the backing of California State Controller John Chiang.
"Ted Lieu e...
May 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, the chair of the State Lands Commission, issued the following statement on the May Revise proposal to sell PXP, the Tranquillion Ridge oil lease, for $100 million.
"The oil company has essentially offered to loan $100 million dollars to California ...
May 16, 2009
Governor making terroristic threats, and may be in delusional state in last ditch effort to intimidate voters to approve ´rotten' May 19 ballot props, charges Green Party.
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's announcement that he will lay off 5,000 state workers and cut money to the ...
May 15, 2009
With a Click of the Mouse Discover How Much Money Jack Weiss and Carmen Trutanich Received from the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Industries—Down to Interest Group, Company and Name of Developer.
BERKELEY, CA — MAPLight.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization that s...
May 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The state Senate today approved a plan to make California to ban smoking at state parks and beaches to protect the marine environment and reduce fire danger statewide.
"From Day One, this measure has been built on two pillars: education and prevention," Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Bea...
May 14, 2009
Reiner Led Rally in Front of Governor's Office in Downtown LA Earlier Today urging NO votes on Props. 1D & 1E.
LOS ANGELES – The NO on Prop. 1D & 1E campaign released a one minute radio advertisement featuring actor/director and children's advocate Rob Reiner today. The ad urges Californians t...
May 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R– Murrieta) issued a joint statement with Senator Bob Dutton (R- Rancho Cucamonga) about Controller John Chiang´s April cash figures. Chiang reports that revenues are nearly 2 billion below projections. Sales taxes were down nearly...
May 13, 2009
(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Assembly has approved legislation by Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) that would prevent health plans and insurers from canceling a health insurance policy 18 months after the policy was issued. Assembly Bill 108 (Hayashi) passed on a 48-28 vote.
"I...
May 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), with Senators Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield), Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) and Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills) released a statement concerning a number of job creation bills up for a vote in the...
May 12, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) blasted the University of California (UC) Board of Regents for approving two excessive, six-figure salaries for incoming chancellors at UC San Francisco and UC Davis.
The Regents approved a $450,000 salary for incoming UCSF Chancellor S...
May 12, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO— Surrounded by firefighters and community members, two of San Francisco´s leading Chinese American officials called for protecting neighborhood firehouses in the face of proposed "brownouts." A vote on whether to move forward on "brownouts" is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12...
Five Calif. Budget Measures Losing: Interest in May Election Ballot Increases and So Does Opposition
May 09, 2009
Pessimism About State Contrasts Sharply With New Optimism About Nation.
SAN FRANCISCO — Five of the six propositions on the May special election ballot are trailing among likely voters, according to a statewide survey released yesterday by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) ...
May 08, 2009
The West Hollywood City Council has unanimously voted to appoint Lindsey Horvath as the new City Councilmember to fill the vacancy left by the late Councilmember Sal Guarriello who passed away in April. Horvath will be sworn in as a member of the West Hollywood City Council at a special meeting on W...
May 07, 2009
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Newsom announced that he has authorized $42 million to keep critical infrastructure improvements, including road resurfacing, sidewalk repair, curb ramp installation, and street structure improvements on track.
"Sustained infrastructure investment is more critical than e...
May 07, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Board of Supervisors overwhelmingly passed legislation this week, proposed by Mayor Newsom and co-sponsored by Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, which prohibits loitering outside San Francisco´s nightclubs. The legislation is aimed at curbing nightclub-related v...
May 07, 2009
The California State Senate Education Committee yesterday passed SB 572 on a 7 to 2 vote. Voting to establish Harvey Milk "gay day" in public schools was Republican Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria and all six Democrats on the committee: Gloria Romero of East Los Angeles, Elaine Alquist of San Jose, Lo...
May 07, 2009
Sacramento, CA— A bill to increase transparency in education policy-making authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, passed off the California Senate floor unanimously today, 35-0, and will now go on to the Assembly.
"Greater public access to state boar...
May 06, 2009
Green Party turns thumbs-down to propositions on May 19 ballot, charge plan is ´rotten deal' that only gives voters ´choice' of being shot in arm or leg.
SACRAMENTO – The Green Party of California yesterday – after polling its members and county councils statewide for the past month...
May 06, 2009
Sacramento, CA— Senator Gloria Romero (D-East Los Angeles), Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, says that a new report released this week highlights the urgency of addressing California´s dropout crisis.
"California once led the nation in high school graduates. Now we lead th...
May 06, 2009
Legislation responds to recent state Supreme Court decision.
May 06, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved legislation that would prevent landlords from unfairly evicting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Senate Bill 782, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), is modeled after a San Francisco ordinance auth...
May 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Winners in State Senator Simitian´s 2009 "There Oughta Be A Law" contest traveled to Sacramento this week to testify in the State Senate – with good results. Advocates for all three bills persuaded Senate Committee members that each of their bills should become state law. Each of ...
May 02, 2009
Chair of Senate Education Committee calls for core curriculum and proposes bill amending test date.
Sacramento, CA — Test results released Thursday by the California Department of Education (CDE) show that English learners have made negligible progress in mastering the language since last...
May 02, 2009
UNAC/UHCP political director makes a case for AB 664 to create new presumptions in workers compensation for dangerous working conditions of direct health care providers.
Sacramento, CA – Jimmy Gomez, Political Director for the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Pro...
April 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On a 7-2 bipartisan vote, the Senate Committee on Education today approved legislation to further reign in exorbitant executive compensation at the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU). SB 217, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo...
April 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO: The Senate Business & Professions Committee this week approved legislation authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) that is designed to improve patient safety in California by reforming Medical Peer Review -- the process by which a committee of physicians examines the work of a ...
April 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Committee on Governmental Organization today unanimously approved legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) to provide independent oversight of all pari-mutuel horse race wagering in California. Specifically, SB 662 will require the California Ho...
April 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Today, the Assembly Public Safety Committee passed AB 1392 by Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Garden Grove), a measure to address the growing scourge of graffiti in many of our communities. Beyond the physical and economic damages, graffiti has been recognized by the law enforcement community a...
April 29, 2009
With 11 confirmed cases of the swine flu illness in California, state health authorities have taken several preventive steps to mitigate the impacts and slow the spread of the virus. As of today, there have been five confirmed cases in San Diego County, five in Imperial County, and one in Sacramento...
April 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Public Safety Committee today unanimously approved legislation to assist victims of human trafficking and support law enforcement by allowing courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, of a person convicted of human trafficking and used in the commission of th...
April 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Democrats on the Senate Human Services Committee this afternoon rejected legislation by Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) to mandate random drug tests for welfare recipients. RJ´s Law (Senate Bill 384) was defeated on a party-line vote of 2-2. The originator of the propos...
April 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO— Senate Natural Resources Committee voted today to approve legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to protect the beauty and integrity of California´s state parks by preventing their conversion for private or corporate use.
"Increasing development throughout the state...
April 27, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate approved today SB 20, legislation by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which aims to strengthen existing privacy protection laws for California consumers. The new law builds on legislation authored by Simitian in 2002 that requires a business or gover...
April 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO - An environmental policy-setting panel today approved Sen. Jenny Oropeza´s plan to reduce the release into the air of a widely used ´greenhouse´ gas previously thought harmless.
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee´s approval of Senate Bill 104 came the w...
Bill to Help Californians Pay for Home Solar Systems and Energy Efficiency Initiatives Passes Senate
April 28, 2009
Sacramento, CA – A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) allowing cities and counties to help property owners pay for solar energy systems and energy efficiency improvements passed the Senate today. The vote on SB 279 was 26-13.
"My bill will remove the primary financial hurdle that deters...
April 28, 2009
California Democrat lawmakers today killed two bills to abolish the Integrated Waste Management Board (IWMB).
Senator Jeff Denham´s (R-Merced) SB 44 was voted down in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on a party-line vote of 1 - 4, with the Republican voting "yes" and Democrats vo...
April 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Tomorrow afternoon, Assemblyman Van Tran´s (R-Garden Grove) much needed reform, AB 631, will be heard by the Assembly Committee on Human Services. AB 631 will provide accountability for the welfare (CalWORKs) system in California. Unfortunately, some people try to game the syste...
April 27, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, released the following statement today on behalf of the Brady organization and its California Brady Chapters:
"Carmen Trutanich, a candidate for Los Angeles City Attorney, is a senior partner of the eighteen-me...
April 24, 2009
Law Would Protect Vulnerable Workers and Hold Violators Accountable in Underground Carwash Industry.
Sacramento — The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment has passed AB 236—to renew the state´s "Carwash Worker Law"—after hearing from a Los Angeles carwash worker w...
April 24, 2009
San Francisco, CA — Because federal immigration law does not currently allow LGBT Americans to sponsor their partners, it took an emergency bill introduced on the Senate floor yesterday by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to keep one same-sex binational couple and their family together in the Uni...
April 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate´s Health Committee passed legislation that provides public health agencies and emergency responders timely access to complete ingredient lists of aerial pesticides. Senate Bill 759, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), requires the disclosure of inert or ina...
April 23, 2009
Sacramento, CA—Today, Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, succeeded in passing SB 331, legislation that would require increased accountability, data collection and participation of migrant students, through the Senate Committee on Education with a 7-1 vote.
"...
April 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – AB 1000 Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2009 authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) passed out of Assembly Labor and Employment Committee with a vote of 2-4. AB 1000 will allow workers to earn and use paid sick days for personal illness, to care for a sick fami...
April 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) will take part in a high profile California Legislative hearing this Friday, April 24th in Reno, Nevada to determine how California can prevent more businesses from leaving the state. Aanestad, a former small business owner who came to the State ...
April 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – A key Senate fiscal panel late Wednesday approved a plan to help parents save for their child´s college education by allowing them to direct deposit tax refunds into qualified tuition-program accounts.
"With the increasing cost of higher education, it is more important than e...
"Leash Your Lid" law to attach plastic bottle caps to the bottle passes from environmental committee
April 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 925, legislation that would prohibit the sale of single-use plastic beverage containers unless the cap is affixed to the bottle, has passed from the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
The bill´s author, Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego), said plas...
April 24, 2009
Washington, D.C. – In an effort to improve the long-term health and well-being of childhood cancer survivors, Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45) and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-12) today introduced the Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life Act. This bipartisa...
April 24, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA –Mayor Newsom today announced that San Francisco´s enterprise departments plan for over $1 billion for infrastructure projects that are already underway or will begin in the coming year, which will create or preserve thousands of jobs. These investments will be in addition to...
April 23, 2009
City Attorney Candidates Carmen Trutanich and Jack Weiss Face Off in LIVE Televised Debate Hosted by the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters.
Los Angeles – Carmen Trutanich and Jack Weiss faced off tonight in a live, televised debate in their battle to become the next City Attorney for th...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Beating back the banking industry´s furious attack, California Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara), Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee, announced today that his Assembly Bill 1075, the Corporate Responsibility Act of 2009, passed its first test and is now ...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO- Today, the Assembly Business and Professions Committee began the process of instituting important protections for taxpayers by passing AB 480 by Assemblyman Van Tran (R- Garden Grove).
AB 480 requires that all state bond measures, passed by the voters, have auditing provisions to ens...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the Assembly Public Safety Committee approved legislation which would require all California law enforcement agencies to test every rape kit in their possession. Assembly Bill (AB) 1017, authored by Assemblymembers Anthony J. Portantino and Julia Brownley, cleared the committ...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation that helps reduce the number of seniors unfairly evicted from residential care facilities passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Senate Bill 781, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), requires residential care facilities for the elderly to provide eviction n...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today passed a measure by Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) that will protect California borrowers who are struggling in today´s troubled housing market.
The bill, SB 94, authored by Sen. Calderon, will prevent a person or a business from chargi...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced that his measures to clean-up the mortgage and banking industry and provide more protections for California consumers passed the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee yesterday.
The following Nava measures were approved yesterday b...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Public Safety Committee today considered legislation by Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) aimed at pressuring the federal government to pay its full share of the cost of incarcerating illegal immigrant inmates in State prisons. Receiving a 3-3 vote, Senate Bill 125 fe...
April 22, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assembly Democrats today blocked an effort by Assemblyman Chuck DeVore to expand California´s energy supply with modern nuclear power. AB 1035 was defeated in the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on a party-line vote. It would have created a one-time exemption from state...
April 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, SB 680, which would continue to allow parents to send their children to whatever public school they choose, earned bipartisan, unanimous support on the Senate Floor. The bill is co-authored by Democratic Senator Romero (D-East Los Angeles) and Republican Senator Huff (R-...
April 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) has introduced a bill that would require the State of California to pay interest on their State personal income tax (PIT) refunds beginning 15 days after the return is filed.
Saldaña said this bill is about fairness.
"Over 2 million Ca...
April 20, 2009
Coalition Will Fight Flawed Measure That Was Written by the Governor and the Legislature. Prop 1A Will Do Nothing to Stop the Budget Chaos in Sacramento.
SACRAMENTO – A coalition of teachers, nurses, health care providers, seniors and public employees filed paperwork with the Secretary of Sta...
April 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – It has been several years since the people´s elected representatives have been able to make changes to California´s school curriculum and textbooks.
Over the past decade, over a dozen bills were introduced in the State Legislature attempting to make curriculum changes,...
BILL TO HELP CALIFORNIANS PAY FOR HOME SOLAR & ENERGY EFFICIENCY INITIATIVES PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE
April 17, 2009
Sacramento, CA – A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) allowing cities and counties to help finance solar energy systems and energy efficiency improvements on individual properties passed the Senate Local Government Committee.
The bill gives cities and counties the ability to establish a lo...
April 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno´s Universal Health Care Act passed the Senate Health Committee with a 7-4 vote. Senate Bill 810 guarantees comprehensive health care benefits to every California resident and is proven to contain health care spending and improve quality and delivery at the same t...
April 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today approved legislation that would prohibit businesses from denying service to a patron because of the language he or she speaks. Specifically, the bill adds "language" to the list of protections in the state´s civil rights act, which prohibits discrimina...
April 16, 2009
Washington, D.C. - The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and its California Brady Chapters has asked L.A. City Attorney candidate Carmen Trutanich to disclose his full client list to shed light on the potential conflicts of interest that he would face if elected City Attorney.
"The law ...
April 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) continued his efforts to decrease the number of youth offenders sentenced to life without the possibility parole, which is currently the maximum sentence allowed by law. Last session, Yee introduced SB 999 in an attempt to abolish the sent...
April 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Following a press conference to bring attention to the growing problem of cell phone use by inmates, the Senate Public Safety Committee, in a 6-0 vote, approved legislation by Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) that would create criminal penalties for anyone caught possessing or s...
April 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — A measure to enact a 25 cent fee on single-use carryout bags passed the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
AB 87 would require a store that collects the single-use carryout bag fees to remit the fees to the State Board of Equalization for deposit into a Bag Polluti...
April 15, 2009
Sacramento - Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) announced yesterday that his legislation to provide easy online access to comprehensive government expenditure information passed out of the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization.
Senate Bill 719 requires each state department and agency to...
April 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) that would improve access to food stamps cleared its first hurdle, passing the Senate Health and Human Services Committee with a 3-1 vote. Senate Bill 718 would end California´s requirement that food stamp applicants be f...
April 14, 2009
SACRAMENTO—Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of Senate Education, again highlighted the need for reform in California´s education system based on a report released yesterday by the California Dropout Research Project stating one in three high-school students will drop out of school before gra...
April 14, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara)announced that two of his measures to clean up the banking & mortgage industry passed their first legislative hurdle, the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee.
"I am very pleased to see these essential reforms moving through the Legislature,...
April 09, 2009
Los Angeles police and firefighters are the latest public safety groups to endorse Paul Koretz in his runoff for Fifth District seat on the Los Angeles City Council.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, and the Los Angeles School Police Association ha...
April 08, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Garamendi has announced Brian Young as his Chief Technology Officer, who will oversee all internet services and strategy for the Garamendi for Governor 2010 Campaign. Young was the Democratic National Committee's former information services direct...
April 08, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, California´s first elected insurance commissioner and a long-time advocate for single-payer health care, spoke at a rally this week to express his strong support for a universal health insurance – HR 676- by Democratic Michigan Congressman John ...
April 07, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today announced legislation to prevent landlords from unfairly evicting domestic violence victims. Senate Bill 782 is modeled after a San Francisco ordinance authored by Supervisor Carmen Chu and sponsored by District Attorney Kamala Ha...
April 03, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced today that over $34 Million in emergency education funding has been released for schools in the Ninth Congressional District of California to help save education-related jobs and maintain programs for low-income students and students with...
April 03, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Newsom and Superintendent Carlos Garcia officially rescinded the majority of teacher layoffs set to take place this month by allocating over $23 million from the city´s Rainy Day Fund.
"Our commitment to education, demonstrated by the release of these rainy d...
April 02, 2009
Sacramento, CA – The League of Women Voters of California has announced its opposition to Propositions 1A, 1C, 1D and 1E on the May 19 Special Election ballot and urged voters to reject them.
"We oppose these measures because they are NOT the solution to our long term financial crisis, with the...
April 01, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- The Senate Education Committee today passed a measure authored by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) that creates an innovative green workforce development partnership between emerging green tech businesses and public schools.
SB 675, the Clean Technology an...
March 31, 2009
SACRAMENTO – While speaking one´s native language is protected in cases of employment and housing under state law, such protections are not extended to consumers under the state´s civil rights act.
The Unruh Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination within business establishments, us...
March 31, 2009
Sacramento–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced today that his legislative initiatives to protect our communities from sexually violent predators passed their committees on bipartisan unanimous votes.
Assembly Bill 61, Sex Crime Loophole Closure Act, passed the Assembly Public Safety Commit...
March 31, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 14, which requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean renewable energy sources by 2020 has been approved by the Senate 21-16. The bill, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) now heads to the Assembly.
"California can and sh...
March 31, 2009
(Sacramento) – On the heels of the revelation that salmonella contamination occurred at a California-based pistachio processing plant and subsequent recall of over 1 million pounds of pistachios in 31 states, today Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Ang...
March 30, 2009
Democratic Party exposes City Council candidate Robert Garcia´s long ties to the Republican Party.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) learned that despite his recent registration as a Democrat, candidate Robert Garcia has long ties to the Republican Party, as he...
March 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) condemned several recent decisions regarding executive compensation by the University of California (UC) Board of Regents.
Despite the state´s struggling finances and increased student fees, last week the UC handed out over $350...
March 28, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Calling it "great news" for the region, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) praised House passage of the public lands package that included Bono Mack´s widely supported bill to preserve certain desert and forest landscapes and rivers in Riverside County, in addition to Bono M...
March 28, 2009
In response to the tragic killing of four Oakland police officers last weekend, Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) and Assemblymember Sandré Swanson (D-Oakland) today announced legislation to restrict and control the possession and distribution of large capacity ammunition magazines. The widespread a...
March 28, 2009
Sacramento, CA – State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D - San Diego) announced that she, several Assembly and Senate colleagues and the Governor reached an agreement to change State law to allow California to collect $844 million in Federal Unemployment Insurance stimulus funds. Ducheny coauthored ...
March 28, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – With California´s unemployment rate rising, the Senate passed two urgency bipartisan bills that will provide additional federally funded unemployment insurance benefits to jobless Californians.
AB 23 X3, authored by Assemblyman Joe Coto (D-San Diego), will extend to out-of-...
March 27, 2009
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City have endorsed Paul Koretz in the Los Angeles City Council District 5 election on May 19th.
Pat McOsker, the organization's President, said, "Paul Koretz is an experienced fighter for public safety. Whether it's his work to achieve landmark gun safety laws ...
March 24, 2009
Sacramento - In a bipartisan vote of 75-0, the State Assembly passed AB 23 X3, authored by Assemblymember Joe Coto (D-San Jose), which adopts the necessary changes to California law to qualify the state for up to $3 billion in federal economic stimulus funding.
The bill authorizes 20 weeks of a...
March 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – A key Senate environmental policy-setting committee approved a plan to protect the marine environment and reduce fire danger statewide under a smoking ban by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach.
"We´re hoping not one citation has to be issued," Oropeza said about Senate ...
March 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) said today the Legislature will investigate the foreclosure scams that have arisen as a result of the mortgage meltdown and examine the need for legislation to protect consumers from those scams.
As the number of struggling homeowners increases in ...
March 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the Assembly Health Committee approved legislation which would fund California´s pioneering Umbilical Cord Blood Program. Assembly Bill (AB) 52, authored by Assemblymember Anthony J. Portantino, cleared the committee by a vote of 14-2.
"The California Umbilical Cord...
March 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – All six of the budget-related propositions placed on the May special election ballot by the State Legislature should go down to defeat, the Peace and Freedom Party announced today.
"We studied each proposition and decided on them individually, and each merited opposition. We conside...
March 19, 2009
SACRAMENTO – After reviewing 331 proposals from residents around the state, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today the three winners of this year´s "There Oughta Be A Law" contest. Simitian´s annual contest invites Californians to submit suggestions for new legislation....
March 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Saying that AIG misused taxpayer dollars and now must be forced to give them back, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack today voted in favor of legislation aimed at recovering outrageous bonuses recently paid to top AIG executives. Bono Mack issued the following statement:
"AIG took...
March 19, 2009
(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced a resolution calling for long-term care to be made a part of our nation´s comprehensive health care reform agenda. (Please find attached a copy of the resolution)
"We are tasked with solving one of the most ser...
March 18, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the California Assembly Banking & Finance Committee, announced the introduction of the Corporate Responsibility Act of 2009. AB 1075 will prohibit California regulated banks and financial institutions that receive TARP money from spending it on objec...
March 18, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SEICUS), NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Advocates for Youth and other leading health care grou...
March 12, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Newsom announced Wednesday that the City has exceeded his 2004 pledge to plant 25,000 trees in San Francisco. At a ceremonial tree planting this morning at South Van Ness and Howard streets, the Mayor announced that 26,408 trees have been added to San Francisco since 2005 a...
March 12, 2009
Lieu´s California Foreclosure Prevention Act also a model for other states.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance) pushed federal officials today to expand key elements of the federal mortgage rescue plan.
"People should be able to refinance their home based up...
March 12, 2009
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto as the 11th State Senate District´s Woman of the Year.
Nakano-Matsumoto is the Executive Director of West Valley Community Services (formerly Cupertino Community Services). Un...
March 12, 2009
Sacramento – Today Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer), which encourages individuals to assist others responsibly in emergency situations, passed the Assembly Floor with unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats on a vote of 74-0. AB 83 encourages individuals to assist others responsibly in emergency ...
March 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO - At the direction of Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, chaired by Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward), heard from Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor and Deputy State Architect Roy McBrayer today on the most effective ways Califo...
March 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) has formally introduced legislation that will increase access to affordable, quality healthcare without restricting a patient´s right to make medical decisions without interference. It promotes patient safety and lets doctors and nurses do wha...
March 10, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that layoffs and program cuts to public schools will be prevented by providing up to $23 million from the city's rainy day fund. Newsom´s action will save over 250 teachers´ jobs.
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) ...
March 08, 2009
Calls Higher Ed A Solid Down Payment On California´s Future.
SACRAMENTO – With California spending almost as much incarcerating inmates in prisons as it does educating students in higher education, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico introduced legislation today to expand funding for...
Schwarzenegger Goes Jindal while Assemblymembers Niello and Garrick Also Vote "NO" to Aid Unemployed
March 06, 2009
California Republicans were back in their "just say no" mode yesterday when they voted to jeopardize billions in federal economic stimulus funds designed to help the state's rising number of unemployed workers.
At a hearing of the Assembly Insurance Committee Thursday, Republican Governor Ar...
March 06, 2009
Bills Call for Statewide Phasing Out of Styrofoam, Plastic Bags, and Removable Bottle Caps.
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, chairman of the State Lands Commission and member of the Ocean Protection Council, today joined Assembly Coastal Caucus members Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbar...
March 05, 2009
(Sacramento) – Yesterday Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) announced AB 590, a landmark measure that would make California the first state in the nation to establish a model program providing a right to counsel for low-income people in critical civil cases.
"In this economic downturn,...
March 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nava, member of the Ocean Protection Council and members of the Assembly Coastal Caucus announced at a Capitol press conference yesterday the introduction of legislation to clean-up our oceans.
Marine debris is a growing worldwide problem. Approximately 80% of the deb...
March 05, 2009
Sacramento - AB 23 of the 3rd Extraordinary Session, authored by Assemblymember Joe Coto (D-San Jose), adopts necessary changes to California law to qualify the state for two major pieces of federal economic stimulus funding.
The bill authorizes 20 weeks of additional federal Unemployment Insura...
March 05, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) - Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), along with members of the Senate Democratic caucus, unveiled a package of bills that take the first steps towards linking our education system to high wage jobs in emerging economies.
"Ensuring that every California studen...
March 05, 2009
Sacramento, CA —Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced today the introduction of AB 721 to improve access to healthcare services. AB 721 will allow physical therapists to act within their scope of practice and initiate immediate treatment to patients seeking relief from pain and injury without t...
March 04, 2009
(Sacramento) – Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer), which encourages individuals to assist others responsibly in emergency situations, unanimously passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee yesterday with strong support from Republicans and Democrats. AB 83 encourages individuals to assist others responsibly in...
March 04, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Building on her ongoing efforts to raise awareness for the dangers of substance abuse and addiction, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today joined Congressman Fred Upton (MI-06) in introducing bipartisan legislation to better control the highly addictive and potentially danger...
March 04, 2009
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Newsom announced the release of the City and County of San Francisco´s Proposed Capital Plan for Fiscal Year 2010-2019 to spur local job growth by recommending $17.5 billion in capital investments. Together with $10.5 billion in investments of other local agencies, Sa...
March 02, 2009
Sacramento, CA – Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, introduced a measure to end the moratorium on new nuclear power in California in an effort to expand the state´s low greenhouse gas emission energy supply. Assembly Bill 1025 is the fourth nuclear power bill authored by the Assemblyman in th...
March 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) introduced legislation to assist victims of human trafficking and support law enforcement by allowing courts to seize any personal property, such as house or automobile, of a person convicted of human trafficking.
"SB 557 will bring muc...
March 02, 2009
Sacramento –Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) introduced a package of six measures aimed at expanding education, training and jobs for California´s returning veterans, and increasing business opportunities for disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBEs).
"I´m on a mission to help con...
March 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – State Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico has introduced legislation to allow local fire agency governing bodies to designate safe surrender sites and require the state Department of Social Services to seek additional funds to promote the program throughout the state.
AB 1048 a...
March 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Last week, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) introduced legislation to help protect children involved in youth organizations from sexual predators and other violent criminals. Senate Bill 447 would reform the criminal background check policy at the approximately 36,000 you...
March 02, 2009
Legislation Addresses Effects of Third Consecutive Drought Year.
Sacramento – After Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency because of California´s third consecutive drought year, Assemblymember Mike Feuer has introduced the following statement:
"During what may beco...
March 02, 2009
LOS ANGELES, Calif. ─ Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is showing great leadership in calling for more comprehensive laws to prevent irresponsible dog breeding in Los Angeles County, according to one of the nation´s leading animal welfare organizations.
"We applaud Supervisor Antonovich for...
February 28, 2009
Law enforcement and business groups, environmental and labor organizations, human rights and medical associations have joined hundreds of community leaders and elected officials in endorsing Paul Koretz for the Los Angeles City Council.
As the campaign for the fifth district seat enters the fina...
February 26, 2009
AB 8xx, a bill introduced by Assemblyman Brian Nestande, was approved by the Legislature as part of the budget package passed on February 18th. The bill included four measures to help stimulate the economy and to bring new revenue to the state without raising taxes.
"While I voted against the bu...
February 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today continued his efforts to decrease the number of youth offenders sentenced to life without the possibility parole, which is currently the maximum sentence allowed by law. Last session, Yee introduced SB 999 in an attempt to abolish th...
February 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO - With California spending almost as much incarcerating inmates in prisons as it does educating students in higher education, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico introduced legislation today to expand funding for community colleges, the California State University and University of C...
February 26, 2009
Structural Reforms Highlighted
SACRAMENTO – Before a standing room only audience during Tuesday's California Constitutional Convention Summit, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi called for bold reforms that will help end California´s continual budget stalemates.
"We have tied ourselves in ...
February 26, 2009
Jimmy Gomez, previously with AFSCME in Washington D.C., will start at UNAC/UHCP March 2 to represent the voice of nurses in politics.
California – Jimmy Gomez is set to become the Political Director for the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Healthcare Professionals on March 2. ...
February 26, 2009
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) today introduced the Open Enrollment Act, which will allow students across California to attend any K-12 public school in the state.
Current law requires students to attend the public school they are assigned according to their home zip cod...
February 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – With California spending almost as much incarcerating inmates in prisons as it does educating students in higher education, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico introduced legislation today to expand funding for community colleges, the California State University and University of C...
February 24, 2009
Legislation will bring greater transparency, protect whistleblowers, reign in executive compensation.
February 24, 2009
Legislation Would Safeguard Rights of Nursing Home Patients and Consumers.
February 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Leading a concerted effort to maximize the benefits of federal funding for California and to help put California on track toward economic recovery, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Baldwin Vista) today announced a series of upcoming legislative hearings as part of the Assembly´s agg...
February 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – While speaking one´s native language is protected in cases of employment and housing under state law, such protections are not provided under the state´s civil rights act, which prohibits discrimination within business establishments.
As a result, Senator Leland Yee (D...
February 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today introduced Senate Bill 246, legislation that would create safeguards to protect California taxpayers from fraud in one of the State´s fastest-growing social welfare programs. Benoit´s legislation would require care providers fo...
February 19, 2009
Sacramento, CA – The California Senate confirmed California Business Roundtable Chairman Greg Jones to serve on the State Board of Education. Governor Schwarzenegger originally appointed Jones to the position in February of 2008 where he has served for one year.
Mr. Jones is President and C...
February 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO - The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld a ruling by the U.S. District Court that struck down a California law preventing the sale and rental of ultra-violent video games to children. The law´s author, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), is urging Attorney...
February 18, 2009
Feuer Voices Support for Equal Rights.
Sacramento – The California Assembly Judiciary Committee yesterday approved House Resolution 5 (Ammiano) opposing the implementation of Prop 8. H.R. 5 states that Prop 8 is an improper revision, as opposed to an amendment, of the California Constitution.
...
February 18, 2009
SACRAMENTO — The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) urged all legislators working for California´s economic recovery to join in support of a proposal to bring balance to the state´s class action law and send a message that California is becoming more hospitable to compa...
February 18, 2009
The San Fernando Valley Young Democrats have announced their endorsement of Paul Koretz for the 5th District of the Los Angeles City Council.
"The San Fernando Valley Young Democrats are proud to support Paul Koretz's candidacy for 5th District," said SFVYD President Greg Girvan. "Paul Koretz's ...
February 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Eric Sakach, West Coast Director for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Los Angeles District Attorney´s Office, Social Compassion in Legislation participated in a Capi...
February 14, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) joined Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) in introducing bipartisan legislation to halt gang violence. The Gang Prevention, Intervention and Suppression Act would provide new resources for community-based gang prevention and intervention...
February 12, 2009
MONTEREY – Joined by local elected leaders and environmentalists, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi reasserted his support on Monday for a statewide ban on takeout Styrofoam packaging and congratulated three Central Coast communities for their commitment to abolishing the usage of polystyrene foam ...
February 10, 2009
MONTEREY – Joined by local elected leaders and environmentalists, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi reasserted his support for a statewide ban on takeout Styrofoam packaging and congratulated three Central Coast communities for their commitment to abolishing the usage of polystyrene foam plastic fo...
February 10, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that as of February 10, 2009, residents with annual incomes at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (for one person $52,000; for a family of four $106,000) will be eligible to enroll into San Francisco´s first-of-its-kind universal h...
February 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO –As funding for state services dries up due to the ongoing budget crisis, Assembly Rules Committee Chair Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today was joined by Assemblymembers Juan Arambula (D-Fresno), Joe Coto (D-San Jose), Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Assemblymember Manny Perez (D-Coa...
February 06, 2009
Largest loan program of its kind in the United States would provide low-interest loans to residents and businesses for solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced an important step in the advancement of the country´s largest local property ta...
February 06, 2009
Lt. Governor Garamendi Joins Controller Chiang to Thwart Drilling Deal by 2 to 1 Vote.
SANTA BARBARA – On a two-to-one vote, the California State Lands Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, last week denied the first new oil lease in state waters in almost 40 years.
...
February 06, 2009
San Jose, Stockton Town Halls Up Next for Exploratory Committee. More Than 1,500 Voters Have Attended Previous Events in 4 Counties. New Technologies Tap Into Voters' Desire for New Direction in California.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom´s exploratory campaign for Governor...
February 06, 2009
City Council decides it may consider ´charter commission´; Could lead to measure that would compete against Mayor´s ´strong-mayor´ initiative in 2010.
SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento City Council agreed Tuesday night to move toward the formation of a "charter reform co...
February 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) has introduced Senate Bill 125, a stimulus measure aimed at pressuring the federal government to reimburse California for the full cost of incarcerating illegal immigrants.
"If the federal government truly wants to stimulate California´...
February 05, 2009
San Francisco – Flanked by hundreds of cadets and elected officials today at Lowell
High School, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma introduced legislation, Assembly Bill 223, in
support of Junior Reserve Officers´ Training Corps (JROTC). AB 223 requires that
San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD...
February 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO—With California facing a record 9.3% unemployment rate, Democratic Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) urged colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come to a swift agreement and resolve the budget impasse. The December 2008 version of the budget failed passage because it ...
February 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Children who ride school buses would have cleaner lungs under a Sen. Jenny Oropeza bill introduced today to limit engine idling by school and transit buses to five minutes.
"Children are the most susceptible to the health effects of air pollution because their immune systems and deve...
February 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On Monday, Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), and a majority of California Assembly members, voted for the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Assembly Joint Resolution 4, authored by Assembly Speaker Bass and co-authored by Mr. Solorio, urges the United St...
February 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) joined a majority of her House colleagues in supporting of the final version of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to 11 million children in modest-income families. The State Children´s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reau...
February 03, 2009
Sacramento – Assemblyman Curt Hagman today announced that he is introducing legislation to put to a halt to the construction of the new $185 million new headquarters for the California Lottery Commission in Sacramento.
"During this budget crisis, the last thing we should be doing is wasting mon...
February 03, 2009
(Sacramento) – Today Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita) introduced Assembly Bill 215, bipartisan legislation to require long-term health care facilities to post the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) star rating in a visible, publ...
February 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) has reintroduced legislation to reform California´s Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP), which provides quality, affordable health coverage for thousands of Californians who are currently uninsurable. MRMIP offers access to health insu...
February 03, 2009
Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) today issued the following statement related to the State Controller, John Chiang, ordering $2 million of new office furniture in the middle of a budget crisis:
"The same day the governor vetoed the Democrats´ budget proposal, the Controller´s of...
February 03, 2009
Sacramento–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announces the introduction of legislation to protect victims and our communities from sexually violent predators.
"We need to make sure that the worst of the worst offenders do not inflict more harm on our neighborhoods," said Nava. "This measure provide...
February 01, 2009
SACRAMENTO–Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) announced that applications are available for the prestigious California Senate Fellows program, which provides 18 college graduates an opportunity to be full-time Senate staff members at the state Capitol for 11 months.
"The Senate Fellows program offers...
February 01, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Those who receive treatment for kidney ailments would benefit most under a bill introduced today by state Sen. Jenny Oropeza to bring California into compliance with new federal regulations.
Senate Bill 112 would continue Medicare funding by ensuring the state´s 5,000 hemodial...
February 01, 2009
SANTA BARBARA – On a two-to-one vote, the California State Lands Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, denied the first new oil lease in state waters in almost 40 years.
Garamendi, former Deputy Interior Secretary under President Bill Clinton, argued strongly that the plan ...
January 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Joined by victims and consumer advocates, Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) announced on Tuesday a bill to protect Californians from unscrupulous car dealers.
Senate Bill 95, the Car Buyers Protection Act, contains several provisions to give customers more safeguards when they pur...
January 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO—State Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, today introduced legislation to reduce industry use of a widely used gas previously thought harmless.
Senate Bill 104 would allow the California Air Resources Board to regulate nitrogen trifluoride, or NF3, and possibly other gases found to...
January 28, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today voted in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a bill that seeks to restore the law as it was prior to the Supreme Court Ledbetter decision that narrowly decided to dismiss longstanding employment nondiscrimination law making it mu...
January 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – In an ongoing effort to fight identity theft, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) this week announced that he is: 1) Introducing legislation to increase the penalties on repeat identity theft offenders, and 2) Hosting another scam stopper meeting for constituents at Country Vi...
January 24, 2009
MORENO VALLEY – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced the availability of applications for 2009-2010 Capital Fellowship Programs. College graduates interested in the opportunity to work as a full-time staff member in a legislative, executive, or judicial branch office are encouraged to...
January 24, 2009
Sacramento–California State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced the introduction of the Sex Crime Loophole Closure Act, a measure to protect our communities from sexually violent predators.
"We need to make sure that the worst of the worst offenders do not inflict more harm on our neighborhoods,"...
January 24, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and David Vitter (R-LA) joined with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) to introduce legislation that would require the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a National Childhood Brain Tumor Preventio...
January 24, 2009
LOS ANGELES — Lt. Gov. John Garamendi said yesterday that he opposes allowing a company to expand oil drilling off the coast of Santa Barbara because it could signal that California wants to renew offshore drilling.
Garamendi chairs the three-member State Lands Commission, which is set to c...
January 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – This morning Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) was proud to introduce AB 141 to help alleviate the current economic and job crises facing our state. AB 141 would offer employees the ability to request a flexible work schedule to work up to 10 hours per day within a 40-hour work week....
January 21, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack today applauded legislation that would encourage state and local governments to help residents purchase solar technology for their homes and small businesses (H.R. 546). Bono Mack has worked extensively with local representatives to find a way to help h...
January 15, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) - Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) announced a $2.3 billion "green" economic stimulus package that will create jobs while protecting and enhancing California´s environment.
"There is no conflict between a...
January 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack today praised U.S. Senate passage of a package of public lands bills (S. 22), which includes Bono Mack´s widely supported wilderness provision that would preserve certain desert and forest landscapes and rivers in Riverside County, in addition to...
January 15, 2009
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward), in response to the ´right of conscience´ regulation just issued by the Bush Administration, introduced Assembly Bill 120 today to ensure women in California have all the information they need to make informed reproductive choices...
January 15, 2009
Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) today introduced two constitutional amendments related to legislators´ pay and per diem.
The first bill, SCA 7, which the governor alluded to in his annual State of the State address earlier in the day, would prohibit legislators from receiving their ...
January 13, 2009
Paul Koretz, candidate for the LA City Council, 5th District, has won the highly coveted endorsement of the Sierra Club. The Club is America's oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Inspired by nature, the 1.3 million members work together to protect communities...
January 13, 2009
TWO-THIRDS OF DONORS ONLINE; TWO-THIRDS OF CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER $500.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom´s exploratory campaign for governor today announced it has raised nearly $1.2 million since it launched on July 1, 2008. The campaign today filed its report electronically ...
January 13, 2009
(Sacramento)- Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) threw down the gauntlet in defense of California voters. "The time has come for the California Legislature to put an end to back room deals being passed in the dead of night," declared Assemblyman Jeffries who today introduced ACA 8, which w...
January 13, 2009
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) introduced legislation to prevent health plans and insurers from canceling a health insurance policy 18 months after the policy was issued. The bill also requires health plans and insurers to use a standard, uniform application for health co...
January 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – With a focus on legislation that will stimulate California´s economy, Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) introduced SB 49 today, which will establish a homebuyer tax credit for single family homes.
Under the legislation being proposed by Senator Dutton, homebuyers who pur...
January 13, 2009
(Los Angeles) – Today Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 109, legislation to place a moratorium on the construction of, or conversion to, new digital advertising displays until 2012. The moratorium would give policymakers time to adequately review the results of pend...
January 13, 2009
Construction and Conversions to Halt for Results of Safety Studies.
Los Angeles – Today Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 109, legislation to place a moratorium on the construction of, or conversion to, new digital advertising displays until 2012. The moratoriu...
January 12, 2009
Assemblyman Curren D. Price congratulates the Nine South Bay schools that have been selected for this year's Title I Academic Achievement Awards, education officials announced mid December 2008.
Six of the nine schools are in the 51st AD, which Mr. Price represents. They are Lennox Math, Science &...
January 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Over the past two years, 1.76 million Californians who already had healthcare benefits received surprise medical bills following hospital visits, according to a recent APCO Insight Survey. The practice known as balance billing resulted in individual medical bills from $100 and under to...
January 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – In the wake of another series of spills in Santa Barbara County from California´s worst oil polluter, and more than one year to the day that Assemblymember Pedro Nava held an informational hearing regarding Greka Energy, he announced today that his legislation to protect the envir...
January 09, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) issued the following joint statement in response to the New Year´s Day shooting involving a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer:
"BART currently lacks adequate public oversight and ...
January 09, 2009
Washington, dc – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) today joined Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in introducing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which will help improve the lives of and hasten better treatments and cures f...
January 08, 2009
Feinstein measure would require increased reimbursements by the Justice Department.
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation to ensure that that states and localities are eligible for reimbursement of the costs associated with incarcerating undocum...
January 08, 2009
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California endorsed John Burton today for California Democratic Party State Chair.
Kathy Kneer, President and CEO said, "Planned Parenthood wholeheartedly supports John Burton for chair of the California Democratic Party - the first time our organization has made...
January 08, 2009
The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley voted overwhelmingly on Monday night to endorse Paul Koretz (paulkoretz.com) for the LA City Council's 5th District. The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DP/SFV) is the coordinating body for a coalition of 27 Democratic Clubs. The clubs are...
January 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Brian Nestande (R-Palm Desert) today said he is encouraged by Governor Schwarzenegger´s decision to keep his promise in vetoing the Democrats budget. The budget presented by the majority party was not only fiscally irresponsible, but was passed unconstitutionally by ...
January 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today announced that he was recently recognized as an Outstanding Legislator of 2008 by the California State Sheriffs´ Association for demonstrating his commitment to the public safety of all Californians. In addition, Senator Benoit today forma...
January 07, 2009
(Sacramento) – Today, Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 91, which creates a pilot project in four counties that requires the installation of ignition interlock devices (IID) on any vehicle owned or operated by an individual convicted of a driving under the influence ...
January 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is joining a large and concerted effort to block the implementation of $10 billion in new taxes approved by the State Legislature last month without the constitutionally required two-thirds vote. The suit, filed this morning by the Howard Jarvis Taxp...
January 06, 2009
Bill Requires Installation of Ignition Interlock Devices.
Sacramento - Today, Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 91, which creates a pilot project in four counties that requires the installation of ignition interlock devices (I...
January 06, 2009
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has announced the following new laws that go into effect in 2009.
Temporary Operating Permits (AB2241/Saldana). This law restricts DMV from issuing temporary operating permits to allow more time to obtain a smog certificate as part of the registration ...
January 03, 2009
Yee´s Commitment to Equal Rights Earns Top Rating from Civil Rights Group.
SACRAMENTO – In 2008, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) continued his perfect lifetime legislative record on issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, earning a 1...
January 03, 2009
Yee authors laws to help children, bring transparency to government, protect workers and consumers, enhance public safety, safeguard the environment, and improve health access.
SACRAMENTO – Several bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) became law on January 1, 2009. ...
December 14, 2008
City Councilmembers also get early backing from leading environmental organization.
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) announced its endorsement of Antonio Villaraigosa in his bid for a second term as Mayor of Los Angeles. Mitchell Schwartz, LALCV president, ma...
December 10, 2008
Mayor Newsom announced a proposed list of revenue increases and spending reductions totaling $118.29 million. The Mayor´s budget balancing proposal comes in response to recent news that City revenues will be down $90 to $125 million as a result of the ailing economy. San Francisco is required ...
December 10, 2008
Sacramento - State Senator Huff recently represented California at the American Legislative Exchange Council´s (ALEC) Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force´s annual Tax Academy in Washington, D.C., on December 3, 2008.
An elite group of 60 state legislators from across the United States g...
December 10, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – Emphasizing the importance of transparent and accountable distribution of economic rescue funds, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today joined 82 of her colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-08) and Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (MA-04) ...
December 08, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom signed a resolution endorsing a $2 billion dollar financing plan for the combined redevelopment of Candlestick Point and Phase 2 of the Hunters Point Shipyard.
The financing plan will fund the creation of the largest parks project since the constructio...
December 08, 2008
Santa Barbara-Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services & Homeland Security announced today that an oil spill has occurred off the Carpinteria Coast in Santa Barbara County.
"The price of oil has now dropped to a five year low without any additional drilling...
December 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) says he´s ready to work with the Majority Party in the State Legislature to enact a series of measures to formally address a growing, current year, budget deficit of more than $11 billion. Aanestad took part in a special joint session of the St...
December 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif.,/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new study released today concludes that state-of-the-science economic models, including those used for CARB's economic analyses of California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), are not capable of simulating the fundamental changes in California's ...
December 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Denise Ducheny, the chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, in consultation with Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, announced she will constitute Budget subcommittees for the Proposition 58 special session on Monday as well as a tentative budget schedule fo...
December 05, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA – Facing an economic crisis that could leave the state without cash by March 2009, Assemblymember Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) introduced legislation which would provide California immediate savings by prohibiting any pay raises, bonuses, overtime pay, or any other increase in ...
December 04, 2008
AB 20 Would Save the State and UC Money by Streamlining Contracting Process.
December 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA – The State Assembly began its work one hour ahead of schedule yesterday as Assemblymembers, Assemblymembers-Elect, faculty, and students gathered to announce the introduction of a House Resolution that calls for a bold recommitment to public higher education in the United States.
...
December 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Protecting the marine environment and reducing fire danger statewide are the primary goals of the first 2009 bill by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach.
"Caring for our environment is a worthy goal of California´s policymakers," Oropeza said today after Monday´s convening o...
December 02, 2008
(Sacramento) Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 49, which will reduce California´s urban per capita water use by 20 percent by December 31, 2020. The Governor called for such a reduction in a February 2008 directive. This bill is jointly authored by Assemblyme...
December 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Banking & Finance Committee announced the introduction of a legislative package to reform regulatory oversight of the financial services and banking industry and provide increased protections for consumers in California.
"The time for reform is...
December 02, 2008
Sacramento: On the first day of the new legislative session in Sacramento, Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) introduced two bills which will address critical public safety and fire issues facing much of California. These two bills are the first in a series of public safety, water, an...
December 02, 2008
Today Mayor Gavin Newsom unveiled the second webisode of his first-ever, web-only "Interactive State of the City" on his YouTube channel, youtube.com/mayorgavinnewsom.
"Instead of a traditional speech behind a podium, this year I am delivering my State of the City address directly to my constitue...
December 02, 2008
Sacramento – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) today introduced his "State Properties Reform Package." The first three measures of a multi-bill package are designed to shed the state of underutilized property to raise needed revenue and reduce costs to help cut the multi-billion dollar budget deficit:...
December 01, 2008
Sacramento - Today, Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 49, which will reduce California´s urban per capita water use by 20 percent by December 31, 2020. The Governor called for such a reduction in a February 2008 directive. This bill is jointly authored by Ass...
December 01, 2008
San Francisco -- TURN today said Governor Schwarzenegger's stealth reappointment of Commissioners Rachelle Chong and Michael Peevey to the Public Utilities Commission was a step backward for California and a blow to consumers. TURN, California's statewide utility consumer advocacy organization, sai...
November 25, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom joined Alaskan Mayors and Oceana, the largest international non-governmental organization focused on ocean conservation, in petitioning the federal government to establish comprehensive regulations for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Ac...
November 22, 2008
The University of California Board of Regents decided on Thursday to remove student fee and tuition increases from its budget proposal for the 2009-10 school year.
It was a decision that now puts the burden on the state Legislature to either provide funding that would avert the need for such increa...
November 21, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums announced a nine-step policy plan for transforming the Bay Area into the "Electric Vehicle (EV) Capital of the U.S." In conjunction with the news, Better Place, a global electric transportation company, ...
November 19, 2008
Garamendi Supports Committee Motion Curtailing Freshmen Enrollment at UC Campuses Unless State Approves Adequate Funding.
San Francisco – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a University of California Regent, who argued the escalating UC tuition fees are making the public university system...
November 20, 2008
A State Auditor´s review of five large state agencies has discovered improper disposal of hazardous electronic waste contrary to state requirements.
The audit was requested by Assembly Members Fiona Ma (D-San Franciso), Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) and Jared Huffman (D- San Rafael). All three ...
November 18, 2008
LONG BEACH – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a California State University trustee, today joined 150 protesters in Long Beach to fight the proposed state budget cuts that will prevent 10,000 qualified students from being admitted to CSU campuses and reduce the quality of education of California&...
November 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today urged the California Supreme Court to accept review of the legal challenges to Proposition 8 and for this matter of widespread concern to be "promptly resolved."
"The profound importance of the issues raised by Proposition ...
November 17, 2008
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and member of the Governor´s Emergency Council announced that disaster relief legislation is being drafted for victims of the Santa Barbara County Tea Fire.
"My measure will...
November 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, who serves as a University of California regent and a California State University trustee, said today´s announcement that the CSU system will eliminate 10,000 admission spots for the 2009-10 school year will in the long-term damage California&ac...
November 13, 2008
SHANGHAI, CHINA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom joined Vincent H.S. Lo, Chairman of Shui On Land, C. Richard "Dick" Kramlich, General Partner of New Enterprises Associates, and San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting to kick-off a new China-San Francisco economic development initiative called C...
November 10, 2008
Berkeley, CA – A public memorial celebrating the life of former gubernatorial, presidential and vice-presidential candidate Peter Camejo will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. at the International House on the University of California at Berkeley campus (2299 Piedmont Ave), according to an announ...
November 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi today appointed Dr. Edward Penhoet to serve as a commercial life sciences representative on the Independent Citizens´ Oversight Committee (ICOC), which governs the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Dr. Penhoet was previously vice-c...
November 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi today stood together with education, health care, student, taxpayer and labor leaders to draw the line against an additional $4.5 billion in budget cuts to education, health care and other vital services to balance the state´s ballooning $11 bill...
November 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Green Party will assume the No. 1 elected office in another California city, and may yet have two members on the powerful San Francisco Board of Supervisors after preliminary results were announced for Tuesday's election.
Greens, who already hold about 50 elected posts througho...
November 06, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Senate President pro Tem-Elect Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said that legislative leaders should begin meeting daily to hammer out an agreement on how to tackle the state´s growing budget deficit.
California´s tax revenues ar...
November 05, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi issued the following statement on the election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America:
"The voters have spoken and made history. By electing Barack Obama in overwhelming numbers, they have chosen change, opportunity a...
November 03, 2008
CA GOP Vice-Chair Jon Fleischman wants Lewis to return to private life.
REDLANDS -- A long-coming voter revolt within the Republican Party has surfaced as GOP stalwarts are quietly completing a purge of Republicans who are out of step with the ethics of ordinary Americans.
Republicans are...
November 01, 2008
LANCASTER, CA – As part of her campaign to create a stronger economy for the region, Democratic Assembly Candidate Linda Jones (36th District) today announced her "High Desert Region Green Jobs Initiative" - using ´green jobs´ to increase opportunities for unemployed and underemployed ad...
October 31, 2008
REDLANDS -- A poll taken by the Santa Monica firm of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin shows Tim Prince will defeat Jerry Lewis for the 41st Congressional District seat on election day by as much as five percent.
The poll reveals the voters of the district want honesty, integrity, and accessibility...
October 31, 2008
Lt. Gov. Garamendi An Expert on Climate Change, Say Jones´ Plan is a "Giant Leap Forward."
LANCASTER, CA – As part of her campaign to create a stronger economy for the region, Democratic Assembly Candidate Linda Jones (36th District) today announced her "High Desert Region Green Jobs Initia...
October 31, 2008
SUISUN CITY/FAIRFIELD, Ca. – An Iraq War veteran – fed up with what he calls incompetence and greed in City Hall, and the too powerful presence of Wal-Mart – could join Barack Obama Tuesday in breaking an electoral barrier for African Americans in his run for Suisun City Council.
Brian Cain, 39, ...
October 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO - The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held its first-ever special sitting in Sacramento to hear an appeal of California´s violent video game law authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo).
In 2005, the Legislature passed and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-...
October 29, 2008
How can we trust Parks to manage a multi-billion dollar County budget when he can´t keep his campaign solvent without breaking the law?
Bernard Parks – whose campaign continues to be buried in debt – has seized on yet another opportunity to prove that he thinks he is above the law.
Ac...
October 29, 2008
Stockton, Calif. – The Stockton Police Officers´ Association, the Stockton Professional Firefighters´ Association, the Lodi Professional Firefighters´ Association, and the San Joaquin County Deputy Sheriffs announced their endorsement of Congressman Jerry McNerney´s re-electi...
October 29, 2008
Dublin, Calif. – Congress has announced editorial endorsements from three newspapers in the 11th District: the Lodi News-Sentinel, the Modesto Bee, and the Danville Weekly.
All praised McNerney for his tireless dedication to serving his constituents, noting that he returns home to California each...
October 29, 2008
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Shannon Lawrence for Councilmember, City of Gardena, at its special elections this November 4th. Lawrence is running to fill the City Council seat vacated by Oscar Medrano, which will go until 2011.
The City of Gard...
October 29, 2008
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) opposes the recall of Commerce Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio and City Councilman Robert C. Fierro.
"The election in March 2005 of Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio and Councilman Robert Fierro was literally a breath of fresh air for the people o...
October 27, 2008
Taxpayers Association smears Democrats running for nonpartisan offices.
Three members of the County Board of Supervisors are large financial contributors to a political action committee which says it fights taxes but whose main political activity is to attack candidates for local nonpartisa...
October 27, 2008
by Tim Prince, Democratic nominee for California's 41st Congressional District
Americans have important choices to make on Nov. 4 to define not just what character traits they want in a president and members of Congress, but who we are as a nation.
Each presidential candidate insists we must c...
October 27, 2008
REDLANDS -- After weeks of stalling, Congressman Jerry Lewis has snubbed Democratic nominee Tim Prince's proposal for a debate.
The Congressman chose to duck the proposal and instead had his wife take a call from KBHR (Big Bear) radio requesting his response.
Arlene Willis, who identi...
October 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, endorsing Barack Obama for President on Meet the Press last weekend, offered a scathing rebuke of his own Republican Party's campaign tactics:
"I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is per...
October 25, 2008
OALAND – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) released a letter sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urging him to direct a greater share of the $145 million the state of California will receive from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Neighborhood Stabilization Act to com...
October 25, 2008
Earlier in the week it was former Secretary of State Colin Powell who said he is very "concerned at the selection of Governor Palin" as John McCain´s running mate. As Powell said on Meet the Press: "She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we ha...
October 22, 2008
Democrats gain more than 200,000 voters in 2008; Los Angeles County Democratic Party urges a vote for the Team for Change on Election Day.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) today reported record-breaking Democratic registration in Los Angeles County, with nearly...
October 22, 2008
Washington, DC – The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the nation's leading gun violence prevention organization, along with its California Brady Campaign Chapters, today announced its support for candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in California´s general election.
"We...
October 22, 2008
Statement of LA County Democratic Party Chair Eric C. Bauman Regarding Supervisor Yaroslavsky's Motion to Audit YPM-related Voter Registrations. Supervisor responds to the Democratic Party's request to protect voters against fraud by moving to expand the audit and review of voter registrations turne...
October 22, 2008
Denise Moreno Ducheny, Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), Assemblymember Roger Niello Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee and JLBC Members Senator Dennis Hollingsworth and Assemblymember Anna Caballero today announced that veteran budget analyst Mac Taylor has been selec...
October 22, 2008
Amendment Would Ensure California Fairly Represented in Electoral Showdown.
WASHINGTON – With Campaign 2008 headed for Election Day, Congressman Brad Sherman is reminding Americans that the country needs an amendment to the Constitution that would change the way the President is elected in th...
October 21, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In light of the national and international economic downturn, and as part of an effort to keep the economy strong in San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced an economic stimulus package.
"Despite our economic strengths, San Francisco is not immune from the worldwide credit...
October 20, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Even though 'Young Political Majors' crews returned to San Bernardino County, and their leader Mark Jacoby was arrested in Ontario Saturday night, county Democrats extended their registration lead over Republicans this week by almost 4,000.
Of the 13,003 new voters regi...
October 18, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On the 19th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake, Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that the first annual citywide earthquake preparedness drill will take place on Tuesday, October 21.
The drill, Shake Up San Francisco, is aimed at highlighting our earthquake risk and pr...
October 18, 2008
SAN DIEGO/EWORLDWIRE/--- On October 14, 2008, the Court of Appeal in Sacramento, Calif., ruled it is unconstitutional to deny state-funded domestic violence shelter services to men.
The case (Woods. v. Shewry) was filed by four men and the daughter of one, against the State of California and its ...
October 16, 2008
Bono Mack Owns Hundreds of Thousands in Fannie Mae Notes, Bonds.
PALM DESERT, CA, – Democratic Congressional nominee Julie Bornstein (CA-45) called on incumbent Mary Bono Mack to have the courage to meet in person and "look me in the eye and repeat the sleazy lies in your television ad. Your n...
October 16, 2008
SPEAKER PELOSI AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE FOCUSED ON THE PRIORITIES OF AMERICANS ON MAIN STREET BY PASSING MORE THAN 230 KEY MEASURES –70% WITH SIGNIFICANT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
The House had a quick, successful start (Six for ´06/100 Hours Agenda) and continued to build on that record of acc...
October 16, 2008
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Natural Resources Defense Council released a report last week applauding the Congressional passage of significant tax credit provisions introduced by U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) within the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008...
October 16, 2008
Los Angeles, CA -- Assemblymember Curren Price is joining forces with BlackNLA.com and Del Richardson and Associates, Inc. to host a "Live for Change" voter registration and Get-Out-The-Vote event Sunday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 510 S. La Brea Avenue in Inglewood.
"The "last push" ...
October 10, 2008
Faculty encourage students to get involved in the electoral process by using new technology and social networking sites to spread the word about voter registration virally.
With Election Day now just a month away, the California Faculty Association (CFA) has launched a campaign to register Cali...
October 13, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO, CA -- San Bernardino County, the largest county in the United States, has officially turned "blue" with more Democrats than Republicans registered to vote for the first time in more than seven years.
Weekly statistics released this morning by County Registrar of Voters Kari ...
October 10, 2008
San Francisco - With the stroke of his pen, Governor Schwarzenegger has imperiled 250,000 nursing home and assisted living residents by eliminating all state funding for California's long term care ombudsman program.
In a little publicized line item veto on September 23, 2008, the Governor cut $3...
October 09, 2008
REDLANDS – A chance to meet the candidates last night at the Democratic campaign offices of Tim Prince for Congress was praised as a first ever event and a great success. More than fifty in attendance had a chance to personally meet seven Democratic Candidates, including Congressman Joe Baca, to ...
October 09, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - In an effort to further conserve San Francisco´s pristine drinking water supply amidst a statewide drought, support sustainable greening of city yards and spaces, and help divert stormwater runoff from the City´s sewer system, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, ...
October 09, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Newsom picked San Francisco Environment Department Director Jared Blumenfeld to serve as interim Director of the Recreation and Park Department until a permanent Director has been hired. Blumenfeld, Environment Director since 2001, has twenty years of experience across a wi...
October 09, 2008
A battle of political superstars for the dominance of San Bernardino County is shaping up this weekend with back-to-back events featuring Ed Asner and Karl Rove.
Asner, Congressman Joe Baca, and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi will headline a cast of political all-stars on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Bob M...
October 09, 2008
Here Are Ways to Ensure the Newspaper Headline on November 5th Reads "Proposition 8 Defeated in California."
Trick or Treat? As you've likely heard, a CBS poll released today showed 47% of likely voters in favor of Proposition 8 and 42% opposed. The same poll a week ago showed just the oppos...
October 08, 2008
Beverly Hills, Calif. – The Beverly Hills/West Hollywood Democratic Club endorsed Measure H, a ballot measure that supports The Beverly Hilton Revitalization project. This endorsement joins other local leaders and organizations that support Measure H.
The Beverly Hilton Revitalization project tr...
October 08, 2008
Democratic Party urges voting for the change we need on the November 4, 2008, ballot.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) has adopted positions on statewide propositions and Los Angeles County ballot measures on the November 4, 2008, ballot.
"The Democratic Party...
October 08, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the lineup for the 2008 Fleet Week festivities.
"Fleet Week is a wonderful tradition because it gives the people of our City the opportunity to celebrate San Francisco´s rich naval history and also the chance to show the members of the ...
October 07, 2008
County to turn "blue" this week; Democrats to celebrate on Saturday.
SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters weekly voter registration report shows 2,070 more Democrats were registered this week, the third week in a row the Democrats have added more than two thousand vo...
October 07, 2008
With Election Day now just a month away, the California Faculty Association (CFA) has launched a campaign to register California college students to vote and encourage civic activism amongst young people.
"There is nothing more American than exercising one´s right to vote and many America...
October 07, 2008
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) introduced legislation (H.R. 7254) to ban government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, now government-controlled entities, from lobbying Congress and giving campaign contributions.
"American taxpayers ...
October 06, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom praised SB1XX, the Water Supply Reliability appropriations bill, citing its prudent and timely investments to address water challenges throughout California, through existing bond dollars. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill on Tuesday Oc...
October 07, 2008
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – In an effort to combat the alarming trend of drug abuse among youth, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today participated in a community-wide event hosted by the Betty Ford Center that was open to parents, educators and other community leaders at the world-renowned Eisenhower ...
October 03, 2008
San Pedro – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi has joined a growing list of environmental, healthcare and labor leaders asking for support of the Los Angeles Clean Truck Program to protect workers and cut down on pollution at the ports.
"At this critical point in California, when we see the ...
October 03, 2008
Human Rights Campaign Shares Equality California´s Extreme Disappointment with Gov. Schwarzenegger´s Veto.
WASHINGTON — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation Tuesday that would have officially designated May 22 as Harvey Milk Day in the state of California, honoring t...
October 03, 2008
RIALTO – Assembly Majority Leader Congressman Alberto Torrico has confirmed he will join the all-star cast set to celebrate turning the county "blue" when the San Bernardino County Democratic Party hosts a San "BLUE-nardino" County Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 11 p.m., at Bob Molin...
October 03, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO – City Councilman and KCAA-AM radio talk show host Dennis Baxter will be the guest speaker at the San Bernardino County Democratic Party's kick off the "Yes We Can California '08" political campaign on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in its headquarters at 136 Carousel Mall.
...
October 03, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today applauded the Department of Energy (DOE)´s loan guarantee program that will help expand clean, emissions-free nuclear power in the U.S. Bono Mack noted DOE´s announcement this afternoon that over nineteen new applications fro...
October 02, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that applications for new solar installations have quadrupled since GoSolarSF, San Francisco´s groundbreaking solar rebate program, was launched in July.
"Today, we have proof that if you give people the incentives to install solar pane...
October 02, 2008
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee announced that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 38 and Assembly Bill 2796.
California Emergency Services Ac...
October 02, 2008
Santa Barbara–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava, the California Department of Conservation´s Division of Oil & Gas, the California Department of Fish & Game and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency held a press conference in Santa Barbara yesterday to announce that Governor Schwarzenegger si...
October 02, 2008
OAKLAND – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed into law Assembly Bill 2954, establishing the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority to secure crucial funding to restore San Francisco Bay wetlands. Creating the Bay Restoration Authority is the primary recommendation in Save The Bay´s ground-bre...
October 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA – Late Tuesday Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two important bills authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) to improve neighborhood quality of life. AB 1778 cracks down on recycling raiders who steal newspapers from news stands and CRV containers from curbside recyc...
October 02, 2008
Sacramento – On the last day that he had to approve or reject bills, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 634, legislation by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) to update California´s definitions of olive oil grades to conform to international standards.
...
October 01, 2008
Governor Schwarzenegger has signed a number of important measures authored by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles). In addition to AB 2321 (authorizing Los Angeles´s Metropolitan Transportation Agency to place a .5% sales tax increase on the November 4 ballot to fund $40 billion in transportat...
September 30, 2008
Businesses will receive free solar power assessments and energy efficiency
audits to identify how to save energy and money
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Newsom challenged San Francisco businesses to go solar by this time next year, and join him as members of the Mayor´s Sola...
September 30, 2008
San Pedro – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi today joined a growing list of environmental, healthcare and labor leaders asking for support of the Los Angeles Clean Truck Program to protect workers and cut down on pollution at the ports.
"At this critical point in California, when we see the de...
September 30, 2008
(Sacramento) – Assemblyman Guy Houston´s (R-San Ramon) legislation aimed at preventing online harassment was signed by the Governor on Monday. Assembly Bill 919, the Internet Stalking Bill, is designed to protect citizens from stalking, harassment and other abuse over the internet.
"The mo...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Senate Bill 1105 by Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger at the State Capitol today. SB 1105 closes the loophole which allows teachers who plead no contest to specified sex and drug offenses to continue teaching in the classroom.
Under the current tea...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Over the past two years, 1.76 million Californians who already had healthcare benefits received surprise medical bills following hospital visits, according to a recent APCO Insight Survey. The practice known as balance billing results in individual medical bills ranging from $100 and u...
September 30, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack´s (CA-45) pro-consumer, pro-grower country of origin labeling (COOL) measure goes into effect today. This will require supermarkets and other food retailers to label and display the country of origin for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and nu...
September 30, 2008
"The Governor´s decision to veto AB 2262 guarantees that the program will continue to languish on the vine and that newborns´ lives will be at risk. Instead of improving the program, the governor has only guaranteed that its current flaws will remain in place. How many stories of babie...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO - On Saturday, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that will bring sunshine on commissions paid to brokers by healthcare insurance plans and providers. Assemblyman Solorio (D-Anaheim), author of the measure, applauded the Governor's action.
"Public agencies need to know what...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Motorists cited for high blood-alcohol levels could more easily be required to install breathalyzers in their vehicles, according to a Sen. Jenny Oropeza bill signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger.
"California currently is among the most lenient of states regarding extreme drunk dri...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to strengthen the state´s prevention and response to inland oil spills, enhance the state´s oiled wildlife search and rescue collection for both inland and marine spills, and increa...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill by Sen. Jenny Oropeza that would allow drivers to take advantage of portable global-positioning systems intended to help with navigation.
State law now prohibits anyone from driving with objects or materials placed, displayed, installed, a...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California continues to lead the nation in protecting free speech rights for high school and college students. A new law authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) will protect high school and college teachers and other employees from retaliation by administrators as a ...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO— Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a package of bills, including two by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), that will ensure care facilities for the elderly are prepared during disasters and power outages, provide law enforcement with more tools to ensure criminals who victim...
September 30, 2008
(Sacramento) In the biggest leap forward in California´s chemicals policy in two decades, AB 1879 (Feuer) and SB 509 (Simitian) were signed by Governor Schwarzenegger. For the first time, state scientists and regulators will have comprehensive authority to protect the public from harmful chem...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) has signed into law a bill that is expected to cut down on recidivism and homelessness of formerly incarcerated youth.
Senate Bill 1147, authored by Senators Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) and Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), will...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO: SB 1178, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), is now law in California after receiving the signature of Governor Schwarzenegger over the weekend. The measure is designed to protect the safety of dental consumers, and is closely related to SB 252, which the Governor signed i...
September 29, 2008
Sacramento -- In the biggest leap forward in California´s chemicals policy in two decades, AB 1879 (Feuer) and SB 509 (Simitian) were signed by Governor Schwarzenegger at a ceremony this morning. For the first time, state scientists and regulators will have comprehensive authority to protect ...
September 29, 2008
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, the City´s chief prosecutor, today issued the following statement in response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of Assembly Bill 2412, a measure authored by Assembly Member Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park). AB
2412 would have closed a...
September 29, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO -- Democrats added 2,246 to their numbers this week, gaining 967 on Republicans and coming within 1,423 voters of turning San Bernardino County "blue," according to registration statistics released by Kari Verjil, county Registrar of Voters, and reported by Patrick Kahler of www.BlueC...
September 27, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) authorizing a $5 billion bond to fund critically needed courthouse construction was signed into law yesterday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
SB 1407, which received bipartisan support in the Legislature, allows the iss...
September 27, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Noting the potential privacy and security risks associated with popular peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), joined by Congressman John Barrow (D-GA) and Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee Joe Barton (R-TX), today introduc...
September 27, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – As Congressional leaders consider a $700 billion bailout of Wall Street firms, Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, along with victims of foreclosure, policy and community leaders urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues today to protect homeowners´ interests by making sure th...
September 25, 2008
NEW YORK CITY, NY – Today San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that San Francisco has agreed to a formal partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to transform the city´s Civic Center into a sustainable resource district that maximizes energy and water efficiency, reduces wast...
September 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s (D-Newark) bill to create a statewide standard for background checks for emergency medical technicians and to establish a central EMT and paramedic registry was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
AB 2917 had broad bip...
September 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO: SB 133, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is now law in California after receiving the signature of Governor Schwarzenegger today. The Aanestad measure will require representatives of title marketing firms to obtain a license from the California Department of Insurance (C...
September 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO - In the middle of the biggest foreclosure crisis in our nation´s history, Gov. Schwarzenegger has turned his back on tenants across California by vetoing AB 2586, a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) that would have helped renters get their security deposit...
September 25, 2008
September 25, 2008 (Sacramento) AB 2321, authored by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger today. The legislation authorizes the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) to place on the November ballot an additional 0.5% sales tax for transporta...
September 25, 2008
Long Beach – Democratic Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a long time champion of providing health care coverage for all Californians, Tuesday threw his support behind the Children's Hospital Bond- because he believes healthcare needs of young patients must remain a top priority, regardless of the...
September 25, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to keep millions of American taxpayers from paying higher taxes on their 2008 income, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) voted in favor of a one year extension on alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief (H.R. 7005). This legislation passed this evening by a vote of 39...
September 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday at the National Press Club, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that San Francisco has enrolled 30,000 residents into the city´s ground-breaking Healthy San Francisco universal health care program, which is half of the estimated 60,000 uninsured residents th...
September 24, 2008
SACRAMENTO – In April, the US Senate approved legislation to address a 62-year injustice for Filipino WWII veterans, however yesterday the House of Representatives passed the same bill without the equity provision. The bill, S 1315, now heads to conference committee where the differences between th...
September 24, 2008
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday night passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), together with Representatives Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Lamar Smith (R-Texas), to eliminate rogue pharmacies operating on the Internet and protect the safety of...
September 24, 2008
NAPERVILLE, Ill., Sept. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- Americans for Truth (AFTAH) will join other pro-family groups on the steps of the San Francisco City Hall Friday, Sept. 26, to confront Mayor Gavin Newsom for welcoming a sadistic homosexual street fair to the city -- featuring hundreds of men walki...
September 23, 2008
HAWTHORNE, CA - Assemblymember Curren Price (D-Inglewood) and the California Legislative Black Caucus Foundation convened in Hawthorne, California at a forum to explore funding opportunities available to non-profit organizations on September 18, 2008 . The event provided local non-profit leaders, ...
September 21, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate passed two measures Friday to end the state´s 81-day budget stalemate and restart payments to schools, community colleges, day care centers, health care providers and others.
The Legislature originally approved the budget early Tuesday morning, but the Governor sa...
September 20, 2008
SUISUN CITY, Ca. – An Iraq War veteran – fed up with what he calls incompetence and greed in City Hall, and the too powerful presence of Wal-Mart – will officially kick-off his campaign for Suisun Council here Saturday when he hosts a community picnic.
The campaign event will be held 12 Noon to 3...
September 20, 2008
Washington, D.C. - The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, along with its California Chapters, has endorsed Bill Durston for election to Congress from California´s Third Congressional District. He is running against Congressman Dan Lungren.
Durston, an emergency room physician and a for...
September 19, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) said he supports a new proposal that would help end the state´s budget stalemate and has scheduled a Senate session for 4 p.m. Friday to vote on it.
The new proposal, discussed with the Governor and legislative leaders, mak...
September 19, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO -- The San Bernardino County Democratic Party will celebrate a "Bluer" county, with a party and fundraiser on Saturday, October 11, from 4 to 11 p.m., at Bob Molina Memorial Park behind the Brotherhood of Teamsters local #63 at 379 West Valley Boulevard in Rialto.
The "San BLUE-...
September 19, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) announced a $139,076 federal grant to increase the power of KERU-FM, 88.5 MHz, in Blythe, CA, expanding the station's coverage area and providing first service to approximately 9,000 people. These federal dollars are awarded through the U.S. D...
September 19, 2008
Sacramento, Calif. – California Department of Food and Agriculture has joined the California Fuel Cell Partnership as an associate member.
As a member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, CDFA will collaborate with other members to develop methods to measure and test hydrogen fuel as it is d...
September 19, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Airport Director John L. Martin unveiled the designs for the remodel of San Francisco International Airport´s (SFO) old international terminal into a new domestic terminal that will emphasize customer service and sustainability pr...
September 16, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate approved a spending plan today that protects funding for schools and other core state services but covers a $17 billion deficit with a slew of tough cuts and one-time revenue accelerations.
The budget bill was approved on a 28-12 vote. The Senate also passed measures s...
September 16, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In light of new statistics showing annual new HIV infections at levels higher than previously believed, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) have introduced a resolution in both chambers of Congress calling for a national AIDS strategy....
September 17, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today voted against the partisan energy bill, H.R. 6899, saying it is not the comprehensive solution that the American people are asking for and lacks meaningful bipartisan, bicameral support. Bono Mack, a consistent advocate for clean, altern...
September 15, 2008
Miller also criticizes Bush administration for delaying funding to assist reforms of the Colombian judicial system.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, sent a letter Friday to Colombia´s President Álvaro Uribe, a...
September 12, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Biodiesel production in San Francisco is one step closer to reality, now that the San Francisco Port Commission has approved Darling International´s proposal to manufacture the carbon-free fuel at its facility in the city´s southeast. Darling International will build...
September 12, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) applauded Senate action on her legislation to preserve scenic landscape in California´s 45th District. Bono Mack´s California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act, H.R. 3682, would preserve certain desert and forest landscapes as well ...
September 12, 2008
San Jose, CA) – California Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) reacted to the vote yesterday of healthcare workers at Stanford hospitals in favor of union representation.
In an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board, healthcare workers voted by more than a 3-...
September 12, 2008
Sacramento, CA -Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security was joined by Environment California, Sierra Club California, and the Natural Resources Defense Council to announce opposition to renewed efforts by Congress and the President of the U...
September 10, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that San Francisco´s Preschool for All program has expanded citywide. All San Francisco four-year-olds—in every neighborhood, and every zip code—are now eligible to participate.
"San Francisco is the only county in California will...
September 10, 2008
COSTA MESA, Calif., - More than 300 people with developmental disabilities, family members and service providers rallied this morning to show California´s leaders that the people want them to come together and either agree on a budget now, or pass an emergency appropriation bill to continue fu...
September 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Guy Houston, R-San Ramon, today held a press conference with Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, Senator Republican Leader Dave Cogdill, Senator Jeff Denham, and service providers across the state to urge Democrats and Governor Schwarzenegger to pass emergency funding ...
September 08, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The state Senate today rejected a Republican budget proposal to bridge the state´s $17 billion shortfall with massive borrowing and deep cuts to education and programs serving the poor, the elderly and children.
The vote was 13 in favor and 21 against.
"The Republican p...
September 06, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Protecting motorists from ´extreme´ drunken drivers; establishing the state´s first-ever massage-therapy regulations; saving taxpayer dollars by providing information online; and improved voter information through election reforms are among the bills sponsored by Sen. ...
September 06, 2008
SACRAMENTO – After over 50 organizations joined forces to oppose a discriminatory policy by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the Tour announced they would back off plans to suspend players who could not efficiently speak English.
"While it is quite unfortunate that in the 21st ce...
September 04, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Opposition to a recent policy by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) to require its athletes to speak English starting next year continued to grow today as several more organizations called on the Tour to rescind the new rule. Yesterday, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/...
September 05, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Today, in commemoration of the completion of the new California Academy of Sciences Building, Mayor Newsom cut the ribbon at the new "living roof" bus shelter at the Civic Center.
The California Academy of Sciences, working with the SFMTA, the Department of Public Works, Clear...
September 04, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California State Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and author of Assembly Joint Resolution 51 (AJR 51) announced that Assembly Joint Resolution 51, was passed by the California State Legislature on Sunday, August 31, 2008...
September 04, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that as part of the Victory Garden 2008+ program, the Victory Gardens Community Jury will select 15 pilot Victory Gardeners from the 300+ applications received.
"The Victory Gardens are another way to showcase San Francisco´s tangible c...
September 03, 2008
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) says he will urge Governor Schwarzenegger to veto legislation that passed the Assembly Floor last week, when the bill lands on the Governor´s desk. Aanestad, a licensed Oral Surgeon and Vice-Chair of the Senate Health Committee, has deep concer...
September 03, 2008
MORENO VALLEY, CA -- Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today participated in Riverside County's kickoff event in preparation for the Great Southern California ShakeOut -- the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history. Joined by Dr. Lucy Jones, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); Kate Long, California ...
September 02, 2008
(Sacramento) In the biggest leap forward in chemicals policy in two decades, the Legislature passed AB 1879 (Feuer) and SB 509 (Simitian). AB 1879 passed off the Assembly Floor with a vote of 61:10 and SB 509 passed off the Senate with a vote of 25:12.
"California´s policy framework fo...
September 02, 2008
Sacramento — Senate Democrats voted down an effort by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) to hear Assembly Bill 207 which would have allowed the State to make payments to nursing homes, health clinics and other vital facilities during the budget impasse.
"It is hypocritical for Senate Democrat...
September 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s (D-Newark) bill to create a statewide standard for background checks for emergency medical technicians and to establish a central EMT and paramedic registry passed the state Assembly 59 to 4. The bill will go to the Governor for his cons...
September 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s (D-Newark) bill to give a parent up to seven days to drop off a baby at a designated safe surrender site was overwhelmingly approved 64 to 6 by the state Assembly. The bill next goes to the Governor.
Assembly Bill 2262, approved w...
September 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Renters caught up in the foreclosure meltdown could gain some much-needed assistance if a bill authored by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) becomes law.
AB 2586 was approved by the state Assembly 43-28 and now goes to the Governor for his consideration.
AB ...
September 02, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate passed legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) to provide California´s courts $5 billion in much-needed improvements to operate safely and effectively.
SB 1407, approved on a 26-10 vote, authorizes the issuance of lease revenue bonds to fi...
August 30, 2008
Nearly $140 Million Included for Southern California Schools.
Ensuring that schools are receiving the financial resources to provide students with modern amenities, the California State and Consumer Services Agency and the Office of the Secretary of Education announced today the allocation of $...
August 30, 2008
(Sacramento) Legislation by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) to authorize the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) to place on the ballot an additional 0.5% sales tax for transportation funding passed the Senate today on a vote of 24:13. The tax is estimated to generate $2...
August 30, 2008
Sacramento, California – Highly-controversial legislation that would promote nurse-assisted suicide of patients who have been diagnosed as "terminally ill" has narrowly passed the Democrat-controlled California State Assembly. Voting for assisted suicide on Thursday were 42 Democrats; opposing assis...
August 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO - The state Assembly voted 62-0 Friday to approve a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions on their income tax returns to the California Cancer Center Fund. The bill will go to the Governor for his consideration.
...
August 30, 2008
Sacramento, CA –Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, announced Friday that Assembly Bill 38, creating a new agency named CALEMA (California Emergency Management Agency) passed the Legislature with bipartisan support. Next st...
August 30, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata released the following statement after SB 1407 passed the Assembly on a 44 to 18 vote:
"It is a sad day if the Republicans decided not to vote for this badly needed measure because they disagree with some of the California Supreme Court´s...
August 28, 2008
Sacramento–Today, the California State Assembly passed a bill that cracks down on recycling raiders who steal newspapers from news stands and CRV containers from curbside recycling bins. The legislation, AB 1778, provides law enforcement with needed tools to deter theft by placing modest requirement...
August 28, 2008
SACRAMENTO– Today, during a special legislative session on water, the State Assembly approved a proposal to spend prior voter approved bonds on urgently-needed water storage, reliability, and conservation efforts. Senate Bill 1xx by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) appropriates approx...
August 28, 2008
SACRAMENTO--The State Senate approved legislation that enacts key mortgage and lending reforms to protect Californians from irresponsible subprime lending, without curtailing responsible lending practices.
"Tens of thousands of Californian families are losing their homes because they were ste...
August 28, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would fund water storage, reliability and conservation efforts with already approved bond money cleared the Assembly Special Committee on Water.
SB 1XX (Second Extraordinary Session) appropriates $842 million in Pr...
August 28, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would forbid hospital emergency room physicians from billing patients directly when there are billing disputes with their HMOs passed the Assembly today on a 42-26 vote.
The practice of sending ER patients the ba...
August 28, 2008
SACRAMENTO - The American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC California) applauds Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger´s signing of AB 3034 (Galgiani) which revises, updates and expands upon provisions of the existing High-Speed Train Bond Act enacted in 2002. By signing the bill, the...
August 26, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed Assemblyman Jose Solorio's (D-Anaheim) Assembly Bill 2553. The new law requires judges to explain their reasons if denying temporary retraining orders in domestic violence cases. The bill was signed just before the California budget impasse prompt...
August 26, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Yesterday Mayor Gavin Newsom joined prominent healthcare leaders at the 2008 Symposium on Health and Wellness in Denver, Colorado.Along with Mayor Newsom panelists included Boston Mayor Tom Menino, Bruce Bodaken, CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield CA, Dr. Denis Cortese, M.D., CEO...
Health care leaders converge at State Capitol to urge Legislature: NO MORE HEALTH CARE CUTS in state
August 25, 2008
Health care cuts will affect all Californians, turning state´s health care crisis into a medical emergency.
SACRAMENTO – As the Legislature considers budget alternatives, California health care providers, consumer groups and patients held a press conference on the State Capitol steps...
August 22, 2008
Dean Andal will likely look back on the summer of 2008 as "the endless summer." Ongoing fundraising woes, plummeting ratings from political observers and the ongoing San Joaquin Delta College scandal (in which the developer Andal and his boss Gerry Kamilos played a central role) have formed a perfec...
August 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate approved legislation to provide greater public oversight of the board that regulates the San Francisco Bar Pilots – the maritime pilots who assist vessels traveling in Bay Area waters. SB 1217, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), also requi...
August 23, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) that could prompt the designation of state wilderness in Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Santa Clara and Sonoma Counties.
"The Legislature hasn´t designated new wilderness in nearly 30...
August 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO - With the number of Californians at the age of highest risk for cancer expected to rise to an unprecedented level in the coming decade, the state Senate today passed a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions on thei...
August 23, 2008
Sacramento–Today, the California State Senate passed a bill that cracks down on recycling raiders who steal newspapers from news stands and CRV containers from curbside recycling bins. The legislation, AB 1778, provides law enforcement with needed tools to deter theft by placing modest requirements ...
August 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 55-14 vote, the State Assembly today approved legislation to help revitalize Daly City´s Bayshore community. Senate Bill 1527, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), will allow the state to sell a thirteen acre overflow parking lot (Parcel A) ...
August 21, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Tuesday, on the floor of the state Assembly, Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) presented legislation to promote and increase compliance with laws providing public access to individuals with disabilities. SB 1608 (Corbett, D-San Leandro) made it off the floor with a 67-0 bipartisan vote.
...
August 21, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Senate Bill (SB) 1055, authored by Senator Michael J. Machado (D-Linden), passed out of the State Senate on a unanimous vote and is now awaiting transmission to the Governor.
SB 1055 will help Californians whose lenders have forgiven a portion of their mortgage debt, by allo...
August 21, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Senate Bill (SB) 1737, authored by Senator Michael J. Machado (D-Linden), passed the State Senate and is now awaiting transmission to the Governor. The bill would enact a comprehensive series of mortgage broker reforms aimed at fixing many of the problems that helped create Calif...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Motorists cited for high blood-alcohol levels could more easily be required to install breathalyzers in their vehicles, according to a Sen. Jenny Oropeza bill approved on a bipartisan, 34-0 vote today by the California state Senate.
"California currently is among the most lenient of ...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security Announced yesterday Assembly Bill 1960 passed the Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support. Next step is to the governor. The measure was inspired by a series of oil spills and enviro...
August 19, 2008
MORENO VALLEY, CA – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45), joined by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Susan Peppler, announced that Moreno Valley will receive more than $2.3 million to support community development and produce more affordable housing. HUD´s annual funding...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA — A measure to release the names of individuals who assist the Governor in choosing court judges cleared the Assembly House and is ready to be considered by the Governor.
AB 2095 seeks transparency in the judicial applicant process to ensure fairness and equitable decision...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Legislature has sent a measure to the Governor aimed at providing education and lower-cost non-judicial conflict resolution in disputes between homeowners and their homeowner associations.
Assembly Member Lori Saldaña, the bill´s author and Chair of the Assembly Committe...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 28-3 vote, the State Senate today approved legislation expected to help rehabilitate incarcerated juveniles and reduce recidivism. The Family Communication and Youth Rehabilitation Act, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), allows greater communica...
August 19, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that he has signed legislation banning the sale of tobacco in pharmacies.
"Pharmacies should be places where people go to get better, not where people go to get cancer," said Mayor Newsom. "This law is by no means a panacea, but if it stops ...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The State Assembly cast a bipartisan 62-2 vote last week to approve a water conservation bill by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis). The legislation, Assembly Bill 2882, would encourage public water agencies throughout the state to adopt conservation rate structures that reward consumers w...
August 19, 2008
Senate Bill 1105 by Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) passed the State Senate today. SB 1105 closes the loophole which allows teachers who plead no contest to specified sex and drug offenses to continue teaching in the classroom.
Under the current teacher credentialing law, if a person is found g...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today approved legislation to help eliminate illegally operating taxicabs. SB 1519, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), allows a judge to order a telephone service provider to stop service to a number that is being used for illegal taxicab ...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Teachers who are priced out of their schools´ neighborhoods could see shorter commutes to their classrooms in the future if state Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s (D-Newark) AB 1112 becomes law. The bill passed the state Senate today 21 to 15 and now moves to the ...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) aimed at providing homeowners with three to four months of advance notice on their initial home loan resets was approved 23-16 by the state Senate.
AB 529, supported by consumer advocates seeking assistance for homeowner...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO- Legislation to regulate dead body exhibits, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), passed the Assembly Floor today with bipartisan support and a vote 62-5 and will now move to the Governor´s desk. On Wednesday, the legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 24-10. A...
August 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Budget Committee held a hearing on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 19, a budget reform measure co-authored by Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes). After hearing testimony from Budget Committee Vice Chairman Assemblyman Roger Niello and several members of the publi...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Over the past two years, 1.76 million Californians who already had healthcare benefits received surprise medical bills following hospital visits, according to a recent APCO Insight Survey. The practice known as balance billing results in individual medical bills ranging from $100 and u...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The State Senate voted 34-2 to support legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to protect farmers from unwarranted nuisance suits by ensuring that the purchasers of property in agricultural areas are fully aware of the state's right-to-farm laws.
"When housing and other non...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The State Senate voted 31-5 in support of legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to enable all cities in California to save money and time on public construction projects using the efficient design-build process. Assembly Bill 642 now moves back to the State Assembly, where the ...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Those that knowingly hire illegal signature gatherers are one step closer to facing jail time and big fines, thanks to Senate Bill 1686, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced).
"The big fish that bankroll illegal signature gathering will no longer be able to get away with blami...
August 14, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Legislature approved Assembly Bill (AB) 2090 authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, to help California´s wine industry educate consumers and market its wines.
"The wine industry markets wines by r...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Legislation, authored by Assemblymember Gene Mullin (D-South San Francisco) that will protect property rights in condominiums and other common interest developments passed the Senate 35-1. Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) was the only no vote.
AB 2259 would allow an owner in a...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California State Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, announced this week that Assembly Joint Resolution 51, telling the President and Congress that California opposes lifting the moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO—The State Senate voted this week to support legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to require residential care facilities for the elderly to better prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies such as power outages.
"Residential care facilities provide a vita...
August 14, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack´s (CA-45) legislation (H.R. 6085) to help commemorate the life and achievements of President Gerald R. Ford was signed into law. Under this new law, the postal facility in Rancho Mirage, CA, near the Ford residence, will be named the "Gerald R. ...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Motorists cited for high blood-alcohol levels could more easily be required to install breathalyzers in their vehicles, according to a Sen. Jenny Oropeza bill approved on a bipartisan, 63-0 vote today by the California Assembly.
"California currently is among the most lenient of sta...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security announced that AB 1946, sponsored by the California District Attorneys Association, passed the State Legislature this week and is now awaiting a signature from the Governor.
...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Jenny Oropeza, whose district includes much of the coastal areas from Venice to Long Beach and is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, hailed yesterday´s last-minute changes to Assembly Bill 2321, which called for prioritizing Los Angeles County transportation fun...
August 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – A bill has been signed into law that will require more transparency when policy holders are dropped from long-term care insurance policies.
Under current law, insurers are required to maintain a record of all policy rescissions except those voluntarily initiated by the insured. Th...
August 10, 2008
Rancho Cucamonga – Senator Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) will join with Assemblyman Bill Emmerson and County Supervisors Chairman Paul Biane to host the fourth annual "First Responders Night" at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga.
Scheduled for Friday, August 15 at 7:00 pm the event is held to honor...
August 10, 2008
Legislation follows 2006 law that protects students to also protect teachers.
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate on Tuesday sent Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) legislation designed to protect high school and college teachers and other employees from retaliation by adm...
August 10, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) made the following remarks to reporters Tuesday about state budget negotiations:
"The fact that the governor now has said we cannot balance this budget, we cannot get through the next three or four years, without at least a temporary...
August 10, 2008
City nearing 7% reduction targets for 2012 outlined in the Kyoto Protocol; Newsom also Accepts Award for City´s Effort Combating Climate Change.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom today solidified San Francisco´s status as a leader on environmental issues accepting an award fro...
August 10, 2008
Misleading mailers and ads won´t sway Wolk´s vote to protect infants from toxic chemicals.
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) on Tuesday blasted a media campaign run by the American Chemistry Council to sway key legislators´ votes on legislation to restrict the che...
August 10, 2008
Findings follow new research showing public health benefits of AB 2716.
SACRAMENTO – Three in four (73%) California voters are in favor of a law allowing all workers to earn paid sick days, according to a statewide survey released today. The ...
August 10, 2008
Sacramento – The State Senate voted 35-0 Tuesday to approve Senate Bill 634, legislation by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) to update California´s definitions of olive oil grades to conform to international standards.
SB 634 also defines "flavored olive oil" to reflect market p...
August 10, 2008
Bill allows sale of 13 acre overflow parking lot at Cow Palace.
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 7-2 vote, the Assembly Business and Professions Committee today approved legislation to help revitalize Daly City´s Bayshore community. Senate Bill 1527, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Fr...
August 10, 2008
Common Sense Measure Will Shore-up Escrow Market.
Sacramento, CA – AB 2323, a bill by Assemblyman Bob Huff that expands background checks for state escrow license applicants to include federal conviction or arrest information, was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Previous...
August 10, 2008
Legislation gives Californians new tool to express wishes for medical care.
SACRAMENTO — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law on Monday legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) providing seriously ill patients with a life expectancy of a year or less with a new tool to c...
August 10, 2008
Yee´s bill would stop excessive medical bills for those enrolled in Healthy Families & AIM programs.
SACRAMENTO – Over the past two years, 1.76 million Californians who already had healthcare benefits received surprise medical bills following hospital visits, according to a recent ...
August 10, 2008
Public-safety measure ´decriminalizes´ use of popular devices.
SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly on a widely bipartisan, 61-zero vote approved and sent to the governor a bill by Sen. Jenny Oropeza that would allow drivers to take advantage of portable global-positioning systems i...
August 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO – A bill aimed at preventing hackers from gaining access to electronic voting machines has been signed into law.
Assembly Bill 3026, authored by Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego), will prohibit internet connections to voting machines or their networks, and the exterior transm...
August 10, 2008
Fighting for Increased Access to Public Higher Education and UC Worker Fairness, Portantino Earns "Legislator of the Year" from AFSCME Local 3299.
OAKLAND, CA – The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 named Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Ca...
August 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s (D-Newark) bill to provide improved notification about state special schools services to parents of children assessed for an individualized education program was signed into law last week by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The bill, A...
Democrats Blast Governor and Republicans for Holding Up State Budget, Forcing Cuts in Vital Services
August 10, 2008
LOS ANGELES – Democratic legislators challenged Republicans last week to pass a responsible budget immediately and quit hurting thousands of Californians, who will see health care and other state services dwindle in coming days without a spending plan in place.
Physicians, patients and pharmaci...
August 10, 2008
Respectfully Asks Governor to Make Health Care a Priority in the State Budget.
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) urged the State Legislature to take immediate action to restore reimbursement rates for all Medi-Cal providers during a news conference on the West Steps of the Stat...
August 10, 2008
"Educators will now benefit from important training on how to make better use of data in the classroom." says O'Connell.
SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O´Connell issued a press release this week applauding Governor Schwarzenegger for signing into law AB 239...
August 10, 2008
BAKERSFIELD – Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) announced that a District Representative will be in communities throughout the 18th Senate District this month to meet with individuals needing information or assistance with state agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Fish...
August 09, 2008
Bill improves response to inland oil spills, rescue and treatment of oiled wildlife.
SACRAMENTO – The State Senate´s Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to approve landmark legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to strengthen the state´s prevention and response to inla...
August 09, 2008
VENICE – As part of a public-awareness effort to draw attention to a plan allowing customers of catered events to choose between either taking home any leftover food or donating it to a worthy cause, Sen. Jenny Oropeza hosted a press conference today where donated food was served to the homeless, th...
August 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate Thursday passed Assembly Bill 3034, by Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani, a measure to correct flaws in the November ballot´s High Speed Rail, Proposition 1. The bill contained a series of accountability provisions to address concerns raised by Senator Ashbur...
August 09, 2008
Assemblymember has fought for passage of ACR 21 over the past year to help address disproportionately low minority enrollment in the nation´s best public university system.
Sacramento – ACR 21, authored by Assemblymember Portantino and strongly supported by the California Legislative Bla...
August 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to create a statewide standard for background checks for emergency medical technicians and establish a central EMT and paramedic registry was approved by the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill now moves to the S...
August 09, 2008
Assembly Bill would update the duties of Economic Strategy Panel to seek a global competitiveness focus.
Sacramento, CA – AB 1916, the California Innovation, Technology, and Science Policy Act authored by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), was approved by the Senate Ap...
August 09, 2008
Committee approves several bills to address critical local issues.
SACRAMENTO – Several bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) were approved today by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Four of the bills address critical local issues facing the Senator´s ...
August 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Jenny Oropeza, whose district includes much of the coastal areas from Venice to Long Beach and is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today responded to the postponement of a vote on AB 2321, which called for prioritizing Los Angeles County transportation funding:
...
August 09, 2008
Assemblywoman Ma says working Californians deserve a state government that works, calls on Republicans to support needed revenues.
SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 2716, the Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act, was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday as a result of Califo...
August 09, 2008
Asks Colleagues to Pray for and Honor Those Who Died While Protecting California.
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) adjourned Senate Session Thursday morning in the memory of nine firefighters who died Tuesday night in a helicopter crash while fighting the Buckhorn Wildfire in ...
August 09, 2008
Yee amendment helps protect main line of bullet train from SF to LA.
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate on Thursday approved Assembly Bill 3034 to rewrite the $10 billion bond measure set to go before the voters in November to build the state´s high speed rail system. AB 3034 improve...
August 09, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The fines floated in Mayor Gavin Newsom´s mandatory recycling law won´t be so steep after all. Today Newsom directed the Department of the Environment to cap residential recycling fines at $100.
"The point here is to boost our recycling rate to above 90 percent," s...
August 09, 2008
Rancho Cucamonga – Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), Assemblyman Bill Emmerson (R- Redlands), and San Bernardino County Supervisors Chairman Paul Biane are teaming up to host the fourth annual "First Responders Night" at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga.
Scheduled for Friday, August 15 at...
August 09, 2008
NBC News featured legislation Tuesday night by Assemblyman John J. Benoit that cracks down on false 911 calls in a special report on non-emergency calls made on 911 lines.
The report touched on a troubling trend across the country with 911 emergency systems being tied down with frivolous phone call...
August 01, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today called for immediate action to address the nation´s energy crisis, condemning House leadership for choosing vacation over a real solution to high gas prices and a strained economy. Saying that the American people deserve more, Bono...
August 01, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Legislation to crack down on graffiti, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill, AB 1767, establishes a San Francisco pilot project that will allow the City to require graffiti offenders to perform graffiti cl...
August 01, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Yesterday Mayor Gavin Newsom officially signed San Francisco´s 2008-2009 budget.
"Today, I am signing a budget that despite the severe budget crisis, expands universal access to healthcare, strengthens programs for the homeless and protects public safety," said Mayor New...
August 01, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack´s (CA-45) bill to resolve an ongoing water dispute and bring a long-awaited solution to this issue for the Soboba Tribe, local residents and water districts was signed into law today by the President. The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlemen...
August 01, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that the city´s
litter has dropped by 19% in the course of one year, moving San Francisco
substantially closer to its goal of reducing litter in the city by 50% over
5 years.
"A 19% drop in litter is great, but we should by no means ...
July 31, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision Thursday to cut jobs and salaries of state workers is a "cynical manipulation of those dedicated public servants who can least afford the loss of pay and jobs in the current economic crisis," according to a statement released by the Green Party of C...
July 31, 2008
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation declines production of long overdue report of agency´s management and governance practices.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today demanded that Charles E.F. Millard, director of the...
July 30, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Newsom commended the federal Department of Homeland Security´s announcement that the Bay Area will receive $37.1 million in homeland security grant funding, as part of the 2008 Super Urban Area Security Initiative (SUASI) program. This represents an 8.9 percent incre...
July 30, 2008
July 28, 2008 – On Thursday, Jul 24th, the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) Board approved $1.9 million of funding for the restoration of the Hollyhock House at the Barnsdall Art Park in Los Angeles, California.
"The decision reached today by CCHE takes us one step further ...
July 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Approved by unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack´s (CA-45) bill to resolve decades of water disputes and bring much-deserved reparation for the Soboba Tribe and local residents is now heading to the President's desk for his signature. The Sobo...
July 24, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state legislators welcomed several Central Valley mayors and hundreds of California farm workers to the Capitol steps yesterday. The rally's focus was to urge legislators to let voters decide on a water bond ...
July 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) today signed into law a bill authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) that ensures employees of temporary staffing agencies are paid in a timely manner and resolves uncertainty in current labor law as result of a 2006 Cali...
July 23, 2008
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Littleton) today sent the following letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey asking him to investigate the San Francisco sanctuary city policy that led to a triple homicide by an illegal alien.
A copy of the letter is below:
# # # #
The Honor...
July 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) today signed into law a bill aimed at protecting animals after the deaths of their owners. Senate Bill 685, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), is expected to reduce the burden on pet shelters, conserve public servi...
July 23, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Joined by the Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Philip Mangano, today Mayor Gavin Newsom announced new federal funding to assist homeless veterans in San Francisco find housing. The funding will be targeted toward providing homeless veterans with ...
July 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) today announced that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Senate Bill 1263. The measure will allow Amtrak to provide bus service to Frazier Park and the Mountain Communities by way of its Santa Clarita-to-Lebec "feeder bus" route.
Feeder bu...
July 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Roy Ashburn today announced that Senate Bill 1621 to provide relief to California´s nursing shortage has been signed into law.
Senate Bill 1621 provides an incentive for practicing nurses to become instructors by extending student loan forgiveness through the State N...
July 23, 2008
Santa Barbara–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced today that the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Coast Region filed an $8.5 million complaint against Greka Energy yesterday for its failure to comply with a cleanup and abatement order issued on December 20, 2006.
"I...
July 21, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and the California Department of Food and Agriculture today announced that Bombino Express Worldwide has been sued for importing unmarked packages of mangos and yams from India that had not been treated to prevent the spread of the destruc...
July 21, 2008
Sacramento–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced today that his legislative initiative to protect victims, witnesses, and our communities from sexually violent predators was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
"I am very gratified that Governor Schwarzenegger signed my legislation today," said...
July 19, 2008
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Senate Bill 1431, legislation by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) enabling the state Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to expand the use of conservation easements to protect state parklands.
A conservation easement is a volu...
July 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced a $150,000 settlement for aspiring homeowners who had their entire down payments unlawfully seized by Lease2OwnHomes for missing rent on a lease-to-own agreement.
"We have obtained restitution for renters who were ripped off b...
July 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Governor signed two bills authored by Assembly Member Mullin (D-South San Francisco) into law this week. AB 2197, Chapter 128, Statutes of 2008, requires a school district to notify the county superintendent of schools and the county auditor at least 30 days prior to approving the...
July 17, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and City Attorney Dennis Herrera announced today that the City and County of San Francisco is joining Sierra, San Mateo, and Kern counties, in submitting an amicus brief in support of a preliminary injunction blocking the state´s...
July 17, 2008
Community Leaders Urge City Council to Hold Grocery Chains Accountable for Unequal Treatment of "Food Desert" Communities. Policy Would Heighten Job and Environmental Standards and Incentivize Opening More Stores in Underserved Neighborhoods.
Los Angeles – A Blue Ribbon Commission, convened by ...
July 17, 2008
Sacramento – Assemblywoman Sharon Runner´s (R – Lancaster) Section 8 Housing legislation, Assembly Bill 2827, gained the support of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and was signed into law.
"I am thrilled that the Governor joined me in the fight against Section 8 Housing fraud," Runner said...
July 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Legislation expected to help rehabilitate incarcerated juveniles and reduce recidivism was unanimously approved yesterday in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The Family Communication and Youth Rehabilitation Act, authored Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), allows gre...
July 17, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) –The Governor signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to allow people to drink wine at winery picnic areas.
Sponsored by the Wine Institute, a trade association of over 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses, Assembly Bill (AB) 200...
July 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO - After a final vote in the California Assembly Monday, AB 2391 (Solorio), a bill that would provide school districts with the option of offering teacher-development courses in data analysis, is on its way to the Governor's desk. The bill, authored by Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) ...
July 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Calling it a backwards measure that will hurt our economy and the environment, Assemblyman Van Tran today defended California´s economy from yet another costly tax increase being pushed by Democrats, voting to reject legislation that would raise shipping costs by $400 million annu...
July 17, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today disclosed "shocking new details" about Countrywide Financial´s deceptive business practices which included ignoring their own underwriting guidelines and rewarding employees for selling risky home loans.
"These shocking new...
July 17, 2008
GOLETA - Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, who is a California State Lands Commissioner and former Deputy Secretary to the U.S Department of the Interior, issued the following statement on President Bush´s aerial tour of California´s fire areas scheduled for this afternoon.
"From ...
July 15, 2008
Legislature approves new method for physicians to follow instructions of terminally ill patients.
July 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and the legislature´s representative on the California Ocean Protection Council announced today that his Assembly Joint Resolution 49 calling on the United States Congress, the President,...
July 15, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Voting to override the President´s veto, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today helped ensure that millions of seniors have access to the health care they need. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Provider Act, H.R. 6331, will reverse the 10.6 percent cut in reim...
July 15, 2008
LOS ANGELES--Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that California will receive $23 million of a $515 million nationwide settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb. The settlement resolves allegations that the company reported "grossly inflated" drug wholesale prices to California´s M...
July 14, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) announced Monday they will push legislation to fund water storage, reliability and conservation efforts with already approved bond money.
"It's imperative that we get to work immed...
July 14, 2008
San Francisco would receive millions for urgently needed sewer improvement and "green" stormwater projects under proposed legislation.
July 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – By a bipartisan vote, the California State Assembly today overwhelmingly approved a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to require that parents with children who are being assessed for an individualized education program (IEP) be given information about the Calif...
July 14, 2008
(Sacramento) – Today, Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) announced that his bill Assembly Bill 2802 was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. AB 2802 requires a person convicted of a wet and reckless that has a prior drunk driving conviction in the past ten years, to participate in a nine mon...
July 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California State Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Chair of the Banking and Finance Committee, announced today that Assembly Joint Resolution 51 telling the President and Congress that California opposes lifting the m...
July 13, 2008
CHICAGO – The progressive left chose its new candidate for President Saturday when former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney – now a resident of California – was tabbed as Green Party's candidate for President at the Green Party Presidential Nominating Convention here. She won on the first ballot, garnering...
July 13, 2008
LOS ANGELES – Bolstered by nurses, doctors, labor unions, small business owners and women´s groups, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi has unveiled a $40 million national health care reform campaign to hold health insurance companies accountable and provide quality, affordable health care for ...
July 12, 2008
CHICAGO – California's 168 delegates – by far the largest contingent of any state – will play a major role this week in choosing the Green Party's candidate for President at their 2008 Presidential Nominating Convention at the Palmer House Hilton and Chicago Symphony Center July 10-13.
The floor ...
July 12, 2008
SAN JOSE) – The Governor´s budget cuts to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) would devastate thousands of families and hurt the economy by reducing hours and jobs for many health care workers employed by the valuable safety net program, Democratic legislators said today.
Joining senior...
July 12, 2008
Sacramento- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 2060, by Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore), recognizing tribal fire departments for the emergency services they provide to nearby communities. AB 2060 provides an exemption from vehicle license fees for tribal fire departments that ent...
July 12, 2008
Lt. Governor John Garamendi Delivers Food and Water to Butte County Assuring Fire Evacuees an Upgrade in Federal Assistance for Depleted Local Services
CHICO/OROVILLE – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi today assured Butte County fire evacuees and county officials he is working ...
July 12, 2008
SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Assembly Bill 1976, legislation by Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) that strengthens fines for fraudulent 911 telephone calls.
"Having spent years responding to emergency situations where lives are in imminent ...
July 11, 2008
Letter Authored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Maxine Waters and Lynn Woolsey Addresses Iraqi Sovereign Right to Deployment Timetable.
Washington – In a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, signed by thirty-two members of Congress, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) acknowledged and sup...
July 10, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to help firefighters effectively fight catastrophic wildfires, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today voted in favor of the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement (FLAME) Act (H.R. 5541). The bill would establish a federal fund designated solely for...
July 10, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Marking the one year anniversary of the initiation of the program, today Mayor Gavin Newsom was joined by Supervisor Tom Ammiano and Catholic Healthcare West President/CEO Lloyd H. Dean to announce the next phase of San Francisco´s universal healthcare program Healthy San F...
July 09, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Budget Conference Committee tonight finished reconciling differences between versions of the 2008-09 state fiscal plan drafted by the Assembly and Senate.
The plan rejects the Governor´s deep cuts in education and health care and includes $9.7 billion in new revenue, whi...
July 09, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – The Governor signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to help non-profit organizations organize fundraising events with wine donated from California´s wine industry.
"Californians have a generous spirit and a love of wine," said Evans. "W...
July 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) called on the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to take immediate and emergency action today, in response to numerous wildfires that have charred thousands of acres of land in his Northern California District. Aanestad, who testified b...
July 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO: SB 1178, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), is heading for an Assembly Floor vote after passing its final committee test in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Senator Aanestad introduced SB 1178 earlier this year to protect the safety of dental consumers, and the meas...
July 08, 2008
RIVERSIDE--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and District Attorney Rod Pacheco sued TXI International, a Riverside cement plant, for exposing people to the potent carcinogen hexavalent chromium without providing warnings to the community as required by law.
"Dust, which contained e...
July 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) signed into law a bill to allow greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies.
Senate Bill 1696, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), prohibits a state or local ...
July 08, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) providing immediate relief to homeowners caught in the mortgage crisis was signed by the Governor today at a ceremony in Oakland.
The measure, SB 1137, requires lenders...
July 08, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Yesterday, the California State Legislature unanimously passed a resolution authored by Assemblymembers Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) calling upon the United States Congress to enact a shield law for America's journalists.
Sponsored by the Califor...
July 08, 2008
COMPTON--Further escalating the state´s crackdown on violent gang activity, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and the Los Angeles County Sheriff´s Department today announced that 24 Mob Piru gang members were arrested this morning in the City of Compton.
The arrests mar...
July 08, 2008
San Francisco, CA – In his ongoing effort to ensure that buildings in San Francisco are as structurally sound as possible, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced new legislation and issued Executive Directive 08-07 to address seismic safety issues around "soft-story" buildings. The Directive and legislation w...
July 08, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Joined by community leaders, city department heads, members of law enforcement and national violence prevention experts, Mayor Gavin Newsom released San Francisco´s Violence Prevention Plan at the Omega Boys Club. As part of the release of the plan, Mayor Newsom unveiled the "Ali...
July 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee yesterday approved Assembly Bill 3034 to rewrite the $10 billion bond measure set to go before the voters in November to build the state´s high speed rail system, but not before a critical amendment was forced into the bill to protec...
July 02, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed today joined leaders from Bay Area and statewide water agencies to unveil a regional public education campaign aimed at reminding residents and businesses to curb water use this summer and fall. The "Water Saving Hero...
July 02, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) providing immediate relief to homeowners caught in the mortgage crisis was approved today by the Senate on a bipartisan 32-8 vote and sent to the Governor´s desk.
...
July 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Roy Ashburn made a motion in the Senate Transportation Committee Monday to remove the High Speed Rail measure, Proposition 1, from the November ballot. During a hearing over a last-minute rewrite of the ballot measure, Ashburn raised serious concerns over the complete lack of a...
July 02, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would immediately appropriate $47 million in federal money for low-performing schools fell one vote short today of receiving the two-thirds majority needed, as all 14 votes against were cast by Republicans.
SB 6...
July 02, 2008
Sacramento – The State Assembly voted 43-28 Monday to approve Senate Bill 1431, legislation by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) to enable the state Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to expand the use of conservation easements to protect state parklands.
The Senate approved SB 14...
July 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) signed into law a bill that victim advocates believe will result in more women coming forward to law enforcement after falling victim to domestic violence. Senate Bill 1356, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), prote...
June 30, 2008
(OAKLAND) – Legislation pushed by Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) will provide $71.5 million in Proposition 1C funding for Oakland affordable housing projects this year and will help stimulate the beleaguered local economy by generating decent-paying construction jobs.
Senat...
June 30, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The Senate Appropriations Committee today passed Assembly Bill (AB) 16, authored by Assemblymembers Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and Dr. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), to require health plans and insurers to cover the cost of vaccinating young women against several strains of the vir...
June 30, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – Legislation sent to the Governor today by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) will, if signed, codify existing consumer expectations on winery picnic areas and tasting rooms.
Sponsored by the Wine Institute, a trade association of over 1,000 California wineries and aff...
June 30, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) providing immediate relief to homeowners caught in the mortgage crisis passed the Assembly today.
SB 1137 would give notice to property residents that the foreclosure process has begun, provide tenants additional tim...
June 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO - California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. joined ten states in announcing that Anheuser-Busch will discontinue its popular alcoholic energy drinks, including Tilt and Bud Extra, and will not produce any caffeinated alcohol beverages in the future.
"Anheuser-Busch, the largest ...
June 27, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – The State Senate unanimously approved legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to help non-profit organizations organize fundraising events involving wine donated from California´s wine industry.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1964 passed the Senate with a...
June 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The State´s Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water voted 5-3 to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to protect the declining fisheries in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Assembly Bill 1806 requires the development of protocols to guide preparati...
June 27, 2008
Sacramento - AB 2425, authored by Assemblymember Joe Coto (D-San Jose), requires the State Department of Public Health to convene a working group of interested parties whose purpose would be to increase public knowledge about the contamination of pharmaceuticals. This group would conduct research ...
June 26, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Two bills by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to give borrowers more advance notice before their loans reset, and to protect renters whose landlords´ properties are in foreclosure passed the Senate Judiciary Committee this week on 3-2 votes.
AB 2586 gives r...
June 26, 2008
(SACRAMENTO)—California is poised to become the first state in the nation to ban the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in food and beverage containers designed for children three years and under. Today, the California Assembly´s Health Committee approved Senator Carole Migden´s "To...
June 26, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. yesterday sued Countrywide Financial, its chief executive Angelo Mozilo, and president David Sambol, for engaging in deceptive advertising and unfair competition by pushing homeowners into mass-produced, risky loans for the sole purpose of...
June 26, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Over the past two years, 1.76 million Californians who already had healthcare benefits received surprise medical bills following hospital visits, according to a recent APCO Insight Survey. The practice known as balance billing results in individual medical bills ranging from $100 and u...
June 26, 2008
SACRAMENTO—Two days after Senator Barack Obama unveiled a national push for paid sick days, California State Senate Democrats passed Assembly Bill 2716, the Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act, out of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, putting California on track to beco...
June 26, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) that directs the state to assess the suitability of specific state roadless lands in Northern California for wilderness designation.
Assembly Bill (AB) ...
June 26, 2008
STATE CAPITOL-The Senate Rules Committee yesterday defeated four budget reform measures that were authored by State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), the major budget holdout last summer. These four measures were part of Denham´s Budget Reform package totaling six measures: three Senate Constitu...
Sen. Oropeza plan allowing vehicle breathalyzers for 'extreme' drunken drivers passes two Assembly r
June 24, 2008
California´s current blood-alcohol level is highest in nation.
June 24, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Legislation expected to help rehabilitate incarcerated juveniles and reduce recidivism was unanimously approved today in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The Family Communication and Youth Rehabilitation Act, authored Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), allows greater ...
June 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) today joined Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Lamar Smith (R-Texas) in introducing legislation (H.R. 6353) to stop rogue pharmacies operating on the Internet and protect the safety of consumers who fill legitimate prescriptions online.
...
June 24, 2008
Citing conflicts of interest, an underperforming investment portfolio, and a lack of employee representation, Portantino and Yee seek to ask the Legislature, voters to correct this injustice.
June 23, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today called upon CVS Pharmacy to immediately stop selling expired products, including baby food and over-the-counter medications, which were discovered during recent undercover shopping investigation in Southern California. The attorney g...
June 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO--California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. called upon California´s Internet service providers to follow the lead of Verizon, Time Warner Cable and Sprint by "purging their servers of existing child pornography and blocking access to newsgrou...
June 23, 2008
(LOS ANGELES) – The Governor´s budget cuts to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) would devastate thousands of families and hurt the economy by reducing hours and jobs for many health care workers employed by the valuable safety net program, Democratic legislators said last week.
Joining s...
June 23, 2008
Sacramento – Last week Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R – Lancaster) announced that Assembly Bill 2781 passed the Senate Public Safety Committee. This legislation protects California´s children by enhancing disclosure requirements of sex offenders on the Megan´s Law web site.
"As a leg...
June 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – On a 69-0 vote, the California State Assembly today sent Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) legislation to allow greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies. Once the bill is received by the Governor, he will have twelve da...
June 23, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation that will help generate construction jobs by providing $300 million in Proposition 1B and 1C funding for housing and transportation projects passed the Senate today on a bipartisan 35-0 vote.
The bill, AB 1252 by Assembly Member Anna Marie Caballero (D-Salinas), appro...
June 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – A landmark plastic bag reduction bill authored by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Woodland Hills) and designed to clean up litter and save shoppers money on groceries was amended and passed by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on a 5 to 2 vote. Levine´s Assembly bill 2058 ...
June 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO: SCR 117, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), passed its final legislative test with flying colors earlier this afternoon, getting unanimous, bi-partisan support during an Assembly Floor vote. The measure will now be Chaptered with the California Secretary of State, and rep...
June 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The Senate Health Committee voted unanimously this week to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to provide patients with a concise new method to provide specific and unambiguous instructions for their end-of-life care.
Wolk´s Assembly Bill 3000 enables pat...
June 14, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The California State Assembly unanimously passed a resolution authored by Assemblymembers Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) calling upon the United States Congress to enact a shield law for America's journalists.
Sponsored by the California Newspaper...
June 14, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Wednesday, high speed trains moved one step closer to becoming a reality in California. The House rail transportation bill, which passed with overwhelming support, includes $1.75 billion dollars available to states to help fund high speed rail across the country. Congressman Jim...
June 14, 2008
Sacramento – A study released by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists is posing a public relations problem for a group of California cancer doctors opposed to a bill that essentially puts into law the practice endorsed by the national study.
Even as oncologists from around the country rec...
June 14, 2008
(PLEASANT HILL) – The Governor´s budget cuts to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) would devastate thousands of families and hurt the economy by reducing hours and jobs for many health care workers employed by the valuable safety net program, Democratic legislators said today.
Joining sen...
June 13, 2008
Local group wants to stop bill that demands information for terminal patients despite findings in clinical study.
Sacramento – A study released by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists is posing a public relations problem for a group of California cancer doctors opposed to a bill tha...
June 13, 2008
Court grants Raley's store temporary order; citizens say order limits free speech rights of recall proponents of Suisun mayor, city council members.
SUISUN CITY, CA – Volunteers with Save Our Suisun – circulating a ballot measure to recall the mayor and two other members of the Suisun City Coun...
June 12, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation to implement a 10-year solar rebate program for local residents, businesses and non-profits. It is the first solar rebate of its kind and size made available by a city in the country and will create the nation´s larges...
June 12, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee today unanimously approved legislation to allow greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies.
Senate Bill 1696, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), would prohib...
June 12, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California taxpayers could lend a helping hand to fund cancer research simply by checking a box on their state income tax forms under a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) that was approved today by the Senate Revenue & Taxation Committee on a 6-1 vote.
The ...
June 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO: SB 1178, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), passed a key test in the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions today, receiving the unanimous support of committee members. The measure is closely related to SB 252, which Senator Aanestad authored last year. Governor S...
June 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 5-1 vote, the Assembly Public Safety Committee today approved legislation to protect domestic violence victims from the threat of incarceration when they refuse to testify against their abuser in court. Senate Bill (SB) 1356, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Franci...
June 10, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today voted in favor of the Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act (H.R. 6028), a U.S. counter-narcotics assistance package for Mexico and Central America to help reduce the flow of illegal dr...
June 10, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) was passed unanimously by the Senate Committee on Government Organization, benefiting non-profits, the wine industry, and Napa County restaurants.
"Good wine, good food, and good works mean a lot to California...
June 10, 2008
As Early as This Week, the U.S. House is Expected to Vote on Stand Alone Legislation to Extend Unemployment Benefits to Nearly 702,000 Californians Struggling Under the Bush Economy.
• Jobless Rate Jumps to 5.5 percent in May from 5 percent in April, the largest monthly increase since 1986...
June 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO- In a move welcomed by all central Orange County residents, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 2906, the Orange County Traffic Relief Act of 2008, authored by Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa).
"This bill will be a dramatic benefit to commuters in central Orange Co...
June 09, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack´s (CA-45) legislation that would preserve over 190,000 acres of scenic desert, forest, and river areas throughout California's 45th District. Broadly supported by local community leaders, elected of...
Hearing on California Credit Crisis & Impact on California Students Access to Higher Educaition Held
June 09, 2008
Sacramento – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee along with the Assembly Higher Education Committee heard testimony today at an informational hearing regarding the current crisis in the student loan markets and its impacts on access to higher education for Ca...
June 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Transportation Committee today approved several local transportation bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo). Yee´s legislation would protect San Francisco pedestrians by creating a double fine zone along the deadly 19th Avenue corridor (SB 1...
June 09, 2008
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, the City´s chief prosecutor, filed a civil law enforcement action Thursday against Time Warner Cable Inc. alleging that following the company´s 2006 take-over of almost all cable services in the City of Los Angeles, the company en...
June 08, 2008
Safe Neighborhoods Act will address the growing gang problem in California.
SACRAMENTO – State Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley), Mike Reynolds (father of Three Strikes) and San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt today announced that Secretary of State Debra Bowen has qualified a s...
June 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today announced he will not step foot on a University of California (UC) campus, besides to join worker picket lines, until the 20,000 patient care and service workers represented by AFSCME Local 3299 are guaranteed a fair contract.
"...
June 07, 2008
San Francisco, CA. – Mayor Newsom again today continued his commitment to ending chronic homelessness as Project Homeless Connect kicked off its 22nd installment of the Mayor´s innovative approach and designated national best practice of linking the city´s homeless community to the esse...
June 06, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. this week announced a plan to create an online prescription drug database so that authorized doctors and pharmacies can stop drug dealers and addicts who collect dangerous narcotics from multiple doctors.
"Every year thousands of docto...
June 06, 2008
SACRAMENTO: SJR 23 from Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) passed another key legislative test with flying colors, getting a unanimous vote of approval from the Assembly Education Committee. The measure urges Congress to reauthorize and fund the federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Det...
June 06, 2008
Sacramento -- Senator Alan Lowenthal, Chair of the Senate Transportation & Housing Committee, today released a 27-page report identifying the potential benefits and risks of high-speed rail in California.
The comprehensive report is the result of two days of oversight hearings held by the Comm...
June 06, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate Budget Committee yesterday wrapped up its work on the state´s 2008-09 fiscal plan by adopting a prison reform package that would save $531 million in the first year and more in following years by directly discharging non-violent prisoners, after they serve their sente...
June 06, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom unveiled the draft Better
Streets Plan, a comprehensive set of guidelines to help transform San
Francisco´s streets, sidewalks, and open spaces into green, safe,
convenient and enjoyable public spaces. The plan reflects a 15-month-long
process of exte...
June 06, 2008
SAN JOSE, CA – A major organized retail crime ring in the Bay Area has been broken up, thanks to a three-year partnership by the San Jose Police Department, US Attorney´s office, Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Safeway and other retailers. Today, Senator Leland Yee ...
June 06, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) announced a federal grant approved for SunLine Transit Agency. The $195,499 grant, awarded by the Department of Transportation´s Federal Transit Administration, will help SunLine purchase replacement buses, as well as continue research o...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO: Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 95 passed the final step in the legislative process after receiving unanimous support on the Senate Floor during session on Monday. The measure, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), designates the month of September 2008 as Prostate Cancer...
Legislation to Protect Our Communities from Sexually Violent Predators Passed by the Assembly with O
May 30, 2008
Sacramento–California State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced that his measure to protect our communities from sexually violent predators passed the State Assembly on an overwhelming bipartisan vote 77 to 0.
"I am very pleased that my colleagues in the Assembly supported AB 2408 with all aye ...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Assembly Bill 2911 by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to strengthen the state´s ability to rescue and treat wildlife contaminated in oil spills passed from the Assembly Floor on a 50-26 vote.
"Because swift treatment is critical to the survival of oiled wildlife, these anim...
May 30, 2008
STOCKTON--California Department of Justice special agents, in partnership with the Stockton Police Department, arrested members of the violent Norteno street gang, which terrorized Stockton with drive-by shootings and crystal methamphetamine trafficking at the direction of the Nuestra Familia prison...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – A recent controversy regarding "quick pick" ticket processing at horse tracks, now appears to be just the latest in a long history of dubious incidents involving Scientific Games – the company that processes bets at California tracks as well as many other venues across the country inclu...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced environmental legislation passed the California Assembly.
AB 1851 will certify voluntary carbon off-sets at the retail level in California meet clear standards, consistent protocols and have a recognizable stamp of approval by an ...
May 30, 2008
Sacramento — Assemblyman Jeffries´ AB 1954 unanimously passed out of the Assembly Floor (73-0) with bi-partisan support. If approved by Senate and signed by the Governor, AB 1954 will authorize the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) to develop and administer a system of to...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The State Assembly voted 41-31 yesterday to approve Assembly Bill 1806 by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to protect the declining fisheries in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The legislation requires the development of protocols to guide preparation and implementation of emerg...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s (D-Newark) bill to extend the time newborns can be safely surrendered from 72 hours to seven days easily passed the state Assembly tonight on a 59-3 bi-partisan vote.
"I am convinced passing this law will save the lives of more newbo...
May 30, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the receipt of a $1 million California Energy Commission (CEC) grant to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to build the City´s first pilot grease-to-biodiesel production facility.
The facility will be sited at the SFP...
May 30, 2008
(Burlingame, CA) Health experts and environmental leaders exposed Chevron, Phillip Morris, Blue Cross, and toxic chemical manufacturers as the source of money for a last minute smear campaign to defeat Democrat Richard Holober in the 19th Assembly District race.
Voters have received two mailers ...
May 30, 2008
(Sacramento) Landmark legislation authored by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) passed out of the Assembly on a vote of 43-22. AB 1879 would provide authority to the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to regulate the sale of products containing chemicals known to be hazardous to ...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO - The state Assembly approved a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to provide greater protections for tenants facing eviction as a result of foreclosure and to double the amount of time renters have to find new housing. The bill passed on a 43 to 26 vote.
T...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Customers of catered events can choose to either take home any leftover food or donate it to a worthy cause, according to a proposed law approved yesterday by the state Senate.
Sponsored by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, the measure would require restaurants, caterers, hotels and ...
May 30, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate passed legislation today by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) to provide California´s courts $5 billion in much-needed improvements to ensure they can operate safely and effectively.
SB 1407, approved on a 28-8 bipartisan vote, authorizes the issua...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – At a hearing today in Sacramento, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5, which oversees transportation funding, voted party-line to cut back the California Department of Transportations´ (Caltrans) ability to contract out the services of engineering companies when necessary. In ...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – At a hearing today in Sacramento, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5, which oversees transportation funding, voted to cut back the California Department of Transportations´ (Caltrans) ability to contract out the services to engineering companies when necessary. In doing so, t...
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO -- Assembly Republicans today voted in lockstep against a plan advanced by Assembly Democrats to provide assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure.
AB 2509, authored by Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani (D-Livingston), was passed by a 45-26 vote, with all "no" votes from Republicans....
May 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO—Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) and Assemblywoman Audra Strickland (R-Camarillo) today joined forces to protect California´s children from lead in products intended for children under 12. The bipartisan effort passed the Assembly Floor on a vote of 56-6.
...
ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE FEUER'S BILL TO TRANSFORM LOS ANGELES' TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE PASSES ASSE
May 30, 2008
May 29, 2008 (Sacramento) Legislation by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) which would authorize the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) to place on the ballot an additional 0.5% sales tax for transportation funding passed the Assembly today on a vote of 47:25. AB 2321 wou...
May 29, 2008
SACRAMENTO – By a 42 to 31 vote, the toughest plastic bag reduction bill in the nation authored by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Woodland Hills) was passed by the California Assembly.
Assembly bill 2058 now goes to the California Senate for a vote.
"This measure is aimed at substantial...
May 29, 2008
Dying patients would have right to information under measure passed Wednesday.
SACRAMENTO — On a 41-32 vote, the California Assembly approved a bill giving terminally ill Californians the right to information about options available at the end of their lives. Assembly bill 2747 is joi...
May 29, 2008
GOP Legislators from Central Valley, Inland Empire, Southern California, Los Angeles Area Ignore Homeowners on the Brink of Losing Homes.
SACRAMENTO -- Assembly Republicans today voted in lockstep against a plan advanced by Assembly Democrats to provide assistance to homeowners facing fore...
May 27, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Assembly passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, to help California´s wine industry educate consumers and market its wines in an increasingly competitive business environment.
Asse...
May 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar), today voted against legislation that would give taxpayer-funded food stamps to drug felons, including traffickers, manufacturers and dealers.
"I am outraged and dismayed that Assembly Democrats approve of giving food stamps to drug felon...
May 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Election Day poll workers could receive training online under a "21st Century" measure approved by the California Senate today.
Sponsored by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, Senate Bill 1749 calls for improved training for election poll workers and allow greater flexibility by allow...
May 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) announced her landmark legislation, AB 2342, which would place the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley in statute, has moved an important step forward, passing out of the State Assembly today. The bill now goes to the State Senate....
May 27, 2008
Sacramento, Calif., May 27, 2008 – Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) and Assemblyman Todd Spitzer (R-Orange) are one step closer to delivering a promise to grant property tax relief to homeowners who lost everything in last summer´s California wildfires. Assembly Bill (AB) 1759, a measure de...
May 27, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation authored by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would establish advertising standards for greenhouse gas credits passed the Senate today on a bipartisan 31-7 vote.
SB 1762 is the nation´s first "truth in advertising standards" for claims associa...
May 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – On a bipartisan 30-4 vote, the California Senate approved legislation expected to help rehabilitate incarcerated juveniles and reduce recidivism. The Family Communication and Youth Rehabilitation Act, authored Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), allows greater communication ...
May 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Motorists cited for high blood-alcohol levels could more easily be required to install breathalyzers in their vehicles, according to a Sen. Jenny Oropeza bill approved on a bipartisan, 37-0 vote yesterday by the California Senate.
"California currently is among the most lenient of s...
May 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) announced the passage of AB 2219 out of the Assembly yesterday. The bill now heads to the State Senate. Assemblymember Parra introduced AB 2219 to encourage the incorporation of greater water conservation measures into developments to help Calif...
May 23, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Governor´s budget cuts will prevent thousands of children from attending summer school and hurt state efforts to meet its high education standards, Senators Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said yesterday.
The two senators joined school offici...
May 23, 2008
SAN DIEGO--California Attorney General Brown shut down a team of scam artists that acquired deeds to hundreds of homes in foreclosure by convincing desperate consumers to place their property in a "land grant," a phony and worthless real estate document.
Federal Land Grant Company—a San Di...
May 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Roy Ashburn announced that a key measure to help alleviate the critical shortage of nurses in California has passed the Senate.
Senate Bill 1620 will address the shortage of nursing instructors in community colleges by removing restrictions that inhibit the hiring and reten...
May 23, 2008
(Sacramento) – Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) announced that Assembly Bill 2872 failed to pass Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill would have allowed under-funded counties to keep additional property tax revenue needed for county services. The bill would bring funding fairness to und...
May 23, 2008
(SACRAMENTO)–Thousands of LGBT registered domestic partners faced a heartening legal conundrum last week in the wake of the California Supreme Court´s decision affirming the right of same-sex couples to marry: can we marry if we´re already legally linked as domestic partners?
According to an oral...
May 23, 2008
Sacramento: On Thursday, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) succeeded in having three out of four of his bills be moved off the "Suspense File" and pass out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee is charged with examining the potential fiscal impact of pro...
May 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – In what started as one horse race bettor in San Mateo, California, noticing a statistical irregularity has now triggered a national investigation and scandal for an already volatile industry.
On May 3, 2008, a thoroughbred owner placed 1,300 - $1 "quick pick" bets at Bay Meadows ...
May 23, 2008
Irvine, Calif., May 23, 2008 – In response to last summer´s devastating fires that left many Southern Californians temporarily homeless and caused millions of dollars in damage, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) and Assemblyman Todd Spitzer (R-Orange) jointly authored a bill to grant propert...
May 23, 2008
San Francisco – Today, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) highlighted the disturbing presence of professional recycling poaching rings in neighborhoods with curbside recycling services and called on the State Senate to pass her AB 1778, which cleared the Assembly floor by a vote 45-24 on Thurs...
May 23, 2008
Sacramento, California – The California marriage forms cannot be changed to include same-sex "marriages" until the numerous statutes determining marriage licenses and marriage procedures are changed, according to a leading West Coast pro-family organization that studies legislative process.
"The...
May 23, 2008
Sacramento, Calif., May 22, 2008 – Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) has brought fairness back to the table for people receiving parking tickets. The Parking Enforcement Bill (AB 602), an idea from a local constituent, was signed into law this week.
This new law prohibits the agency that iss...
May 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a $6 million settlement with MCM Construction, resolving allegations that the company was operating diesel cranes, pile drivers, and other portable engines without the required air district pollution permits.
"The compan...
May 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta´s declining fisheries won the approval of the State Assembly´s Appropriations Committee yesterday. The bill will be heard next week on the Assembly Floor.
Wolk´s Assembly B...
May 21, 2008
SAN DIEGO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced a "groundbreaking settlement" with Merck & Co. which requires the pharmaceutical manufacturer to obtain Federal Drug Administration approval before running any television drug advertisements for new pain medications.
"Merck&acu...
May 21, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) introduced legislation (H.R. 6085) that would commemorate the life and achievements of President Gerald R. Ford by naming the Rancho Mirage Post Office, near the Ford residence, the Gerald R. Ford Post Office.
"President Gerald R. Ford was...
May 21, 2008
SACRAMENTO – As a result of a recently uncovered controversy regarding wager systems at horse racing tracks across the state and nation, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) requested the State Auditor to investigate and determine the cost to California consumers and taxpayers.
On May 3...
May 21, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced Tuesday the introduction of Assembly Joint Resolution 140, a measure to commemorate June 2008 as College and Career Pathways Month to recognize the importance of career technical education.
"One of our economy´s greatest re...
May 21, 2008
SAN DIEGO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. released the results of an investigation into allegations of "a corrupt course of action" that San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre leveled against San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. The department concludes that the record does not support the ...
May 21, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced a tentative agreement with the Municipal Executives´ Association (MEA) which represents over 900 of the City´s management employees that will generate budget savings of nearly $4 million in the upcoming fiscal year, and an additional...
May 21, 2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Californians recycled a record 14.7 billion beverage containers in 2007, 1.5 billion more bottles and cans than in 2006, according to the state Department of Conservation. As a result, the annual recycling rate for California Refund Value aluminum, glass and plastic containers ...
May 22, 2008
Legislation would reduce diesel costs, lowering prices for consumers and incentivizing clean diesel technology.
May 22, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today praised House passage of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act of 2007, H.R. 4841. The bill, introduced by Bono Mack last year, would resolve an ongoing lawsuit over water resources in Riverside County and create new sources ...
May 22, 2008
Introduce Resolution to Support Prevention of Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse Among Children, Youth and Young Adults.
May 22, 2008
(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Lee today introduced a resolution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the New Deal.
The New Deal Resolution highlights the enormous social and economic contributions of President Franklin D. Roosevelt´s New Deal programs and calls for the recogni...
May 22, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today voted to override the Presidential veto on the 2008 Farm Bill, which included a provision introduced by Bono Mack to ensure country-of-origin labeling (C.O.O.L.) for fresh meats and produce.
"Consumers deserve to know where the foo...
May 21, 2008
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Cliff Numark, Tim Goodrich and Pat Furey for Torrance City Council in the June 3, 2008 election.
"The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters is proud to endorse and support Cliff Numark, Tim Goodrich and Pat Fure...
May 20, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee and Assemblymember Ted Lieu, Chair of the Assembly Rules Committee today announced the release of the California Research Bureau´s Report titled, "Foreclosures in California-The current housing crisis i...
May 20, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford) was selected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention during a selection process held by the California Democratic Party this weekend. Parra was selected as a "Party Leader/Elected Official" (PLEO) delegate for the National Conventi...
May 20, 2008
SACRAMENTO – In a state frequently plagued with wildfires, floods and earthquakes, the ability of emergency services to reach limited English speakers could be the difference between life and death.
Under a bill carried by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) the needs of LEP p...
May 20, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would establish an interagency team overseeing the state´s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to climate change today passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.
"Climate change i...
May 20, 2008
Sacramento – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security announced that his bill, AB 1946, to provide Regional Water Quality Control Boards more power to pursue polluters and to protect emergency responders passed the State Assembly today.
...
May 17, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) was designated by Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) to serve as the next Chair of the State Assembly Budget Committee.
"I look forward to this opportunity to serve the citizens of the State of California and thank Speaker Karen Bas...
May 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) assumed her responsibilities yesterday as an officer in the leadership of newly-elected California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles). Bass is the first African-American woman in the nation to lead a legislative body.
Saldaña, who c...
May 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed into law the Assemblyman´s measure to authorize the use of two-way video conferencing technology in the courtroom to examine sick or infirm witnesses. AB 1158, which passed unanimously ...
May 17, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – Yesterday, the State Assembly passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to codify existing consumer expectations on winery picnic areas and tasting rooms.
Sponsored by the Wine Institute, a trade association of over 1,000 California wineries and a...
May 16, 2008
(Sacramento, CA)—A leader in last year´s budget negotiations, Senator Abel Maldonado today commended the governor for rescinding his earlier threat to close forty eight state parks and reduce the number of lifeguards on state beaches. The first Republican to vociferously protest these cu...
May 16, 2008
Washington, DC – At a forum this morning organized by the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), ten veterans of the Iraq War provided gripping first person accounts of their time spent serving in combat operations. The veterans, who had served in the National Guard, the Army, and the Marines, sha...
May 16, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – California Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) reacted to the State Supreme Court´s historic marriage decision today. She participated in the case as amicus curiae with other legislators in a brief filed with the Court which argued in favor of the decisio...
May 16, 2008
"During San Francisco´s Winter of Love, I was proud to serve as a San Francisco Supervisor when San Francisco extended marriage rights to our City´s same-sex families. There was such incredible joy for these couples, to ensure that they were able to enjoy all the rights and responsibili...
May 16, 2008
SACRAMENTO – This week, Democrat members of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee voted down a measure that would have offered a limited exemption for biodiesel from the state excise tax and sent a clear message that California does not want to encourage the development of renewable fuels such...
May 16, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today announced the unanimous passage of Assembly Bill 2524, by a vote of 71-0, in the California State Assembly. Benoit´s legislation requires fingerprints and criminal background checks for prospective employees and contractors of th...
May 16, 2008
After considering a report by the Government Accountability Office assessing timelines and costs for two options for wastewater treatment, the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) has decided to upgrade the existing South Bay International Wastewater Trea...
May 16, 2008
Today, the California Supreme Court took a bold and important step forward to end discrimination in California. The Court´s ruling to grant same-sex couples the right to marry affirms the very best of what California stands for – and proudly continues our state´s long-standing commitment...
May 16, 2008
MERCED – Senate Bill 1133, authored by State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), was stalled on the Senate Floor today. The vote was 16 Senators in favor of the measure and 21 in opposition, however Denham was granted permission to bring it up for reconsideration sometime over the next two weeks.
SB...
May 16, 2008
Sacramento-Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services & Homeland Security recently introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 106, requesting that social networking and video sites combat the proliferation of violent, criminal and inappropriate content and limit acc...
May 14, 2008
Amendment to "Merida Initiative" Would Have Blocked Funds Until Corruption in Mexico Brought Under Control.
May 14, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today praised Committee passage of her conservation bill in the House Committee on Natural Resources. Bono Mack´s legislation, H.R. 3682, the California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act, would preserve desert, forest, and river areas thr...
May 14, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The Senate Health Committee passed Assembly Bill (AB) 16 authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to require health plans and insurers to cover the cost of vaccinating young women against the virus causing cervical cancer.
Last year, Evans authored AB 1429 which i...
May 14, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The following is a statement from Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, on the release of the Governor´s May Revise budget proposal.
"It is encouraging to see the Governor join with Democrats in wanting to balance the budg...
May 14, 2008
Sacramento – Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R – Lancaster) issues the following statement regarding Governor Schwarzenegger´s May Revise of the 2008-2009 state budget proposal.
"I am glad Governor Schwarzenegger now proposes a budget that more accurately reflects the values of Californians ...
May 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today issued the following statement in response to Governor Schwarzenegger´s May budget revisions:
"There are a number of commendable decisions that the Governor made in his budget revisions, as we all work hard to tackle a now-$1...
May 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO– Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) issued the following statements about the Governor´s May Revision:
"First and foremost, I am glad to see the Governor has met the Prop 98 minimum and increased education spending beyond his January proposal. I am also pleased to hear the Governor...
May 14, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) made the following remarks today about the Governor´s May Revision to the state spending plan for 2008-09.
"This budget and its reasoning, candidly, is very disappointing. It´s really a budget that is beneath this great...
May 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) says he´s disappointed with the May budget revision plan released today in Sacramento, and predicts the spending plan will only lead to greater deficits in future budget years. Aanestad says he was prepared to support a budget that cuts spendin...
May 14, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Van Tran, R-Costa Mesa, today called the Governor´s "May Revise" budget plan a mixed bag, saying there are both positive improvements over January´s proposal but also areas of concern. Tran also pointed out that the deficit continues to grow and urgent action mu...
May 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is urging a state Senate budget subcommittee to restore $18.5 million in funding for a rural law enforcement program that provides $500,000 a year in grant funding to 37 California counties, including all 12-counties in Northern California´s 4t...
May 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) to help two local San Mateo County communities are quickly moving through the legislative process.
The Senate Governmental Organization Committee today unanimously approved Senate Bill (SB) 1527 which allows the sta...
May 13, 2008
SAN DIEGO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that the San Diego Airport is taking "a key leadership role" in the fight against global warming by agreeing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its major airport expansion.
"Under this agreement, the San Diego airpor...
May 13, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the introduction of a bond proposal that will ensure the continued operations of San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (SFGH). The Department of Public Health (DPH) is proposing an $887.4 million general obligation bond measure on th...
May 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO – A bill that would ensure protected Public Trust Lands remain out of the hands of private developers has passed out of the State Assembly.
Assembly Bill 1832 would repeal statues that, in violation of constitutional prohibitions, allowed cities to grant state tidelands to the U.S. G...
May 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has selected Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to serve as Assembly Majority Floor Leader.
Torrico, the son of immigrants from Bolivia, is in his second term. He represents the 20th Assembly District, which includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties...
May 13, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom today praised the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission´s (SFPUC) decision to authorize new projects that will create at least five megawatts of new solar energy generation at City-owned facilities. When completed, the new projects atop the newly seis...
May 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Orange County is one step closer to receiving $100 million from the California Corrections Standards Authority (CSA) for its proposed jail and re-entry project.
Highly anticipated construction funding recommendations were announced last week by the CSA's Executive Steering Committee....
May 13, 2008
Sacramento— On Thursday, May 8th, AB 1852 by Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) passed the Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support. This measure will decriminalize participation in sports betting pools, which under current law is a misdemeanor or felony offense, punishable by u...
May 13, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Joined by members of the Small Business Commission, Mayor Newsom today announced the opening of the Small Business Assistance Center. The center will be lead by Director Brajah Norris and dedicated to serving the needs of small businesses in San Francisco with fewer than 100 emp...
May 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- As motorists prepare to hit the roads for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, more than 280 local police departments, along with regional task forces and the California Highway Patrol, will be hitting the streets as part of the statewide "Click It or Ticket" seat belt enforcemen...
May 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO – On an 8-2 vote the Senate Appropriations Committee today approved legislation expected to help rehabilitate incarcerated juveniles and reduce recidivism. The Family Communication and Youth Rehabilitation Act, authored Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), allows greater commun...
May 13, 2008
MERCED —Senate Bill 1133, authored by State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), passed the Senate Appropriations Committee today on a 8 to 5 vote.
SB 1133 would require the California Science Center to sell the parcel of land occupied by the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Los Angeles ...
May 13, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senate Bill 1663, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), passed the Senate Appropriations Committee today on a 14 to 0 vote.
SB 1663 would allow farmers and agricultural businesses to more easily recycle their used tires or tires that are illegally dumped on their properti...
May 09, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senate Bill 1686, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), passed the Senate yesterday during a 34 to 0 Floor vote.
SB 1686, co-authored by Senator Gloria Romero (D-East Los Angeles), proposes that if a person, company or organization directs or knows that a petition gathere...
May 09, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) praised House passage of H.R. 1512, which would amend the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) to authorize reimbursements to States and local governments for costs associated with the incarceration of illegal aliens charged – rather...
May 09, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom today joined Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) General Manager Ed Harrington to announce a new $8 mil...
May 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO –Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today announced the California State Assembly´s unanimous approval, by a vote of 65-0, of Assembly Bill 2724, his measure to crack down on the metal thieves who continue to ravish public and private property in our communities and throug...
May 09, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – The State Assembly unanimously approved legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to help non-profit organizations organize fundraising events involving wine donated from California´s wine industry.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1964 passed with a 74-0 vote....
May 09, 2008
Sacramento–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced today that his legislative initiative to protect victims, witnesses, and our communities from sexually violent predators passed the State Assembly on a unanimous bipartisan vote 74 to 0.
"I am very pleased that my colleagues in the Assembly pas...
May 09, 2008
Sacramento – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security announced that his bill, AB 1946, to provide district attorney´s more power to pursue polluters and to protect emergency responders passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
...
May 09, 2008
REDWOOD CITY—Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (San Francisco/San Mateo) and San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill today released results of a San Mateo audit that found registered sex offenders at a child care and foster care facility in the county and announced plans to improve state law and local pra...
May 09, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – A bill by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) requiring insurance companies to provide appropriate and equitable coverage to patients with autism spectrum disorders passed the Senate today on a 33-to-1 vote.
SB 1563 requires the Department of Managed Health Care, in ...
May 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that Jiffy Lube International has improved its operations to ensure that oil and antifreeze is properly contained at its local oil change facilities.
"Some employees were not regularly inspecting their storage containers...
May 07, 2008
By FELICITY BARRINGER
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Gavin Newsom is competitive about many things, garbage included. When the city found out a few weeks ago that it was keeping 70 percent of its disposable waste out of local landfills, he embraced the statistic the way other mayors embrace winnin...
May 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO–On a 4-1 bipartisan vote, the Senate Local Government Committee today approved legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to enable cities in California to save money and time on public construction projects using the efficient design-build process.
Under Wolk´s Assembly B...
May 06, 2008
RICHMOND-- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced a "major expansion" of California´s DNA laboratory and database, preparing the state to begin collecting DNA samples from every felony arrestee beginning January 1, 2009.
"Today's major expansion of the state laboratory p...
May 06, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced that the Senate on Thursday unanimously passed Assembly Bill 1158, Benoit´s elder abuse testimony bill, by a vote of 35-0. Benoit´s bill, authorizing the use of two-way video conferencing technology in the courtroom to ...
May 06, 2008
Legislation will increase the property tax exemption for disabled vets.
May 06, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Newsom announced a $250,000 reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of Terrell Rogers that occurred on January 12, 2008 in the parking lot across the street from the gymnasium of Sac...
May 06, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of Congress are being asked to state whether or not they support a temporary suspension of the federal tax on gasoline as a response to soaring gas prices. Below is a statement by 29 members of the House of Representatives unequivocally rejecting the idea. The Democrati...
May 06, 2008
RIVERSIDE--Following a ten-month investigation, California Department of Justice special agents today arrested Dr. Wesley Albert, 78, in Lake Elsinore for writing large quantities of prescription drugs which led to an individual's death in Riverside last year.
"Prescription drugs are extremely p...
May 06, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom initiated an informal challenge to the 2007 Census population estimate for the City and County of San Francisco based on a recent report that estimates there are 864,515 people living in San Francisco – almost 100,000 more than the estimated 764,976. Filing thi...
May 02, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO--After a thorough investigation that included reviewing prior investigations conducted by the Santa Clara County Sheriff´s and District Attorney´s Offices and conducting its own independent investigation, the California Department of Justice ("DOJ") announced today that it ...
May 01, 2008
SACRAMENTO – An effort that began four years ago to create a double fine zone along the deadly 19th Avenue corridor in San Francisco is one significant step closer to becoming law. On a bipartisan 21-13 vote, the California Senate today approved Senate Bill 1419, legislation authored by Senator Lel...
May 01, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) introduced the Charitable Aid To Community Heroes (CATCH) Act, H.R. 5930, which would help ensure that contributions collected by charitable organizations reach the families of individuals who are killed or injured while serving to protec...
May 01, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom heralded preliminary data indicating 734 local employers have selected the Healthy San Francisco program as the healthcare choice for their employees. These employers have committed almost $6 million toward healthcare expenditures for their employees, be...
May 01, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Assembly, by a vote of 61-1, approved Assembly Bill 1976, legislation by Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) that strengthens fines for fraudulent 911 telephone calls. Assemblyman Benoit obtained and released recordings of actual 911 calls made by p...
May 01, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Health Committee voted 6-3 to approve and send to the Senate floor SB 1713, the "Toxin-Free Toddlers and Babies Act," by Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/North Bay).
The bill bans any detectable level of the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) from all toys and child c...
May 01, 2008
Portantino, CSU faculty and students hold press conference to advocate for a true conservative approach to solving state´s budget deficit.
May 01, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) joined families of organ and tissue donors and organ transplant recipients at the State Capitol to highlight the success of the Donate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry, which has signed up over three million Californians who have...
April 30, 2008
(Sacramento) – Assemblyman Guy Houston´s (R-San Ramon) legislation aimed at preventing online harassment passed through the Senate Public Safety Committee. Assembly Bill 919, the Internet Stalking Bill, is designed to protect citizens from stalking, harassment and other abuse over the internet...
April 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security announced the passage of Assembly Bill 38, legislation that will create a new Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security by consolidating two state agencies, the Office of Eme...
April 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced that the Senate Public Safety Committee unanimously passed Assembly Bill 1158, Benoit´s elder abuse testimony bill. Benoit´s bill will authorize the use of two-way video conferencing technology in the courtroom to exami...
April 30, 2008
Sacramento, CA – AB 278, a bill by Assemblyman Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) was held in the Senate Public Safety Committee due to the possibility that it could place more criminals in state prisons.
AB 278 would have expanded the scope of existing law relating to false compartments used in vehicle...
April 30, 2008
Senators OK plan to allow customers to either take home their catered food or have it donated to benefit others.
April 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Families of organ and tissue donors joined organ transplant recipients at the State Capitol on April 30 to formally thank lawmakers, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the three million Californians who have pledged to save and heal lives by signing up on the state-autho...
April 28, 2008
SACRAMENTO—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced a new DNA search policy that will improve the ability of local law enforcement to investigate unsolved violent crimes by providing new investigative leads.
"California will help local law enforcement catch violent crimina...
April 28, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) today spoke out in support of Senate Bill 1137 authored by Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland). Unlike Perata´s Senate Bill 926, this improved foreclosure bill was a measure Denham was proud to support. SB 1137 passed the Senate by...
April 28, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senate Concurrent Resolution 88, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), passed the Senate today by a 38 to 0 vote This measure encourages the California education system to partner with business leaders to train students in 21st century skills to compete in today´s global ...
April 28, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senate Bill 1204, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), passed the Senate today by a 38 to 0 vote. This measure would allow state and local agencies to offer the option of electronic filing of the "Statements of Economic Interest" (SEI – Form 700) of elected and appointed offic...
April 28, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) providing immediate relief to homeowners caught in the mortgage crisis passed the Senate today.
"Californians need our help, and they need it urgently," Perata said. "It is in everyone´s best interest for lenders...
April 28, 2008
Measures Will Give Parents More Choices In Their Child´s Education.
April 28, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate Environmental Quality Committee today passed legislation authored by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would establish advertising standards for greenhouse gas credits.
SB 1762 is the nation´s first "truth in advertising standards" for claims ...
April 28, 2008
Bill aims to reduce unwarranted lawsuits and increase disabled access compliance.
April 28, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Five leading Senate Democrats today requested the Governor provide a plan within 30 days to coordinate all the administration´s efforts to build prison beds, manage its corrections department and limit prison population growth.
In a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, ...
April 28, 2008
Sacramento-Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services & Homeland Security introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 106, requesting that social networking and video sites combat the proliferation of violent, criminal and inappropriate content and limit access by ch...
April 25, 2008
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas for Los Angeles County Supervisor in the 2nd District. The endorsement came last night following a live debate between Ridley-Thomas and Councilmember Bernard Parks, the two front runner...
April 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), the author of California´s law attempting to prohibit the sale of extremely violent video games to minors, today urged parents to avoid purchasing the latest graphically violent video game – Grand Theft Auto (GTA) IV – scheduled for ...
April 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and the Assembly´s representative on the California Ocean Protection Council announced that his AJR 49 calling on the United States Congress, the President, and the California Fish ...
April 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced today that Earl Greif, a Rancho Mirage resident and Holocaust survivor, will be honored at a ceremony in the State Capitol Monday as part of the Holocaust Memorial Project commemorated each year during April´s Holocaust Memori...
April 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The US Senate was expected to vote today on the Filipino Veterans Equity Act, federal legislation to reinstitute benefits stripped from Filipino WWII veterans sixty-two years ago by the 1946 Rescission Act. The benefit, which includes healthcare, disability pensions, and burial expense...
April 23, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. attacked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration´s new fuel economy rules, calling them "a covert assault" on California´s landmark tailpipe greenhouse gas regulations.
"This fuel economy plan, while attractive o...
April 23, 2008
Sacramento, CA (April 22, 2008) –Assemblyman Bob Huff´s budget reform legislation died in the Assembly Budget Committee this week along party lines with a 10-12 vote. AB 1838 would have designated certain state departments to implement a zero-based budgeting method to better scrutinize and jus...
April 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The State Assembly´s Judiciary Committee voted 10-0 today to support legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to require healthcare providers throughout the state to honor a new mechanism by which patients´ can provide specific instructions for their end-of-life care. ...
April 23, 2008
SACRAMENTO –Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today announced the Assembly Appropriation Committee´s unanimous approval of Assembly Bill 2724, his measure to crack down on the metal thieves who continue to ravish public and private property in our communities and throughout the Stat...
April 23, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) to increase workers´ compensation benefits for people who suffer an injury on the job leaving them permanently disabled today passed the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.
The measure, SB 1717, ...
April 23, 2008
AB1251 Corrects A Small Discrepancy That Existed Regarding Prize Claim Timeframes & Maintains Supplemental Education Funding MEGA Millions Generates For The State.
April 22, 2008
(Burlingame, CA) Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi has announced his endorsement of Democrat Richard Holober for the 19th State Assembly District in San Mateo County. The primary election is scheduled for June, 2008.
John Garamendi stated, "When I served as State Insurance Commissioner, I worke...
April 21, 2008
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today addressed concerns about the housing market at the Foreclosure Prevention Community Workshop. Bono Mack worked with the Fair Housing Council to bring the workshop to the Coachella Valley. The free event, hosted by the Fair Housing Counc...
April 21, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Despite the hectic schedules and hurdles of the California Assembly's legislative calendar, Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) has scored a very successful last two weeks. All of his priority bills from his 2008 Legislative package passed out of their respective policy committees.
...
April 21, 2008
Yee´s legislation will protect battered women from threat of incarceration.
April 21, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senate Concurrent Resolution 86, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) passed today on the Senate Floor by a 38 to 0 vote. SCR 86 would encourage all high school social studies teachers to teach local county history to their students.
"I am pleased this resolution passed th...
April 21, 2008
Taxpayers could check a box on their tax form for Northern California Cancer Center Research Fund.
April 19, 2008
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, the City´s chief prosecutor, has announced his office has filed a civil law enforcement action on behalf of the People of the State of California against WellPoint, Inc., and two of its subsidiaries for engaging in unlawful and deceptiv...
April 19, 2008
As California faces a severe shortage of teachers, bi-partisan bill allows more educational institutions to offer teacher education programs that meet state´s rigorous teaching standards.
April 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Roy Ashburn today announced that two bills to help with the critical shortage of nurses in California have passed the Senate Education Committee.
Senate Bill 1620 will address the shortage of nursing instructors in community colleges by allowing more part-time instructor...
April 17, 2008
Uses existing bond funds to address risks climate change and Delta crisis pose to water supply.
April 17, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senate Bill 1347, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), passed the Senate Education Committee yesterday. This measure would allow the governing board of a school district to designate all, or a portion of, a field or landscaped area owned by the district to be used for general ...
April 17, 2008
Under funded Counties to receive funds for police and fire protection, and health services.
April 17, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – Yesterday, the Assembly Committee on Government Organization voted unanimously to pass legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to help non-profit organizations organize fundraising events involving wine donated from California´s wine industry.
A...
April 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, the Assembly Education Committee held a bill by Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) that would provide funding flexibility for school districts to fund their school busing operations. Assembly Bill 2290 would accomplish that by providing the option to school distric...
April 17, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Two education measures, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), passed the Senate Education Committee today both on a 9 to 0 vote.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 86 would encourage all high school social studies teachers to teach local county history to their students. This re...
April 17, 2008
ORANGE COUNTY— California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the arrest of an Orange County travel agent who sold more than $160,000 in "bogus travel packages" to senior citizens who wanted to visit Cuba for religious and cultural purposes.
"The suspect allegedly ripped o...
April 15, 2008
Emissions avoided by implementation of this program are estimated at 51 tons of CO2 per year.
April 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Motorists cited for high blood-alcohol levels could more easily be required to install breathalyzers in their vehicles, according to a Sen. Jenny Oropeza bill approved on a bipartisan voted today by the Senate Public Safety Committee.
"California currently is among the most lenient ...
April 15, 2008
Backroom efforts leaves Marine Corps/Berkeley bill one vote short in Transportation Committee.
April 15, 2008
First in the Nation Zero Energy Measure Would Dramatically Reduce Carbon Emissions from California Homes.
April 15, 2008
Sacramento – On Monday, the California State Assembly passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution 125 and recognized April as DMV/Donate Life California Month to encourage Californians to sign up with the Donate Life California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.
"I am thrilled that my fellow colleagues ...
April 15, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senator Jeff Denham´s (R-Merced) Senate Bill 1133 could provide our state some financial hope by ridding taxpayers of 152 acres of dilapidated and underused property – the LA Memorial Coliseum and the vacant Sports Center – and earn our state hundred of millions of dollars in t...
April 15, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senate Bill 1686, authored by Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), sailed through the Senate Public Safety Committee today on a 3-0 vote, with two amendments. Senator Gloria Romero (D-East Los Angeles) signed on as a co-author to SB 1686 during the committee hearing.
SB 1686 proposes...
April 15, 2008
Tran Hopes AB2871 Will Remind Americans, Young And Old, Of Our 16th President´s Passionate Opposition To Slavery And His Brave Pronouncement Of The Emancipation Proclamation.
April 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Today, the Assembly Public Safety Committee approved Assembly Bill 1976, legislation by Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) that strengthens fines for fraudulent 911 telephone calls.
"False 911 calls tie up emergency response lines, preventing genuine emergency calls from ...
April 15, 2008
Measure Will Set-up First of its Kind Mechanism for Certifying Sale of Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Off-Sets.
April 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava today announced that Assembly Bill 1960, which will provide increased authority to the Calfiornia Deparment of Conservation´s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) to ensure that all California based oil companies meet minimum operating st...
April 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Two bills by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help restore Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fisheries, and expand fishing and hunting opportunities in the Delta were both approved by the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee today.
Wolk´s Assembly Bill 2502, which pas...
April 15, 2008
A decades-old policy on what insurance companies must cover relies on outdated and incomplete scientific information that leaves many women without coverage for needed breast cancer screenings.
April 15, 2008
Sacramento, Calif. – Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) has found a voice in a most unlikely place – UC Berkley. The conservative lawmaker was featured in last week´s edition of Ecology Law Currents explaining the critical need for California to lift the ban on construction of modern, clean ...
April 15, 2008
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Senate Bill 562, legislation by North Coast Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) to designate nearly $5.3 million in urgent funding for coastal salmon and steelhead fisheries restoration projects.
SB 562 is an urgency measure, meaning th...
April 15, 2008
SANTA BARBARA--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a 74-count felony indictment against a former Santa Maria-Bonita School District official and three executives from TurnKey, a Temecula-based company, for misappropriating $3.6 million in public money for schools.
"...
April 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO – On a 33-1 bipartisan vote, the California Senate today approved legislation to allow greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies.
Senate Bill 1696, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), would prohibit a state or...
April 15, 2008
Sacramento, CA – Three pieces of Assemblyman Bob Huff´s illegal immigration legislative reform package died in the Assembly Public Safety Committee last week. AB 2418 would have denied bail to undocumented individuals charged with violent or gang-related felonies, AB 2422 would have required t...
April 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) has introduced legislation to increase the number of California children with healthcare while also saving the state millions of dollars.
SB 1459, which will be considered by the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday, would create the C...
April 15, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, that directs the state to assess the suitability of numerous state roadless lands in Northern California for wilderness designa...
April 15, 2008
Bill encourages use of rate structure that rewards consumers who conserve water.
April 10, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that Emirates Airlines will begin non-stop daily service from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to San Francisco International Airport beginning October 26, 2008.
Emirates Airline, based in Dubai, is one of the world´s fastest growing, i...
April 10, 2008
AB 1858 would withhold taxpayer subsidies of pensions for felons who embezzle from the public.
April 10, 2008
Ignition interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers will save lives in California.
April 10, 2008
Vote Comes on the Heels of New Report that Finds Workers & Employers in State Would Benefit from Law.
April 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today announced that his Small Business Family Scheduling Option (Assembly Bill 2127), legislation that would have given flexibility to hourly employees in California´s small businesses to alter their workweek schedules, was defeated on...
April 10, 2008
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) overwhelmingly voted to endorse State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas for Los Angeles County Supervisor, District 2, in the June 3, 2008 election to replace retiring Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.
"Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas is an extraordinar...
April 08, 2008
AB 2085 and AB 2086 rejected on party-line vote in Assembly Education Committee,despite strong showing of public support.
April 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Roy Ashburn was joined by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger along the banks of the American River in Sacramento yesterday where the two held a press conference in support of Ashburn´s state volunteers measure, Senate Bill 1345.
"Government has its job to do, but government...
April 08, 2008
1858 would stop subsidizing the retirements of felons who steal from taxpayers.
April 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO –Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today announced the Assembly Public Safety Committee´s unanimous approval of Assembly Bill 2724, his measure to crack down on the metal thieves who continue to ravish public and private property in our communities and throughout the Stat...
April 08, 2008
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement in advance of the Beijing Olympic torch pass through San Francisco:
"The public outcry against China human rights record and its hosting of this year´s Olympics has cast a shadow over the Bay Area´s d...
April 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Mortgage broker reform legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) passed from the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee on a 7-2 vote.
"This bill focuses on the mortgage brokers who have been the least regulated in California, and who have accounted for a large and growing share...
April 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA - Working families and their college-bound children would get the information they need to protect themselves from predatory student loans under a bill by Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) facing heavy banking industry opposition at 1:30 p.m. today in the Assembly...
April 08, 2008
(Sacramento) – Today, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee voted unanimously to approve Senate Bill 1323 by Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto). SB 1323 would revise the way the state appraises property that it purchases to ensure that the State pays the appropriate price.
"State resour...
April 08, 2008
Sacramento–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava, the Los Angeles District Attorney´s Office, the Peace Officers Research Association of California representing 61,000 peace officers throughout California, Crime Victims United of California, and the Humane Society USA held press a conference today a...
April 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO—Today, the Assembly Public Safety Committee, with a 5-1 vote, passed legislation, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), to create a database of convicted domestic violence felon and repeat offenders. The legislation, AB 1771-The Domestic Violence Prevention and Righ...
April 09, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Assembly Bills 2911 and 2912 by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), part of a package of legislation introduced by the Assembly in response to the Cosco Busan oil spill last November, passed from their first committee yesterday.
"Inland oil spills pose significant risk to the environm...
April 09, 2008
San Francisco, CA – The legislation required to implement the Market
Octavia Plan was approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on its
first reading today, paving the way for much anticipated new housing and
infrastructure improvements in the plan area. The Market Octavia Plan is a
cul...
April 09, 2008
(Sacramento) – Today, the Senate Public Safety Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 1302 authored by Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto). SB 1302 strengthens current laws regarding sex offenders by closing loopholes in sex offender laws and by ensuring that people convicted of the continuous sexu...
April 04, 2008
San Francisco, CA — Calling them individuals of "inspiration, courage and selflessness," Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the names of the individuals chosen by the City and County of San Francisco who will carry the Olympic Torch through the streets of San Francisco on April 9, pending appr...
April 04, 2008
Santa Barbara–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Santa Barbara District Attorney´s Office, the Surfrider Foundation and the Audubon Society held a press conference in Santa Barbara County today to announce two initiatives to go after the most egre...
April 04, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee voted this week to approve two bills by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help prepare for some of the state´s most critical water challenges.
"With California´s outdated water infrastructure, a dwindling snow pack, and...
April 03, 2008
WASHINGTON DC—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. went to federal court yesterday to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to release a court-mandated determination that greenhouse gases endanger public health or welfare. Such a determination of endangerment is the first s...
April 03, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) recently amended his Senate Bill 1347 to allow school districts to designate areas as "school park property," while limiting the school´s liability on this land.
"Currently, the law forbids a parent and child from flying a kite on a school fiel...
April 03, 2008
Sacramento –Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced that his legislation, Assembly Bill 1946, to provide district attorneys more power to pursue polluters passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee this week on a 7 to 3 vote.
"I am proud to be working with the California District Attorney´s Associ...
April 03, 2008
San Francisco, CA –Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the elimination of 301 city government positions. These job reductions will save an estimated $29 million in FY 08-09. Of the positions eliminated, 41 are administrative and management positions.
"We are facing some of the toughest decisions we have...
April 03, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Democrat members of the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted down a measure that would have required the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to screen and verify the immigration status of new incoming prisoners.
In a 2-4 vote with one member abstaining, the committee rej...
April 03, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Joined by community groups, faith leaders, and City department heads, Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor Tom Ammiano launched a public awareness campaign to promote San Francisco´s "sanctuary" policy for undocumented residents, and assure all residents that accessing city se...
April 03, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The Assembly Human Services Committee has passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) that will require the state to establish additional safeguards in the court approval process for prescribing psychotropic drugs to foster youth.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2117...
April 03, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) expressed her disappointment with a key legislative committee´s decision to hold four bills, including her own Assembly Bill 1908, to provide budget flexibility for the state´s struggling school districts.
In anticipation of unprecedented...
April 03, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Margett (R-Glendora) expressed frustration with the Senate Health Committee today after SB 1398 failed on a 4-5 vote. The measure, which had a bi-partisan coalition of support, would have required a person requesting a certified copy of a birth or death certificate to show a dri...
April 03, 2008
Legislation strengthens requirements for residential care facilities for elderly.
April 01, 2008
The Safe Neighborhoods Act will curb gang, gun, and street crime.
April 01, 2008
Sacramento – The State Senate gave final approval today to Senate Bill 562, legislation by North Coast Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) to designate nearly $5.3 million in urgent funding for coastal salmon and steelhead fisheries restoration projects.
The Assembly approved SB 562 on Marc...
April 01, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom submitted legislation to the Board of Supervisors to limit overtime. The legislation limits the amount of overtime an employee can work throughout the year and limits the total number of hours an employee can work in a single week. This legislation affec...
April 01, 2008
Sacramento, CA)— The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, to expedite court procedures determining the unsealing of documents so that the public´s right to know and privacy concerns are...
April 01, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and the legislature´s representative on the California Ocean Protection Council announced that his AJR 49 calling on the United States Congress, the President, and the California Fi...
April 01, 2008
SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assembly Member Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to give added protection to renters who are being forced out of their homes because their landlords´ properties are foreclosed, passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee 7-2 today. The bill now heads to the Assembly Utilities an...
April 01, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Democrats on the Assembly Human Services Committee today showed just how out of touch they are by rejecting a Republican-authored measure (Assembly Bill 2389, by Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes) that would mandate random drug tests for welfare recipients.
Even in the face...
March 31, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) recently co-authored Assembly Bill 2825, a consumer-protection measure by Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto). This legislation would require auto body repair businesses to provide customers with a signed statement certifying repairs or parts...
March 28, 2008
SACRAMENTO – This week 30 GOP Assemblymembers joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger´s call for President Bush to continue funding for National Guard troops assisting the Border Patrol in our nation´s frontline defense against terrorism and illegal traffickers. The letter was initiated b...
March 27, 2008
Senate Education Committee Gives Unanimous Approval to SJR 23.
March 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) expressed disappointment over the failure of his state volunteers bill, SB 1345 to pass the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. SB 1345 came up one vote short and was held in the committee on a 2-0 vote, with three votes from the five-me...
March 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Following Sunshine Week, a national initiative focusing on the importance of open government and freedom of information, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation to allow greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies.
Senate...
March 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield)has announced the passage in the Senate Transportation Committee of Senate Bill 1263. The meaasure will allow Amtrak to provide bus service to Frazier Park and the Mountain Communities by way of its Santa Clarita-to-Lebec "feeder bus" route. The bill ...
March 27, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to provide Californians more time to claim dormant, lost, forgotten, or abandoned bank accounts, insurance policies, safe deposit boxes, and other types of property before it is turned over to the state, passed its first hurdle yesterday, w...
March 27, 2008
Sacramento – Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R – Lancaster) announced that the Assembly Public Safety Committee passed Assembly Bill 2523, a bill that will protect children from predators engaged in child luring acts.
"AB 2523 is another necessary tool to aid law enforcement officials in fighting ...
March 27, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom visited the Sacramento Press Club yesterday to discuss his administration´s landmark universal healthcare plan, Healthy San Francisco, and to discuss the recent Governor-proposed and Legislature-approved cut of $1.1 billion in state funds from Medi-Cal (i...
March 26, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help local district attorneys investigate and prosecute elder abuse cases that occur in long-term care facilities was unanimously approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
"Every year hundreds of cases of physical abuse in Ca...
March 26, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation authored by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) to immediately help homeowners and tenants affected by the mortgage crisis and prevent neighborhoods afflicted with foreclosures from becoming areas of blight.
SB 1137 is...
March 26, 2008
Devore Bill Sails Out of Committee on Bipartisan Vote. The Proposed ALAN Alert is Named After a Sixteen Year Old Murder Victim Whose Killer Fled to Mexico to Avoid Prosecution.
March 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) has been named Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee by Sen. Republican Leader Dick Ackerman (R-Tustin) and Sen. Republican Leader-Elect Dave Cogdill (R-Fresno).
"Senator Dutton is a proven leader in the California State Legislature," said Rep...
March 25, 2008
Removes prevailing wage obstacle to volunteerism on state funded projects.
March 25, 2008
AB 2085 and AB 2086 will delete contentious section of Education Code and Require Parental Notification for Sensitive Topics.
March 25, 2008
BAKERSFIELD – Assemblymember Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford) joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in calling for budget reform.
"This is the toughest budget crisis that I have seen in my time as a State Legislator. California is facing a multi-billion deficit in the budget unless serious cuts are m...
March 25, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Yesterday, Senate Bill (SB) 344, authored by Senator Michael J. Machado (D-Linden), passed the State Senate on a 33-1 vote. The bill is now before Governor Schwarzenegger for his signature.
SB 344 is sponsored by State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and will help the state and local ...
March 25, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Yesterday, Senate Bill (SB) 1055 authored by Senator Michael J. Machado (D-Linden), passed the State Senate on a 34-0 vote.
SB 1055 will assist Californians whose lenders have forgiven a portion of their mortgage debt, by allowing these taxpayers to exclude the forgiven debt f...
March 25, 2008
Tunnel at Devil´s Slide likely to be named for late Congressman.
March 25, 2008
SB 1178 Protects Consumers From Convicted Sex Offenders.
March 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Republicans have announced a border security legislative package, which includes 20 common-sense measures they said would help the state secure the border and better protect Californians.
Assemblyman Benoit commented, "Our federal government is failing to protect our borders...
March 25, 2008
Legislation will protect battered women from threat of incarceration.
March 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) joins his Assembly Republican colleagues as they announced a border security legislative package which includes common-sense measures that would help the state secure the border and better protect Californians.
Among the measures introduced by As...
March 22, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom urged Governor Schwarzenegger to study health consequences before proceeding with aerial spraying to eradicate the light brown apple moth in California. In a letter to the Governor, Newsom asked for further review of the planned spraying before the State moves...
March 20, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Newsom was joined today at the Ferry Building by national nonprofit Food and Water Watch and local restaurant leaders who took the opportunity of U.N. World Water Day (March 22) to announce a new initiative to "Take Back the Tap" and urge local restaurants to follow the Cit...
March 20, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 2112, A landmark measure that would require both increased energy efficiency and onsite energy generation for new residential construction in California will be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee April 7th.
These types of developments – or Zero Net Energy...
March 20, 2008
SUISUN CITY, Ca. – Three members of the Suisun City Council – including the Mayor – were served with official notices to recall them during the city council meeting Tuesday night by a community group formed after the council ignored safety experts and approved a controversial Wal-Mart last month and...
March 19, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued Abbott Laboratories and French drug company Fournier for devising "an elaborate scheme" to block less expensive generic versions of TriCor, a drug that controls cholesterol.
"Through an elaborate scheme—involving multi...
March 19, 2008
LOS ANGELES—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. shut down Lifetime Financial, Nations Mortgage, Greenleaf Lending, Virtual Escrow, Olympic Escrow and Direct Credit Solutions, accusing the predatory lending companies of pushing homeowners into "illegal and unconscionable loans."
...
March 19, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Building a long-term strategy to develop Ocean Beach´s unique character is job one for the newly formed Ocean Beach Vision Council, announced Tuesday by Mayor Gavin Newsom. The Council brings together members of the sustainable planning and environmental design community with gov...
March 19, 2008
(Washington, DC) – As the nation enters the sixth year of the U.S. occupation in Iraq, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) has introduced a comprehensive package of legislation focused on offsetting the Iraq recession and fully funding the redeployment of U.S. troops and contractors from Iraq within on...
March 18, 2008
"Felonious Basketball Brackets are the Real March Madness" says Jeffries.
March 18, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Because of the tireless effort of Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) Riverside County has received more than $20.2 million in funds to implement local transportation projects as part of Proposition 1B that was passed by the voters in November 2006.
Proposition 1B was the $20 billi...
March 14, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO--Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today requested that the San Francisco Superior Court issue an injunction to prevent H&R Block from telling its customers that tax refunds can be obtained within two days, without disclosing that such payments are actually expensive loans.
"H&R...
March 14, 2008
Schools aren´t the only ones in need of funding equalization, Counties also suffer from outdated funding formulas .
March 14, 2008
Eight arrested, methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, hash, guns, U.S. currency seized.
March 14, 2008
Senator Supports Opportunity for Parents to Home School.
March 14, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In his 2nd Inaugural Address, Mayor Gavin Newsom pledged to offer new incentives for work, including tax breaks for small businesses that hire returning veterans and ex-offenders. Today, Mayor Newsom followed up on that pledge by unveiling new legislation that would provide a pay...
March 14, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – California´s 97 school districts that have not met the standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind Act would receive additional federal support and clear and uniform regulations to boost performance, under legislation by Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland)....
March 14, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Five Democratic state Senators sent a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Wednesday protesting decisions by the Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission to move forward with controversial "cap-and-trade" proposals as a way to limit greenhouse gas emissions...
March 14, 2008
Bill would raise money for senior services and increase elder abuse penalties.
March 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) today announced his newest sweeping political reform proposal which will include abolishing term limits for future legislators. The measure also includes themes that Ashburn has been advocating in recent years, including redistricting by way of a cit...
March 13, 2008
Budget Helps Rescue Faltering Economy and Rebuild America´s Infrastructure.
March 13, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gain Newsom´s HOPE SF Initiative reached a major milestone when the San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) Commission selected three development teams to revitalize the Sunnydale, Potrero Terrace and Annex, and the Westside Courts public housing sites. Together these ...
March 13, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom was joined yesterday by Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting and solar industry leaders to announce the immediate implementation of a solar rebate program that makes installation of solar panels more affordable for residents, businesses and non-profits. It represents t...
March 13, 2008
Sacramento – Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) made the following statement in reaction to the ruling by the Second District Court of Appeals last week with regard to home schooling:
"Parents have both the right and responsibility of being the primary educators of their children. This right nee...
March 13, 2008
Sacramento-Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services & Homeland Security and Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee introduced AJR 51, requesting that Congress scale back or repeal the federal Real ID Act of 2005.
"The Congress in 2005, without a heari...
March 10, 2008
Shotspotter system detects gunfire at a range of one to two miles away with sensors, alerting public safety officials to the location of gunfire within seconds.
March 10, 2008
Eight out of Eighteen Bills Authored by Jeffries Have Local Government Origin.
DeVore introduces bill that would prohibit agencies from using taxpayer dollars for political activi
March 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Seeking to increase transparency among public agencies and save taxpayer dollars, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R—Irvine) has introduced Assembly Bill 1992, the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2008. AB 1992 is sponsored by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Under current law, taxp...
March 10, 2008
Yee authors bill to allow communication between incarcerated youth and families.
March 10, 2008
(Sacramento) –Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) issued the following statement in reaction to the decision by the Second District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles requiring parents who home-school their children to obtain a teaching credential:
"The L.A. Appellate Court decision robs parents o...
March 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Roy Ashburn (R- Bakersfield) announced today that Senate Bill 692 to expand caregiver background checks passed the Senate by a vote of 36-0.
Under current California law, participants in the In-Home Social Services (IHSS) caregiver program for low income patients must be clea...
March 09, 2008
Publisher of San Fernando Valley Business Journal Honored For Her Business Leadership.
Sacramento - Assemblyman Mike Feuer has named San Fernando Valley Business Journal Publisher Pegi Matsuda as the Woman of the Year in the 42nd Assembly District. Ms. Matsuda will join honorees from each...
March 07, 2008
(Washington, DC) – Barbara Lee (CA-9), a Member of the House Appropriations State Foreign Operations Subcommittee, introduced a new resolution (H.R. 1028), to reassert the constitutional powers of Congress and make it clear that any agreement, other than a treaty, between Iraq and the United States ...
March 07, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that will enable the purchase of more alternative-fuel taxi cabs for use on San Francisco streets. The legislation will help the City meet its commitment to reducing green house gas emissions with a higher gate fee, which will allow taxi...
March 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) introduced Assembly Bill 2601, the Illegal Immigration Sanctuary City Ban, to cut off state funding for cities that actively undermine federal immigration enforcement. All funds withheld from sanctuary cities would go toward local police trai...
March 07, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, has announced the following appointments:
Senator Ellen Corbett, a Democrat from San Leandro, has been reappointed to the Standing Committee to the Judicial Council on Court Technology. She was elected to t...
March 07, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom kicked off Arbor Week by planting a special tree in honor of local artist Ruth Asawa at Webster and Grove Streets. San Francisco designates a special week every year to raise awareness about trees.
"Arbor Day is a time when we recognize the important role th...
March 05, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) congratulated the cities of Anaheim and Garden Grove for being among the first recipients to receive funding from the competitive Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention Grant Program. The grants are part of the state's $48 million California Gan...
March 05, 2008
Sacramento – State Assembly Member Pedro Nava announced that he has introduced a legislative resolution, ACR 106, declaring the week of April 14 as Teen Driving Safety Week in California.
"The need for action is obvious and the statistics are grim. Forty percent of all teen deaths are caused by ...
March 05, 2008
California Green Cities announces effort to reduce environmental impacts from operations.
March 05, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California Community Colleges named Higher Education Chair Anthony Portantino as a "Friend of California Community Colleges." Portantino received the award during the fourth annual California Community Colleges Legislative Reception in Sacramento. The Community Colleges recognized Port...
March 05, 2008
Legislation will address California´s increasing illegal immigration problem.
March 05, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Newsom announced today the following new
appointments to San Francisco´s Boards and Commissions:
Juvenile Probation Commission
Katharine M. Albright is the Executive Director of the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center (SFCAPC), an organization dedicat...
March 03, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman sued the United States Forest Service for adopting "illegal forest management plans" that permit road construction and oil drilling in California´s largest national forests.
"The United S...
March 03, 2008
Assembly Bill 3058 Would Require PUC Review of All DWR Energy Contract Renegotiations.
March 03, 2008
Legislation follows 2006 law that protects students to also protect teachers.
March 03, 2008
Sacramento, CA – California State Assemblymember Dr. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) has introduced several pieces of legislation for 2008 that cover a variety of issues, including retirement benefits, workers compensation, water, and health care.
"This is a comprehensive bill package designed to ad...
March 03, 2008
Tran Circulating Letter To Other State Lawmakers Asking Federal Officials To Continue Vital National Guard Border Operations.
March 03, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) introduced a package of bills to improve the state´s response to oil spills, including legislation requiring the state create a strategy to prevent and respond to oil spills in inland waters.
"Most Californians would be surprised to learn that...
March 03, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – On Thursday, Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 88. This measure encourages the California education system to partner with business leaders to train students in 21st century skills to compete in today´s global economy.
"Students need t...
March 03, 2008
Four ordinances will address the recent spate of violence outside nightclubs.
March 03, 2008
Sacramento – The Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization has approved Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 22, a measure by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) opposing two rule changes proposed by the United States Department of Treasury´s Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Friday's 11-0 vote...
March 03, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman has filed suit against the United States Forest Service for adopting "illegal forest management plans" that permit road construction and oil drilling in California´s largest national forests.
...
February 28, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the arrest of two physicians, three clinic administrators, and eleven assistants for luring pregnant women to a fake health clinic that fraudulently billed the state´s Medi-Cal program for at least $2 million.
"Th...
February 28, 2008
Recent Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Paid Time Off Law to Recover from Illness or Care for Sick Family Members .
February 28, 2008
SACRAMENTO – For his efforts to protect working families, including authoring the Higher Education Governance Accountability Act (SB 190) and being one of only six Senators to oppose the tribal gaming compacts, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) has received a 100 percent floor voting re...
February 28, 2008
Google/Project CARE to give every homeless person in SF a local number and voicemail.
California Pacific Medical Center kicks off pilot program to provide free mammograms.
February 28, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The three state Senators who have lead Democratic negotiations with Republicans over a potential new water bond sent the Governor a letter today asking him to hold off on planning a peripheral canal. The administration´s pursuit of the controversial project makes it "difficult t...
February 28, 2008
Sacramento— Recognizing that 2008 will prove to be a tight budget year for California, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R- Lake Elsinore) has introduced a package of bills designed to help improve efficiency in state operations and reduce overall state expenditures. "We can cut all we want, but thi...
February 27, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Executive Director/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. announced the draft proposals of the Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP), the first comprehensive review of Muni in over a generation. The goal of the TEP is to tra...
February 26, 2008
Addressing the growing need for nurses in California, State Senator Jack Scott (Pasadena/Glendale) has introduced Senate Bill 1288 (SB 1288). The bill would authorize the California State University (CSU) to award independently the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to train nurses for advanced...
February 25, 2008
AB 2615 will suspend $3.3 million in Prop. 1B funds to Berkeley.
February 25, 2008
San Francisco CA - Mayor Newsom announced today that San Francisco has made
the "America´s 50 Greenest Cities" list as compiled by Popular Science
Magazine. Having received a score of 23 out of 30, San Francisco was
heralded for its commitment to public transportation and solar power
insta...
February 25, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) introduced SB 1663 Friday, which would allow farmers and agricultural businesses to more easily recycle their used tires. This bill would apply to the owner or an employee of a farm or an agricultural business hauling its own used tires to a recycling f...
February 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) announced her final package of legislative proposals introduced in the State Assembly. The six bills and one resolution focus on many issues Parra has championed during the past five years in the Legislature, including economic development, good ...
February 25, 2008
(Sacramento) Assemblymember Mike Feuer introduced a package of legislation designed to allow local communities to control their own transportation destinies.
"Los Angeles and every other region of our state desperately need to improve our transportation infrastructure. People spend too much ...
February 25, 2008
Package of new bills includes petition signature reform, School for the Blind.
February 25, 2008
(Sacramento) Assemblymember Mike Feuer introduced AB 2784, which requires the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on any vehicle owned or operated by a person convicted of a driving under the influence (DUI) offense. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the California Highway Pat...
February 25, 2008
Program provides $250 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti vandals.
February 25, 2008
Yee Legislation Will Equip Counties with Better Tools to Implement Laura´s Law.
February 26, 2008
Sacramento, CA (February 25, 2008) – Assemblyman Bob Huff has introduced legislation which would deny bail to any person charged with a violent felony or gang-related crime that is found to be in the United States illegally. AB 2418 will require the presiding judge in such a defendant´s bail ...
February 25, 2008
LOS ANGELES—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today settled an antitrust lawsuit that charged Barr Pharmaceuticals with taking $20 million for keeping off the market a cheaper, generic version of the oral contraceptive Ovcon.
"Barr illegally kept its generic drug off the mark...
February 25, 2008
(Sacramento) – Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) introduced legislation to make owning a home in California more affordable for the state´s thousands of disabled veterans. Assembly Bill 2568 will increase the existing property tax exemption for disabled veterans and their unmarried surviv...
February 25, 2008
Resolution would urge Congress to revoke birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
February 25, 2008
Santa Barbara–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava and local law enforcement held press conferences last week in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties to announce the introduction of legislation to protect victims of sexually violent predators and provide district attorneys more tools to protect our communi...
February 25, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO – Joined by pedestrian safety and senior advocates, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) announced legislation to create a double fine zone for the deadly 19th Avenue corridor.
Along with a number of traffic safety enhancements, including pedestrian countdown signals, sta...
February 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – In response to recent reports that some medical facilities are using mammogram machines despite being in violation of federal safety-certification requirements, Sen. Jenny Oropeza introduced legislation with intent to seek increased compliance and greater public awareness.
"As a wom...
February 25, 2008
Sacramento, CA- In order to maintain the integrity and accountability of public officials, Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) introduced Assembly Bill 2092 which closes a loophole in current law that allows individuals convicted of various crimes involving corruption and fraudulence to...
February 25, 2008
Legislation requires disaster planning, notification of rate increases.
February 25, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced last week three new plug-in hybrid vehicles have been added to the municipal fleet. The Department of the Environment secured funding, in part from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), to convert three hybrid Toyota Prius cars into p...
February 25, 2008
Citing outdated and inadequate health coverage requirements, Assemblymembers propose legislation to better protect California women.
February 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Last week Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) and RJ Feild introduced RJ´s Law on the floor of the California State Assembly, Assembly Bill 2389. As the winner of Benoit´s 2007-2008 "There Ought To Be A Law" contest, RJ and his family flew up to Sacramento, toured the State Ca...
February 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava and Eric Sakach, West Coast Director for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) held a Capitol press conference last week to announce the introduction of legislation making it a felony offense to be a spectator at a dogfight. California is the only Weste...
February 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO– In a measure designed to curb the number of identity theft cases, Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) introduced Senate Bill 1398. This measure will require a person requesting a certified copy of a birth or death certificate to show a driver´s license or other government issued ident...
February 25, 2008
Measure would ban smoking in state parks, beaches for health, environmental reasons.
February 25, 2008
Extends time to claim property before it is turned over to the state.
February 25, 2008
Legislation will protect battered women from threat of incarceration.
February 22, 2008
Sacramento - Assemblymember Mike Feuer today introduced AB 2784, which requires the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on any vehicle owned or operated by a person convicted of a driving under the influence (DUI) offense. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the California Highw...
February 22, 2008
Fills Vacant Seat Created By Departure of Longtime Appointee David Rosen.
Sacramento, Calif. – Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) yesterday announced the appointment of member attorney David Bigelow to replace member attorney David Rosen on the California Commission on Access to Justi...
February 19, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today invited more than five hundred mayors, local planning directors, and county Supervisors to attend statewide workshops where they can learn practical ways to combat global warming by reducing reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions....
February 19, 2008
After millions of dollars in lost revenue, horse racing board reconsiders synthetic track mandate.
February 19, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Continuing his fight against drunk driving, Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today introduced Assembly Bill 2073, his public safety measure that increases penalties for DUI manslaughter and closes five loopholes that create inconsistent penalties for driving under the influe...
February 19, 2008
Yee-authored law results in citations throughout California, protecting thousands of consumers.
February 19, 2008
SFMTA Board of Directors adopts final plan for Phase 2 of Third Street Light Rail Project.
February 15, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the following
appointments to San Francisco´s Commissions:
Entertainment Commission
John Newlin
John Newlin was a Captain for the San Francisco Police Department for 34
years and was the Executive Director of San Francisco´...
February 15, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom made good on a pledge made in
his 2nd term inaugural address by announcing the redesign of the two
largest emergency city shelters – Next Door and Multi Service Center South
(MSC South). Members from the Homeless Ten-Year Plan Council, Local
Homeless...
February 15, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) -- Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, introduced legislation yesterday to help non-profit organizations organize fundraising events involving wine donated from California´s wine industry.
"Wine is part of our culture ...
February 15, 2008
Houston disappointed that public resources still set aside for protesters.
February 15, 2008
SAN DIEGO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. yesterday announced a multi-million dollar settlement with Caremark, resolving allegations that the prescription management company tricked doctors into switching patients to different brand name drugs in exchange for "secret rebates from dr...
February 15, 2008
(Washington, DC) – The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congresswomen Barbara Lee (CA-9) and Lynn Woolsey (CA-6), demanded that President Bush provide an opportunity for all Members of Congress to have the same access to classified documents regarding his Administrations domestic s...
February 15, 2008
Senator Yee continues efforts to promote environmentally-friendly energy.
February 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) introduced two bills yesterday streamlining emergency response: Assembly Bill 1976, which strengthens fines for fraudulent 911 telephone calls, and Assembly Bill 1977, which ensures that law enforcement authorities can locate and assist cell ...
February 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, reintroduced legislation yesterday to protect the developmentally disabled from abusive caregivers by creating a registry to track them and prevent them from further employment as a caregiver.
"T...
February 15, 2008
SAN DIEGO – Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D- San Diego) is encouraging any voter in San Diego who had difficulty voting during the February 5th Primary Election to contact her District Office at (619) 645-3090.
Saldaña said that voters should also contact the County Registrar of Voters office at...
February 15, 2008
Los Angeles--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Capital Research and Management Company, the investment adviser to the American Funds family of mutual funds, today entered into an agreement to withdraw their three-year-old lawsuits against each other involving disclosure of broker c...
February 15, 2008
Rejects Portion That Places Unfair Burden on California Health Care Industry.
February 15, 2008
Bill is part of legislative package in response to Cosco Busan oil spill.
February 15, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) announced today the introduction of SB 1259 and that he is co-authoring AB 1999 by Assemblyman Anthony Adams. Both of these measures seek to limit the growing trend of elder abuse cases in California.
SB 1259, sponsored by the California District Atto...
February 15, 2008
Sacramento – Today, the California Legislature took action on several bills that resulted in substantial cuts to critical programs. These historic mid-year cuts signal the seriousness of California´s budget situation for the current and 2008-09 budget years. Governor Schwarzenegger called an...
February 13, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) introduced Senate Bill 1192 which gives all California employees greater flexibility in deciding when to take a meal break.
Under current law, employees are mandated to take meal breaks by the fifth hour of work, causing many workers to take a lunch b...
February 13, 2008
Rebate checks to come as early as May.
February 13, 2008
Today, 34 House Democrats joined a unanimous House Republican Conference in defeating a 21-day extension of the Protect America Act. The bill, which was defeated by a vote of 229 to 191, including all 195 Republicans, was brought up by Democratic leaders in an effort to delay consideration of a bip...
February 13, 2008
STATE CAPITOL – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) today introduced legislation to allow state and local agencies to offer the option of electronic filing of the "Statements of Economic Interest" (SEI – Form 700) of elected and appointed officials and candidates for public office.
"Currently, SEI&acu...
February 13, 2008
Measure promises to provide immediate tax relief.
February 13, 2008
(Sacramento, CA) – Some private lenders are trapping college students and their families into high-cost student loans, according to 'Student Loans for Higher Education,' a California Research Bureau (CRB) report commissioned by Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber.
"Middle class families ar...
February 13, 2008
Antelope Valley Legislator Announces Intentions to Seek Lung Transplant.
February 13, 2008
Change would reduce ´excessive´ DUI to nearly twice the limit.
February 11, 2008
(Oakland, CA) – In front of hundreds of Bay Area residents, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, delivered her annual State of the District address on Monday night. Sharing her progressive vision, she discussed her agenda for the 9th District and the na...
February 11, 2008
San Francisco, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom was deeply saddened to hear of
today´s passing of Congressman Tom Lantos. "My friend and colleague Tom
Lantos has been a tireless advocate in Congress for the residents of the
Bay Area for over 26 years and his legacy in the region is untold."
"Tom ...
February 08, 2008
San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced his intention to use Rainy Day Reserve funds to support the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) in the current fiscal year as a response to the Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger´s deep cuts to education programs in order to offset the st...
February 08, 2008
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), and almost 50 Members of Congress, today sent a letter to U.S. attorney General Michael Mukasey asking for details on the steps the office is taking to ensure that the Department of Defense and the white House are complying with the letter of the...
February 07, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today praised the passage of the bipartisan economic stimulus package that will bring quick relief to American families. The bipartisan legislation now heads to the President's desk for his signature.
"Americans in California's 45th Distric...
February 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Legislation that would ensure money collected through the sale of hunting tags and stamps would be used for game species and their habitats has been introduced by Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga).
SB 1172, introduced by Senator Dutton would specifically protect the money from ...
February 07, 2008
(Sacramento) – Today, Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) announced that he will introduce legislation that will strip transportation funding from the City of Berkeley until the City Counsel rescinds its January 29, 2008 anti-military resolution. On January 29th, 2008 the City of Berkeley took th...
February 07, 2008
(Washington, DC) – Declaring that telecommunications companies involved in President´s Bush´s domestic spying program "undermined [the] fundamental civil protections and privacy rights of Americans," twenty-nine House Members today wrote to President Bush to warn him that they will oppos...
February 07, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymembers Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and Greg Aghazarian (R-Stockton) settled a friendly wager on the Assembly floor over the outcome of a high school championship football game played last December by teams from their districts.
The Napa High Indians and the St. Mary&...
February 07, 2008
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement commemorating National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day:
"Twenty-six years after the first cases of AIDS were reported, HIV is still running rampant in the United States, especially among African American and other c...
February 06, 2008
California Young Democratic Voters Nearly Doubled.
SACRAMENTO – Young Democrats flooded the polls yesterday to pick the next President of the United States. More than 852,459 young voters under-30 cast ballots and 74 percent of the young voters who turned out to the polls voted for Democr...
February 06, 2008
Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), today, announced the availability of applications for the 2008 - 2009 California Senate Fellows program.
The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the state Capitol in Sacramento for 11 months beginning in O...
February 04, 2008
Thousands of non-partisan voters´ ballots in Democratic Primary could go uncounted if voters fail to follow instructions carefully.
Election law in California permits voters registered as "Decline to State" to vote in the Democratic or American Independent primaries for president. When a voter ...
February 04, 2008
As of Monday, transit citations on the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency´s (SFMTA) Municipal Railway (Muni) will no longer be criminal citations for adult offenders, 18 years and older, and will no longer require processing by the San Francisco Superior Court.
A transit citation ...
February 04, 2008
Leadership on Several Public Safety Issues Earned Him Award.
February 04, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez has appointed Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) to the California Commission on the Status of Women.
Saldaña, who also recently became Vice-Chair of the Legislative Women´s Caucus, said she is looking forward to working on issues affecting...
February 04, 2008
Washington, D.C. – California has the nation´s strongest laws to keep criminals and other dangerous people from easily obtaining guns, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The new redesigned scorecards are being released today for all 50 states.
California earned 79...
February 03, 2008
LOS ANGELES, CA – California´s First Lady Maria Shriver today joined a rally at UCLA with Michelle Obama, Caroline Kennedy, labor leader Maria Elena Durazoand Oprah Winfrey to announce her support for Barack Obama. Shriver emphasized that at this critical moment in our nation´s history ...
February 03, 2008
CHICAGO, IL – With just two days left until critical February 5th contests across the country, Obama campaign surrogates continued reaching out to voters to talk about Obama´s movement for change and why he´s the best candidate for the future.
On Sunday afternoon, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama a...
February 02, 2008
(Washington, DC) – Concerned about impoverished, low income and unemployed Americans, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), led by co-chairs Congresswomen Barbara Lee (CA-9) and Lynn Woolsey (CA-6), have rallied over 150 Members of Congress to support increased food stamp benefits as an antipo...
February 02, 2008
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) issued the following statement to commemorate Black History Month:
"As First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, I want to commemorate Black History Month by advocating for a greater commitment to the domestic and global HIV/AIDS pa...
February 02, 2008
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, sent a letter to the Speaker requesting that appropriate Committee Chairs quickly schedule oversight hearings regarding the recent Bush Signing Statement to circumvent a key provision in the Defense Autho...
February 02, 2008
Measure Requires Most Dogs and Cats over 4 Months of Age to be Spayed or Neutered.
January 31, 2008
SALE OF LAND UNDER LOS ANGELES COLISEUM PROVIDES BUDGET RELIEF DURING CRISIS; USC OR SPORTS FRANCHISE MAY SHOW INTEREST.
January 31, 2008
Bill Would Require Sale of LA Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena Land.
January 31, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom and several prominent environmental
groups today called on Board President Aaron Peskin to calendar the General
Obligation Solar Bond for a committee hearing to keep the bond on track for
submission to the June 3rd ballot. The bond would utilize $50 million
...
January 31, 2008
Measure Will Set-up First of its Kind Mechanism for Certifying Sale of Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Off-Sets.
January 31, 2008
Legislation would change penalty for betting pools from misdemeanor to infraction.
January 30, 2008
Senator Yee´s bill ensures pet owners wishes are honored.
January 30, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – A bill by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would bring immediate relief to those affected by the mortgage crisis failed to clear the Senate floor Wednesday. An urgency measure, SB 926 received 26 "aye" votes, one short of the two-thirds majority needed for passage....
January 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Legislation aimed at making it easier for seniors needing care to remain in their own homes has been passed by the State Assembly.
Assembly Bill 1022 was passed (72-1) with bipartisan support.
The measure would allow Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) to provide assist...
January 29, 2008
LOS ANGELES—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from construction, mining, agricultural, industrial equipment—machines which annually emit as much carbon dioxide as approximately 40...
January 29, 2008
Sacramento, CA (January 29, 2008) – Assemblyman Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), today announced that he was appointed to serve on newly-created task forces on Reforming the State Budget and Education by Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines. Members of the task forces will study and propose common-sen...
January 29, 2008
Bill Stems From Sexual Assault Charges On Sleeping Patients.
January 29, 2008
Assembly Bill 811 Allows Californians to Pay for Solar Power, Energy Efficiency Improvements through Voluntary Property Tax Fees.
January 29, 2008
House Resolution 24 highlights the remarkable work done by NASA´s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to make Explorer 1 a reality.
January 29, 2008
GARDEN GROVE – Assemblyman Van Tran, R-Garden Grove, today announced that he has been appointed by Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines to serve on a newly-created Assembly Republican Task Force on the Environment, Energy and the Economy. Members of the task force will help develop and propose i...
January 28, 2008
(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) issued the following statement in response to President Bush's last State of the Union address tonight:
"Against the backdrop of the looming Bush recession, this address was more of the same rhetoric from a president who has squandered unprecede...
January 28, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Assembly passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, requiring health plans and insurers to provide coverage for the testing and treatment of inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) in newborn children that, if...
January 28, 2008
ABX1 1 Fails to Get Majority Support and Does Not Move Forward.
January 28, 2008
SACRAMENTO - State grants for college are now available, and getting them is easy. Current or future undergraduates just have to apply by the deadline and meet certain criteria. That is information that Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) wants 2008-2009 college-bound students in his district to kn...
January 28, 2008
Senator Yee stands up for working families in opposing AB X1 1
SACRAMENTO – Joining California nurses, school employees, senior groups, and a number of labor unions, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today voted against the Governor´s flawed healthcare bill (AB X1 1) in...
Assemblyman Guy Houston Introduces Legislation to Address Long Term Housing Needs for Future Homeown
January 28, 2008
(Sacramento) - Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) announced today that he has introduced legislation to help ensure that the long-term health of California´s housing market is protected during the current housing crisis. There are limits on the amount of time to build new homes after they ...
January 28, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) sent to following letter to the Governor and Assembly Speaker today:
January 28, 2008
Hon. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor
State of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Hon. Fabian Nuñez...
January 28, 2008
Sacramento – Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) and Assemblymember Ed Hernandez (D – West Covina), the respective chairs of the Senate and Assembly Committees with jurisdiction over public employment and public pension issues, today unveiled legislation that will implement all recommendations...
January 28, 2008
Tran Receives Honorary Summa Cum Laude Award For His Strong Support For Small Businesses.
January 28, 2008
WASHINGTON DC – Citing the potential "to manipulate the system," California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. recommended that the Federal Trade Commission sharpen its guidelines for businesses that sell carbon emission offset credits.
"The Federal Trade Commission must set clear guidelines f...
January 28, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Appropriations Committee has passed a measure aimed at providing education as well as non-judicial conflict resolution in disputes between homeowners and their homeowner associations.
The bill´s author, Assembly Member Lori Saldaña, who chairs the Assembly Housing ...
January 24, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) has been elected Vice-Chair of the Legislative Women´s Caucus.
"I have made women – in their roles as mothers, caretakers for parents, teachers, workers and professionals- a priority during my legislative career," Saldaña said. "I&acu...
January 24, 2008
Senate Health Hearing for ABX1 1 Lasts 12 Hours - Vote on Monday.
January 24, 2008
The bill seeks to stem the level of foreclosures by requiring notification three times before loan rate adjusts.
January 24, 2008
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement regarding the new legislative measures she has introduced on Iraq and Iran:
"As co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, I stand firm that this Republican administration must s...
January 24, 2008
Olympic flame to traverse city April 9 en route to Beijing for 2008 Olympic Games.
January 23, 2008
WASHINGTON DC—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today called upon the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to "obey the Supreme Court´s landmark decision," Massachusetts v. EPA, opening a new front in the legal battle for tailpipe greenhouse gas regulations.
"The Artic...
January 23, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) made the following statement today in regards to the Senate Health Committee´s hearing on ABX1:
"Most of us have been trying to extend health care coverage to the many Californians who don´t have it for as long as we´...
January 23, 2008
Lee Blasts House Republicans For Upholding Bush Veto.
January 22, 2008
(Oakland, CA) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement upon House passage of her Congressional Resolution to cut poverty in half over a decade:
"As co-founder of the Out of Poverty Caucus, I am happy that the House has unanimously passed my legislation, which sets a nat...
January 22, 2008
Holds Hearing to Focus on Possible Rate Increase and System Reliability.
January 22, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) has introduced a measure, Assembly Bill 1809, that would include California in an interstate compact establishing uniform standards for military children transferring between school districts and states.
Saldaña said that military families e...
January 22, 2008
Yee stands up for working families in opposing AB X1 1.
January 21, 2008
Brochure Designed to Empower Parents with Information.
January 19, 2008
Legislation enables cities to use efficient design-build construction process.
January 19, 2008
New law stops illegal car sales, Senator repaints curb along El Camino.
January 19, 2008
"It´s unconscionable that this measure did not even get a hearing," said Denham.
January 19, 2008
Yee tops each issue area: Education, Healthcare, Civil Rights, Criminal Justice, Housing & Economics.
January 19, 2008
Associated Students of UC Davis recognize Senator´s work to reform higher education governance.
January 19, 2008
(Oakland, CA) – Remembering Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King´s legacy and the connection he made between the war in Vietnam and poverty, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement:
"As our nation commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us remember the legacy of th...
January 17, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) today issued the following statement about the state´s financial crisis and the schedule for committee work on midyear budget adjustments.
"Senate Democrats are very concerned about the state´s grave financial position. We know that i...
January 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Senator Ashburn today announced the availability of applications for the 2008 - 2009 California Senate Fellows program.
The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the state Capitol in Sacramento for 11 months beginning in Octobe...
January 17, 2008
Clark School Engineers Report on Country's Aging Water-Related Infrastructure; Restoring Ecosystem May Hold Key to Flood Prevention.
January 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) announced that AB 1110 has passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The bill received a unanimous vote and now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill sets minimum standards of treatment for wards in the California Yo...
January 17, 2008
Move comes in Wake of FDA Decision Allowing Sale to Consumers.
January 17, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, is pleased to announce that she has been named "Legislator of the Year" by the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League (GSMOL), an association of mobile home residents across California.
"T...
January 17, 2008
Chair of Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security Sends Letter to U.S. Attorney´s Office Calls For Action If Laws Were Broken.
January 17, 2008
Sacramento – Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) released the following statement in reaction to the Senate Budget committee hearing today:
"Even though I am pleased that the Governor realizes that the state has a spending problem and not a revenue problem, there are numerous problems with his propo...
January 17, 2008
Sacramento – On Wednesday, the Assembly Education Committee voted down Assembly Bill 683 authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster), a bill that would change the entrance date for kindergarten admission to September 1.
"I am disappointed that the majority party did not see the signifi...
January 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Legislation aimed at making it easier for seniors needing care to remain at home has been passed by the State Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care.
Assembly Bill 1022 was passed by committee members with unanimous bipartisan support.
The measure would allow Continuing ...
January 17, 2008
Oakland Granted Funds to Re-time Traffic Signals and Address Traffic Safety.
Oakland, CA — The Metropolitan Transportation Commission has awarded the City of Oakland a grant of $38,400 in consulting engineering services to re-time 16 city traffic signals as part of the 2007 Regional Signal ...
January 17, 2008
Clintons Crisscross State Trying to Draw Youth Voters.
Because of the increased importance of the youth vote, California college students are witnessing incredible attention from Democratic presidential candidates.
In Iowa, Senator Barack Obama treated young people as voters, not just campai...
January 16, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Ashburn´s bill SBX1 23 to expand coverage for uninsured employees passed the Senate Health Committee today, its first major hurdle in the special session called by Governor Schwarzenegger to address healthcare.
Senator Ashburn´s measure creates an economic incenti...
January 16, 2008
SACRAMENTO- Legislation to regulate dead body exhibits, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), passed an Assembly Committee today by a bipartisan vote of 7-0. Assembly Bill 1519 will prohibit the commercial profit and public display of human bodies or remains without the documented in...
January 16, 2008
New Legislation Would Allow Stores to Charge a Nominal Fee for Plastic Bags.
January 16, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and the legislature´s representative on the California Ocean Protection Council today blasted the decision by President Bush to exempt the Navy from all state and federal environmen...
Senator Margett Seeks To Close Loophole Allowing Sex Offenders To Continue Teaching In The Classroom
January 16, 2008
Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) introduced Senate Bill 1105 today to close the loophole which has allowed teachers who plead no contest to misdemeanor sex offenses to continue teaching in the classroom.
Under the current teacher credentialing law, if a person is found guilty of a misdemeanor sex...
January 16, 2008
Sacramento – On Tuesday, the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted down Assembly Bill 42, legislation authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) aimed at combating Section 8 housing fraud.
"Section 8 housing fraud is a serious problem that needs to be dealt with immediately," Runner ...
January 16, 2008
Sacramento District Attorney Jan Scully, Crime Victims United & Survivors in Action support Assembly Bill 1771
January 16, 2008
CPC Economic Town Hall Highlights Progressive Solutions
January 16, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Newsom submitted ballot measures for the June, 2008 election that would limit campaign contributions and create a rebate program for residential and commercial installations of solar power.
Newsom said that two ballot campaign-finance reform measures would bar poli...
January 16, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The Assembly Health Committee passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, requiring health plans and insurers to provide coverage for the testing and treatment of inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) in newborn childre...
January 16, 2008
Senator Gives the Committee a Thumbs Up and a Thumbs Down.
January 16, 2008
Introduces legislation that bans inefficient fluorescent light bulbs.
January 16, 2008
Senator says "money pit" should be closed, the bay front land sold and proceeds used for expanding an existing prison or building a new one.
January 16, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Senator Michael J. Machado (D-Linden) yesterday introduced legislation repealing the California Bay-Delta Authority Act.
SB 1102 repeals the California Bay-Delta Authority Act, which currently authorizes the Authority, and specified implementing agencies, to carry out progra...
January 16, 2008
LOS ANGELES—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. has sued Interwall Development Systems, one of Los Angeles´s largest drywall contractors, for employing a "sophisticated and heartless scheme" to cheat hundreds of its employees out of at least $5 million in wages and benefits. ...
January 16, 2008
LIEBER FILES WOMEN´S HEALTH BILL SPONSORED BY FRAN DRESCHER, CANCER SCHMANCER MOVEMENT, AND PRESENTS RESOLUTION TO DRESCHER.
January 16, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, has announced the following appointments:
Jonathan E. Fielding, M.D., a Democrat from Los Angeles, has been appointed to the Public Health Advisory Committee. Dr. Fielding is the Director of the...
January 16, 2008
Bill seeks to stem the level of foreclosures by requiring notification three times before interest rate adjusts.
January 16, 2008
Former New York City arts commissioner, Bronx Museum director joins Newsom administration.
January 16, 2008
Named Planning and Conservation League´s Legislator of the Year.
January 16, 2008
Yee´s Commitment to Women´s Rights and Reproductive Health Earns Top Rating.
January 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO - The California State Legislature reconvened for its 2008 legislative session in Sacramento today and State Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/North Bay) immediately introduced legislation to protect the wallets of consumers renting vehicles at California airports, as well as a separ...
January 12, 2008
BILL REPEALS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TUITION BENEFIT WHILE PROVIDING FREE COLLEGE FOR CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS.
Irvine, Calif. – In an effort to bolster membership and retention in the California National Guard, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) is proposing an education assistance prog...
January 12, 2008
Congressman fought to get federal dollars to build coastside tunnel.
SAN MATEO – The San Mateo County coastside tunnel currently being constructed on Highway 1 at Devil’s Slide will be named in honor of the man who secured much of the funding necessary for the $272 million project. Alongsid...
January 12, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Lt. Governor John Garamendi had the following comments on the proposed budget:
“The budget proposed (yesterday) fails a very simple test: it does not meet the needs of California.
“Thirty years ago, I began my career in public service hopeful that our state could do more to impr...
January 12, 2008
Opposes Proposed Constitutional Amendment.
(Sacramento, CA) – Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) reacted to yesterday’s proposal to fast track executions. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron George presented the plan today in a hearing before the California Commission on the...
January 12, 2008
Sacramento, CA - Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, Chair of the California State Senate Budget Committee provided the following reaction to yesterday’s release of the Governor’s Budget Proposal. Attached is also an audio clip which includes other reactions not included in the statements below. The audi...
January 12, 2008
Sacramento – Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) released the following statement in reaction to the Governor’s release of his 2008-2009 budget:
“I really appreciate that the Governor continues to hammer on the fact that what we have is a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Projections sh...
January 12, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, chair of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, responded to the governor’s release of his proposed 2008-09 budget:
“As a former budget chair, I believe the governor’s call for 10-percent, across-the-board cuts is the least responsible way to bal...
January 12, 2008
Senator Aanestad Ready to Support Governor on Some Issues.
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) reacted somberly to Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposals unveiled today in Sacramento. The proposed 2008-2009 spending plan contains nearly $9 billion in budget cuts, over $4bil...
January 12, 2008
“It’s NOT a fee, it’s NOT a user fee, it’s a TAX!”
Sacramento—Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) today wasted no time in responding to the Governor’s release of the 2008-09 budget. “I applaud the Governor for finally coming back to the table to control the growth of state spending....
January 12, 2008
Sacramento – Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) issued the following statement regarding Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal:
“The Governor’s proposal is a starting point, but more must be done. We need to re-evaluate the way we spend taxpayer money and find better ways to be g...
January 10, 2008
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland) issued the following statement reflecting on the failed Iraq occupation, one year after President Bush announced the surge of U.S. troops:
“It's been a year since the president chose to escalate our presence in Iraq - keeping our brave men an...
January 10, 2008
COSTA MESA – Republican elected officials at every level of government have long searched for any and every reform proposal that could encourage a greater role for parents in the education of their children.
To that end, California State Assemblyman Van Tran was proud to team up with former...
January 10, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that prohibits health plans and insurers from imposing extra fees on consumers who do not consent to receiving their bills electronically via their computer cleared the Senate Health Committee today.
The measure, ...
January 10, 2008
LOS ANGELES--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today attacked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for betraying its “sacred mission” to protect the environment and called upon Congress to require the agency’s top staff to explain, under oath, their flawed and illegal decision-maki...
January 10, 2008
Yee fights to take patients out of payment disputes between insurers and doctors
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Health Committee today approved legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) designed to stop the practice of patients receiving surprise medical bills afte...
January 10, 2008
Measures Designed to Penalize Governor and Legislature for Missing Key Deadlines.
MERCED—State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), the major budget holdout last summer, today introduced his “Budget Reform Package.” The package includes a total of six measures: three Senate Constitutional Amendment...
January 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) announced her landmark legislation, AB 27, has moved an important step forward after presenting the bill at a hearing of the Assembly Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy Committee. The bill passed by a unanimous vote and now moves to the ...
January 10, 2008
State continues legal fight to protect children from excessively violent video games.
SACRAMENTO – This week, the State of California officially filed the opening brief in their appeal of a lower courts decision granting a permanent injunction on the state’s violent video game law. The 58-p...
January 08, 2008
AB 56, by Assemblywoman Ma, seeks to streamline and provide efficiency in State’s anti-poverty programs.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) presented legislation to create a cabinet-level Secretary to End Poverty in the Assembly Human Services Committee. AB 56,...
January 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) reacted to Governor Schwarzenegger’s “State of the State” address to the State Legislature today, saying he and fellow Senate Republicans will stand firmly behind the Governor’s efforts to cut spending to solve the $14 billion budget deficit.
...
January 08, 2008
Sacramento, CA – California State Assemblymember Dr. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) today issued the following statement after Governor Schwarzenegger’s remarks in his fourth State of the State address.
“I welcome the Governor making our state budget the top priority through both his comment...
January 08, 2008
"The Governor is striking the right tone that we have got to deal with the Budget problem in California. We can already see the handwriting on the wall. The Legislative Majority won’t like the Governor’s cuts and they will likely come up with alternatives that include raising taxes. Fortunately th...
January 08, 2008
Los Angeles, CA -- Assemblymember Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), Chairman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, gave the following statement in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address:
“In what is widely considered to one of the worst fiscal crisis’ our state has ...
January 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) issued the follow response to the Governor’s State of the State Address:
“While I share the Governor’s concerns over the budget, I do not believe spending cuts should be made across the board. Not only is the concept ill-advised, it is ...
January 08, 2008
Sacramento – Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) released the following statement in reaction to the Governor’s State of the State address this afternoon:
“The Governor is correct – our budgetary system does need more stability. We need to put an end to gimmickry, an end to budgetary smoke and m...
January 08, 2008
Houston Predicts Year Long Battle for Budgetary Reform
(Sacramento) – Today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave his annual State of the State Address to a Joint Session of the California State Legislature. Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) issued the following statement in reactio...
January 08, 2008
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The following is a statement released by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, on the Governor’s State of the State Address.
“Californians value public education, safety nets for the poor and disabled, public safety, transportation, ...
January 08, 2008
At Second Inaugural, Mayor Pledges Leadership On Health, Environment, Education.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Today Mayor Gavin Newsom delivered his second inaugural address in the rotunda of City Hall and pledged to continue San Francisco’s leadership on issues such as health, the environment, and educa...
Migden Bills: Stop Over-charging by Airport Rental Car Companies; Speed Up SF Bay Oil Spill Response
January 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO - The California State Legislature reconvened for its 2008 legislative session in Sacramento Monday and State Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/North Bay) immediately introduced legislation to protect the wallets of consumers renting vehicles at California airports, as well as a sepa...
January 08, 2008
Amendment will allow locals to control their own transportation destinies.
January 8, 2008 (Sacramento) Assemblyman Mike Feuer introduced ACA 10, a constitutional amendment which would lower the vote threshold for the approval of bonds for local transportation projects from a two-thirds vote...
January 08, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The State Senate passed legislation yesterday that would appropriate $610.89 million in already approved bond funds for a variety of water-related projects including water supply, storm water management, levee protection, delta emergency preparedness, and clean drinking water.
...
January 05, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Executive Director/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. launched the Transit Lane Enforcement Pilot Project. Beginning January 4, 2008, the Transit Lane Enforcement Project will place forward-facing cameras on Mun...
BAY AREA MAYORS GAVIN NEWSOM, CHUCK REED AND RON DELLUMS UNVEIL REGIONAL EMERGENCY COORDINATION PLAN
January 05, 2008
Bay Area is the first region in the state to develop regional emergency plan.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Thursday, in recognition of the need for a regional response to natural and human-caused emergencies Mayor Gavin Newsom, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed were joined by region...
January 02, 2008
WASHINGTON D.C. — Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr., on behalf of the State of California, today sued the United States Environmental Protection Agency for “wrongfully and illegally” blocking the state's landmark tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions standards.
Brown filed the lawsuit in the U.S. ...
December 31, 2007
Bush responds to pressure from Lee, advocates and signs bill.
(Washington, DC) –Responding to news that the Darfur divestment bill she originally introduced in the House has been signed into law, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland) issued the following statement:
“After hearing the call of t...
December 29, 2007
Senator Yee authors laws to bring transparency to UC/CSU, improve public safety, assist children, protect workers.
SACRAMENTO – Several bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) are set to become law on January 1, 2008. These new laws range from bringing transparenc...
December 28, 2007
Senator Yee authors laws to bring transparency to UC/CSU, improve public safety, assist children, protect workers.
SACRAMENTO – Several bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) are set to become law on January 1, 2008. These new laws range from bringing transparency ...
December 25, 2007
American Cancer Society California gives Wolk perfect grade for 2007.
SACRAMENTO– The American Cancer Society, (ACS) California division last week announced that Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) earned 100 percent on its 2007 Legislative scorecard for state lawmakers on important cancer-relate...
December 25, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Sen. George Runner (R – Antelope Valley) and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R – Lancaster) state their opposition to Governor Schwarzenegger’s prisoner release plan, a budget proposal that threatens the safety of Californians by releasing over 22,000 inmates before their scheduled parole....
December 25, 2007
“I Hope This Means A Little More Time On The Phone For Our Troops With Their Loved Ones This Holiday Season.”
(LOS ALAMITOS JOINT FORCES TRAINING BASE) Last week, Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) was proud to donate over 300 phone cards to the California National Guard and Army Reserve to...
December 25, 2007
(Washington, DC) – Shocked by the White House and the EPA denying California’s waiver to more aggressively curb car emissions, California Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland) issued the following statement:
“This is irresponsible energy and environmental policy and shows where the Bush administrat...
December 20, 2007
LOS ANGELES—Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Insurance Commission Steve Poizner today announced a $7.2 million settlement with American Investors Life Insurance Company, Family First Insurance Services, and Family First Advanced Estate Planning, resolving allegations that the companies sold ...
December 20, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate Democrats unveiled legislation today to immediately help people affected by the subprime mortgage crisis stay in their homes and prevent neighborhoods afflicted with foreclosures from becoming areas of blight.
“The mortgage crisis is taking a terrible toll on Oakland and the...
December 20, 2007
SACRAMENTO – In an effort to stop rental car companies from bilking consumers who rent cars at California airports, Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/North Bay) today announced plans to repeal legislation which allows these companies to overcharge California consumers by tens of millions of dol...
December 20, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) sent a letter today to the California Air Resources Board asking it to regulate reductions in automobile greenhouse gas emissions under AB 32. The measure allows for the state to act, even if the federal government relents.
The full ...
December 20, 2007
'Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911' Roadway Signs Unveiled. $4 Million in Grants to Target DUI Enforcement.
SACRAMENTO, Calif./PRNewswire/ -- At a news conference held yesterday at the California Highway Patrol (CHP) 911 emergency dispatch center in Rancho Cordova, Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Di...
December 20, 2007
LOS ANGELES—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and California Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet sued two janitorial companies for exploiting their employees and committing “flagrant violations” of California’s basic wage and hour laws. The two offices have joined forces to collect th...
December 20, 2007
(Washington, DC) - Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA) released a GAO report yesterday which finds that Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is spending inordinate time and resources looking for contraband from Cuba--mostly cigars and...
December 20, 2007
WASHINGTON DC--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. yesterday blasted the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s rejection of California’s request to impose greenhouse gas emissions limits on motor vehicles.
“It is completely absurd to assert that California does not have a c...
December 20, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday that the federal government has agreed to spend over $82 million on the cleanup of the Hunters Point Shipyard in the upcoming fiscal year.
“This is a huge victory for San Francisco in general and the Bayview Hunters Point Community in par...
December 19, 2007
Los Angeles – Dozens of workers and unions of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO gathered on the steps of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to announce their endorsement of Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas in the June 3rd race to replace current Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite–Burk...
December 19, 2007
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- An increase in the refund available for empty beverage containers prompted Californians to achieve a significant jump in recycling in the first half of 2007. In the process, they also created a substantial environmental benefit, according to a new report j...
December 19, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) issued the following statement about health care reform legislation:
“I welcome the progress being made in the Assembly to pass a workable health care reform plan.”
“I look forward to the Senate receiving the legislation and taking...
December 19, 2007
Fee would generate revenue to expand Shape Up San Francisco, Mayor Newsom’s comprehensive anti-obesity initiative.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that he is looking
into a sweetened beverage fee on big-box retailers that sell drinks
sweetened by high-fructose corn syrup,...
December 19, 2007
Ashburn quest for Trustline oversight to be achieved in February.
SACRAMENTO – Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield ) was notified Monday that regulations requiring background checks for state funded daycare providers have been adopted by the Office of Administrative Law and will take effect...
December 19, 2007
Sacramento – Assemblywoman Sharon Runner criticized Assembly Democrats for passing a $14 billion government-run health care plan on a party-line vote. Runner said the Democrat plan, Assembly Bill 1x, would lead to increased health care costs for consumers and billions of dollars in higher taxes.
...
December 19, 2007
Residents will be able to buy carbon offsets that directly benefit San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Building on his recent proposals for a local carbon
tax, solar rebate and loan programs, a grease recycling initiative, and a
landmark green building ordinance, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom...
December 19, 2007
Federal report grades charities, some failed to serve veterans.
SACRAMENTO–Following a federal hearing on the questionable financial stewardship of several national charities serving veterans, Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) issued an advisory today urging her constituents to contribute to v...
December 19, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) is committed to passing health care reform. As he has said, he is pleased with the progress that has resulted in the Assembly’s passage of a framework backed by the Governor. The Senate looks forward to examining it and the companion fin...
December 19, 2007
SAN DIEGO – Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D - San Diego) announced that applications for the 2008-2009 Assembly Fellowships are now available through her district office.
The Jesse Marvin Unruh Fellowship Program, named for the late Assembly Speaker and California State Treasurer, is the one of t...
December 17, 2007
Los Angeles – Through field operation plans that outreached to over 22,000 union and 40,000 non-union voters, the Los Angeles Labor Movement helped deliver the vote for Warren Furutani during the December 11th Special Election race for the 55th Assembly District.
Over the course of the cam...
December 14, 2007
SANTA BARBARA –Assemblymember Nava announced today that he will be receiving the “Ed N. Harrison Conservation Award” from the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology on behalf of his work to save the California condor.
“We are presenting Assemblymember Nava with the “Ed N. Harrison Conservation...
December 14, 2007
(Washington, DC) – In the wake of allegations of overspending and mismanagement by Special Inspector General for Iraq (SIGIR) Stuart W. Bowen Jr., a former Bush legal adviser assigned to probe claims of waste and fraud in the U.S. occupation of Iraq, Congresswomen Barbara Lee (D-CA), Maxine Waters (...
Assemblymember Levine Statement on Termination of Water Resources-Calpine 2 Power Purchase Agreement
December 14, 2007
Says Cancellation of “Good Contract” Means Bad Deal for California Ratepayers.
LOS ANGELES – Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) today issued the following statement regarding the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) announcement that it has restructured a contract it has with...
December 14, 2007
(Washington, DC) – As the U.S. House gets set to vote on the revised Darfur Divestment bill next week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA) issued the following statement:
“Earlier this year, I introduced the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act (HR 180) to target companies whose business ...
December 14, 2007
Budget Deficit Must Be Addressed Before Health Care Reform Moves Forward.
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) issued the following statement about health care talks:
“I am encouraged by the progress the Governor, the Assembly Speaker and I have made this year d...
December 12, 2007
Prison Illegal Incarceration Lawsuit Calls Into Question California’s System of Justice.
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-San Jose), Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly, responded today to the lawsuit filed by SEIU Local 1000 alleging failure of prison official...
December 12, 2007
Senator Yee continues efforts to increase healthcare access for all.
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) earned a 100 percent record on the 2007 Legislative Review issued by the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC), a statewide organization of healthcar...
December 12, 2007
FRESNO—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today hailed the United States Eastern District Court’s “stinging rejection” of an automobile industry challenge to California’s landmark motor vehicle emissions standards. The emissions standard, established by AB 1493 in 2002, requires a 30 pe...
December 12, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Building on his recent proposals for a local carbon
tax, solar rebate and loan programs, and a grease recycling initiative,
Mayor Newsom today proposed a ground-breaking green building ordinance that
imposes strict new green building requirements on newly constructed
resident...
DEFENSE BILL BEFORE CONGRESS INCLUDES PROVISION THAT COULD EXPAND GENOCIDE RELIEF MISSIONS IN DARFUR
December 12, 2007
PROVISION IN DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION CONFERENCE AGREEMENT AUTHORED BY REPS. ISRAEL, LEE WOULD COMMISSION A STUDY OF HOW ABECHE AIRFIELD IN CHAD COULD BE UPGRADED TO PROVIDE FOR NATO, UN DEPLOYMENTS OR RELIEF MISSIONS.
Washington, DC— The House-Senate Conference agreement for the Defense Authorizati...
December 12, 2007
San Francisco, CA – In an effort to accelerate the pace of solar installation in San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting and the San Francisco Solar Task Force announced a package of proposals that will provide direct financial incentives as well as a long-term loans and rebat...
December 12, 2007
As printed in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 9, 2007.
Kudos to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for their responsible decision to forego a pay raise during these times of fiscal uncertainty.
I agree with Supervisor Ellen Pirie that, amid potential budget cuts, elected officials sh...
December 12, 2007
CONTRA COSTA—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a $42.2 million dollar settlement agreement with Hanson Building Materials, a multi-national mining corporation This settlement resolves allegations that the company improperly mined over two million cubic yards of sand fro...
December 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Come Jan. 1, 2008, California will become the third state in the nation to ban smoking in cars with minors, thanks to a cancer-prevention measure carried by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach.
“The long-term health benefits from this new law can only be positive for the well being of ...
December 11, 2007
Assemblyman Huff Shows Strong Support for California Taxpayers.
Sacramento, CA (December 11, 2007) -- Assembly Member Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) today announced his significant 2007 legislative vote rankings by interest groups.
California Chamber of Commerce – 100% - See http://www.calchamb...
December 11, 2007
By Unanimous Vote the Los Angeles City Council Endorses Legislation to Create a U.S. Department of Peace.
Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States, remembered Pearl Harbor Day with an emphatic vote for peace as the Los Angeles City Council unanimously vot...
December 10, 2007
LOS ANGELES — California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced last week that the Port of Los Angeles will take several important steps to “identify and reduce” the significant greenhouse gases generated at the Port of Los Angeles. The agreement, w...
December 10, 2007
Yee urges residents to donate toys and DVDs for troops and their families.
SAN MATEO/SAN FRANCISCO – The Office of Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) is joining forces with the National Guard Association of California in an effort to bring holiday joy to soldiers and their fam...
December 10, 2007
Yee’s Commitment to Equal Rights Earns 100% Rating from Civil Rights Group.
SACRAMENTO – In 2007, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) continued his perfect lifetime legislative record on issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, earning a 100 per...
December 10, 2007
LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton today announced the seizure of 541 handguns, rifles and assault weapons during a “statewide crackdown” on 1,000 dangerous individuals barred from firearms possession because of violent felony c...
December 10, 2007
SAN DIEGO—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that two Texan shoplifters will be arraigned today on commercial burglary charges for buying and returning $375,000 in stolen goods at retailers including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Victoria’s Secret and Gap across 34 stat...
December 07, 2007
Transportation poll online now through January 9.
OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Got opinions? The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) wants to hear them. MTC is hosting a Web survey on a variety of issues related to transportation, the environment and land development in the Ba...
December 07, 2007
Hearing uncovers failure in emergency response, coordination, and fish rescue.
Rio Vista–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) convened a special hearing of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee in the city of Rio Vista today to demand answers from state and federal agencies involved in ...
December 05, 2007
‘Toys for Tots’ program to bring holiday cheer to families with a parent serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
(Costa Mesa – CA) On Tuesday, December 4, 2006, Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) will hold his 2nd Annual Christmas Toy Drive in partnership with our local U.S. Marine Corps ‘Toys ...
December 05, 2007
LOS ANGELES — Calling aviation a “large and rapidly growing source” of greenhouse gas emissions, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today petitioned the United States Environmental Protection Agency to adopt global warming regulations for aircraft. The request comes on the heels of a la...
December 05, 2007
Current 6-hour Response Rule Doesn’t Protect SF Bay due to tidal action.
SACRAMENTO—State Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/North Bay) today announced her first piece of legislation in response to last month’s Cosco Busan oil spill in the San Francisco Bay. The legislation will specify th...
December 05, 2007
Glendora – Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) announced today the availability of applications for the 2008-2009 California Senate Fellows Program.
The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the State Capitol for 11 months beginning in October ...
December 05, 2007
Orange County, CA – Continuing a tradition which began in 2004, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore is lending his support to a major gift donation drive on behalf of the state’s deployed members of the National Guard, Army Reserve, and active duty soldiers.
The fourth annual “Operation Christmas for Ou...
December 05, 2007
Event calls for renewed attention and resources to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Duarte, CA - Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and City of Hope hosted an HIV/AIDS Action Summit today at the City of Hope campus in Duarte. The summit, themed Progress & Opportunity, identified tools for loca...
December 05, 2007
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) has joined forces with Toys for the Troop’s Kids to collect toys for the children of military personnel who are currently deployed. This program is operated by the California Republican Veterans Association (CRVA) Charities, Inc., a non-profit ...
December 05, 2007
California’s Legislative Rural Caucus worked with Congress, stakeholders to help secure funding.
SACRAMENTO – At their annual conference today, the California State Rural Health Association is set to discuss the $22 million federal grant the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently a...
December 05, 2007
RANCHO CUCAGMONGA – Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) will be honoring those local businesses that stepped up and contributed generously to the relief efforts for the victims of the recent fires.
The Senator will be acknowledging these businesses at a brief ceremony, which will be held on W...
December 05, 2007
“I believe the people of California elected me to the Assembly with a salary already set.”
(GARDEN GROVE)- Today Assemblyman Van Tran pledged to return his mandatory salary increase to local charities and criticized the Citizens Compensation Commission for recommending such an increase in a ...
December 05, 2007
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Oakland, CA)issued the following statement in recognition of World AIDS Awareness Day:
“World AIDS Day is December 1 and all over the world events will be held to remember those who have died from this disease and call for bold action to eradicate the...
December 05, 2007
AB 1634 Saves Taxpayers Millions of Dollars, Cuts the Need to Euthanize Millions of Animals, and Relieves Overcrowded Animal Shelters.
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) was joined yesterday by legendary television star Bob Barker and many members of the California Healthy...
December 05, 2007
(Sacramento, CA) - Today, the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (CA ACTS) Task Force released its Final Report, Human Trafficking in California, with findings and recommendations to the Governor, Attorney General and Legislature.
The report, the result of nearly 18 months of ...
December 05, 2007
Steven Tupolo joins Assemblywoman Wolk’s staff as Assembly Fellow.
SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) announced today that Davis resident Steven Tupolo will join her staff as an Assembly Fellow for the 2008 legislative year.
Tupolo was one of 18 individuals selected from a stat...
December 04, 2007
Plan will equitably distribute $3 billion to rebuild transportation infrastructure.
(Sacramento)- Last week the California Transportation Commission approved guidelines for making use of a $3 billion goods movement improvement fund. This $3 billion portion of Proposition 1B will go towards ...
December 04, 2007
Test results show no human health risk for most Bay Area fishing waters.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) yesterday lifted his executive order that prohibited fishing in and around the San Francisco Bay for the past three weeks. The ban, which included the long-aw...
December 04, 2007
Bills will help protect homeowners through reform and foreclosure prevention.
SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and Assembly Democratic leadership announced yesterday that they will introduce legislation in January to tackle the mortgage crisis that has gripped homeowners in counties...
November 30, 2007
Groups Protest Excessive Amount Of Home Foreclosures.
ANAHEIM, CA¡ªState Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) has joined a coalition of organizations to protest home foreclosures by Countrywide Financial Corporation and call for an immediate freeze on interest rates and pending foreclosures....
November 30, 2007
With vision coming into focus, Wolk looks forward to taking next step.
SACRAMENTO–Following the release of the third and final Delta Vision by the Governor’s Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), chair of the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee, issue...
November 29, 2007
NEW YORK — Charging the federal government with “subverting a key public safety measure,” California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for allowing companies to hide information about toxic chemicals at thousands of facilities around the United ...
November 28, 2007
Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-San Diego) today joined CalFire officials in a ceremony to thank the Fire Department of Tecate, Baja California, Mexico for its assistance in fighting San Diego County’s wildfires during October.
“We want to thank all of the men and women who assisted in defending...
November 28, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) announced today the addition of Alexander Vassar, a 2007– 08 Senate Fellow to his Capitol office.
Vassar was selected among hundreds of applicants for one of 18 Senate Fellowships.
The newest member of the Dutton staff holds a Bachelor o...
November 27, 2007
Ultra-Violent Video Games Top Many Holiday Shopping Lists.
SACRAMENTO – Citing potential harmful effects on minors, child psychologist and Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) urged parents and grandparents to avoid violent video game purchases for their children this holiday season....
Solorio Receives Legislator Of The Year Award From Peace Officers Research Association of California
November 27, 2007
Assemblyman Solorio Commended For His Leadership On Public Safety Issues and Combating Gang Violence.
SACRAMENTO, CA—State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) is pleased to announce that he has received the Legislator of the Year award from the Peace Officers Research Association of Califor...
November 27, 2007
(Sacramento, CA) –Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-San Jose), Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly, has achieved a perfect score on the Sierra Club’s priority environmental bills in 2007. The Sierra Club rated all state legislators on their votes on twelve key bills. Lieber has earned...
November 27, 2007
Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) will host a reception with Chris Simcox, the founder of Minuteman Civil Defense Corps (MCDC), on Thursday at 5:30 PM at the home of Elaine Henderson, 10 Sterling Place, City of Rancho Mirage. This event, open to the public, will provide a discussion abou...
November 22, 2007
Group includes Wolk’s legislation for stronger flood, wildlife protection on scorecard.
SACRAMENTO–The California League of Conservation Voters announced this week that Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) earned 100 percent on its scorecard grading state lawmaker’s votes on legislation on the sta...
November 22, 2007
(Sacramento) – Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) released the following statement yesterday regarding the progress and future of water bond negotiations:
“Discussions about California’s fragile water system have dominated a good portion of the year. The spotlight has been focused on water ...
November 22, 2007
If California takes the right approach, retirees will live longer and better, cost their children less, and create an economic boom for America.
GARDEN GROVE – In partnership with the California State Department of Aging, Assemblyman Van Tran hosted a Town Hall Forum Tuesday evening at the G...
November 21, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Opponents to the Big 4 Gambling Deals applauded the announcement from Secretary of State Debra Bowen that the first of four gambling deals (Pechanga) have qualified for the February ballot.
In making tonight’s announcement, Bowen said verification continues on the petitio...
November 20, 2007
First Carbon Neutral Winery in the United States Honored for Efforts to Combat Climate Change.
UKIAH, Calif., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Parducci Winery and its parent company, Mendocino Wine Company (MWC), received the 2007 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in the categ...
November 20, 2007
FREMONT – Assembly Member Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) racked up perfect scores on two scorecards analyzing legislators’ votes on key environmental and consumer protection issues. The scorecards were developed by the California League of Conservation Voters and the Consumer Federation of California.
...
November 20, 2007
PENINSULA – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) traversed over 87 miles of his Peninsula district today spreading holiday cheer to families in need. Yee’s hybrid vehicle made a total of 16 stops in San Mateo, Burlingame, Belmont, El Granada Pacifica, Daly City, South San Francisco, and ...
November 20, 2007
Senator continues 100 percent lifetime voting record with labor union
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) continued his 100 percent lifetime voting record with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) this session as he again received t...
November 20, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, was appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women today by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles).
“This is a tremendous honor,” said Evans. “I look forward to working with the Co...
November 19, 2007
HANFORD – Assemblymember Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford) today announced the kick-off of “Operation Gobble,” a program to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to local families in need.
In what has become an annual tradition for the 30th Assembly District, Assemblymember Parra plans to give away approximatel...
November 19, 2007
LOS ANGELES—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Los Angeles City Attorney Rockard J. Delgadillo today sued twenty companies for manufacturing or selling toys with “unlawful quantities of lead.”
Commenting on the lawsuit which was filed today in Alameda County Superior Court, Atto...
November 17, 2007
Solano Transportation Authority names Wolk State Elected Official of the Year.
SOLANO–The Solano Transportation Authority (STA) named Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) its State Elected Official of the Year at the 10th Annual STA Awards ceremony in Vallejo Wednesday. This is Wolk’s second year ...
November 17, 2007
Attached is a memo from Assemblywoman Lieber to her colleagues regarding legislation to require tugboat escorts for vessels carrying hazardous materials within California’s harbors. The Sher bill (SB 1480) which was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004 would have authorized escorts--our bill w...
November 17, 2007
Barona Education Grant given to Magnolia High for groundbreaking classroom strategy.
Anaheim – This week Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) joined with the Barona Tribe of Mission Indians to congratulate Magnolia High School for receiving an education grant recognizing their “outside the bo...
November 17, 2007
Members of Congress blast administration for anti-Iran rhetoric.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel) convened a Friday morning press conference in the Capitol Building to respond to recent anti-Iran rhetoric emanating from the White House. He was joined by five Members of Congress who h...
November 17, 2007
“Operation Gobble” at Garden Grove Community Meeting Center.
Garden Grove – Friday morning, Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) joined with Golden State Water Company and over a dozen community organizations to distribute 100 turkeys for Thanksgiving.
“Charities, foundations and philan...
November 17, 2007
Summit Focused on Solving Statewide Achievement Gap.
Sacramento, CA (November 16, 2007) – Assemblyman Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) announced that he took part in a five-member legislative panel at State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell’s Achievement Gap Summit on Tuesday.
D...
November 17, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) received a 100 percent from the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) in its 2007 legislative scorecard for supporting key environmental legislation this year.
“The beauty of our environment defines our quality of life in Ca...
November 15, 2007
More Than 100,000 Californians Join Coalition to Support the New Indian Gaming Agreements.
SACRAMENTO - A report released yesterday from the state Legislative Analyst’s Office states that the referendum effort undertaken by self-interested parties - a Las Vegas casino owner and other gamblin...
November 15, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO--California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today hailed the 9th Circuit’s decision striking down national automobile mileage standards, calling it a “stunning rebuke” to the Bush administration's failed energy policies.
Commenting on the decision Attorney General Brown said, “...
November 15, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) received a 100% rating from the California Chamber of Commerce for 2007 according to the organization’s recently released report card. The report, available online for viewing at www.calchamber.com, is published to help local Chambers of Com...
November 15, 2007
Executive order suspends fishing in waterways near San Francisco and San Mateo County
SAN FRANCISCO/SAN MATEO – Reiterating the Governor’s executive order, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) urged residents to avoid fishing in Peninsula area bay and ocean waters while environment...
Assemblymember Portantino Declares Victory Against Inappropriate and Untimely UC Chancellor Salary R
November 15, 2007
Los Angeles, CA -- Assemblymember Portantino, Chairman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, made the following remarks in response to the actions taken by the UC Board of Regents yesterday:
“In light of intense public pressure, intense media scrutiny, and outrage from students and staff...
November 15, 2007
UC plans to hike top administrators pay before implementation of Yee’s legislation.
SACRAMENTO – After a meeting closed to the public, University of California (UC) Board of Regents announced plans Tuesday night to immediately hike all executive salaries 5 percent and as much as 33 perc...
November 13, 2007
OAKLAND—At the 113th annual meeting of the California State Association of Counties, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today challenged supervisors representing the fifty-eight counties of California to “combat global warming through green buildings, alternative energy and wise land use rules.”
...
November 13, 2007
Only private school in the county to receive the designation.
Newport Beach – On Thursday, November 15, 2007, Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) will join with Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) to present a resolution on behalf of the State Assembly congratulating Mariners Elementary Scho...
Perata Announces Legislation to Speed Oil Spill Cleanups, Strengthen Regional Boards that Protect Cl
November 13, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) announced today he will introduce legislation to improve state efforts to prevent oil spills, clean them up and punish those responsible.
The state is ill-prepared to deal with oil spills because the Governor has failed to make import...
November 13, 2007
ANAHEIM, Calif. - (November 12, 2007) - Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle was one of three outstanding leaders presented with the 2007 Mobility 21 Transportation Awards at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Sixth Annual Mobility 21 Transportation Summit last week. The award is g...
November 10, 2007
Opponents strongly support community colleges but say the flawed initiative contains no accountability and will ultimately hurt, not help, California.
Sacramento – A growing coalition of education, business, community and taxpayer groups has announced they have joined forces to oppose Propositi...
November 10, 2007
WASHINGTON D.C.—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today joined sixteen states in petitioning Congress to “back California’s fight against global warming,” and protect the state’s motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions law from federal preemption.
In a letter sent a letter to Senate ...
November 10, 2007
On November 7, the California College Democrats waged a statewide, single-day voter registration blitz on 23 college campuses. Over 1,700 students were registered in a single day, meaning that over 5,000 new voters have been registered by the California College Democrats since September.
Wh...
November 10, 2007
UC plans to hike top administrators pay before implementation of Yee’s legislation.
SACRAMENTO – It may sound like a broken record, but actually it is yet another plan for an executive pay hike for University of California (UC) top executives. UC Regents are scheduled at their next meeting ...
November 10, 2007
Community Renewal Summit – November 16, 2007.
ONTARIO, CA – State legislators are hosting a Statewide Summit where community and business leaders will make presentations on job creation, homeownership, and improving the quality of life in the Inland Empire and in other communities throughout...
November 09, 2007
On November 7, the California College Democrats waged a statewide, single-day voter registration blitz on 23 college campuses. Over 1,700 students were registered in a single day, meaning that over 5,000 new voters have been registered by the California College Democrats since September.
Wh...
November 08, 2007
Event focuses on economic development, education and job training; former Harlem Globetrotter Tracy A. Williams to speak.
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) will host local and statewide community and ...
November 08, 2007
WASHINGTON D.C. — In a precedent setting lawsuit, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued the U.S. EPA, to force the agency to take action on California’s request to curb greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. The lawsuit, filed today in W...
November 06, 2007
Senator Yee’s legislation among the reforms needed at the university
SACRAMENTO – The California State Auditor today released a critical report of the California State University’s (CSU) executive compensation policies, further confirming what lawmakers, students, and faculty members have be...
November 06, 2007
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Portantino, Chairman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee and one of three Assemblymembers to request an audit of CSU’s compensation policies and practices, issued the following statement to the California State Auditor Report entitled “California State Universi...
November 06, 2007
LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued PacifiStaff, a Southern California corporation that trained construction companies to violate workers’ compensation laws by the use of “fake corporations with phantom executives.” Today’s lawsuit comes on the heels of an underg...
November 05, 2007
Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality Release 2007 Legislative Report Card.
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) received a 100 percent rating on the annual Legislative Report Card issued by Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), continuing h...
November 05, 2007
(Sacramento) –Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) is pleased to announce that he has received the “2007 Senate Small Business Legislator of the Year” award from the California Small Business Association (CSBA) and the California Small Business Roundtable (CSBR). The esteemed award is given each year t...
November 05, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez has appointed Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) to serve on the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security.
The Committee, which includes members from both the California State Assembly and Senate, was formed ...
November 04, 2007
Legislative ‘Scorecard’ Shows Lawmaker’s Support for Family Farms.
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Guy Houston (R – San Ramon) announced Friday that he scored a perfect 9 out of 9 on the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Family Farms Scorecard voting record, showing strong support for the family ...
November 04, 2007
SACRAMENTO – What many have called the most violent video game ever produced may actually be significantly more violent than even originally thought. Less than one day after the North American release of Rockstar Games’ Manhunt 2, it is being reported that the game, which was rated Mature (M) and a...
November 04, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) will be holding a press conference Tuesday, November 6 at 9:30 AM in the Governor’s Press Conference Room 1190 in the State Capitol to announce Assembly Bill 1215, his measure to create penalties for drugged drivers. A hearing in the Assembl...
November 04, 2007
Vacaville forum part of on-going legislative effort to spotlight issue.
VACAVILLE—Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) is inviting local families to participate in a community meeting in Vacaville this Thursday to discuss the challenges of balancing work and family.
“Today, many families in...
November 04, 2007
DUARTE, CA – Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) hosted an identity theft conference today at the Duarte Community Center. A panel of experts from several state agencies provided critical information to the public about protection against identity theft and fraud.
T...
November 02, 2007
LOS ANGELES—Citing the threat of a “shadowy, underground economy,” California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sued the Brinas Corporation, a Los Angeles drywall contractor that unlawfully forced its employees to work without the benefit of legally mandated conditions.
“The company exp...
November 02, 2007
Senator Earns Perfect Score From Taxpayers Association.
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is pleased to report that he has earned a perfect score from California’s oldest watchdog on tax and other public finance issues. Aanestad received a 100% scorecard and rating from the C...
November 02, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee announced today that the Governor signed several of his bills into law.
“I am very pleased the Governor saw the merits of many of...
November 02, 2007
SACRAMENTO – What many have called the most violent video game ever produced may actually be significantly more violent than even originally thought. Less than one day after the North American release of Rockstar Games’ Manhunt 2, it is being reported that the game, which was originally rated Matur...
October 31, 2007
Federal and State court rulings create a moratorium on use of lethal injection procedure.
(Sacramento, CA) – Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) reacted today to two court decisions issued yesterday which effectively ban the use of the lethal injection procedure in California.
...
October 31, 2007
Legislative ‘Report Card’ Shows Lawmaker’s Support for Hard-Working Taxpayers.
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) has said many times that he would protect the rights of taxpayers while in Sacramento.
Now the Inland Empire senator has the record to prove it. The Califo...
October 30, 2007
Less than a year on the job, Assemblymember receives accolades for his efforts on behalf of working families.
PASADENA, CA – With the first year of the legislative session behind him, Assemblymember Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) was named “Freshman of the Year” by the Faculty Associa...
October 30, 2007
Gets top grade for votes on issues including food safety, healthcare reform.
SACRAMENTO–The Consumer Federation of California (CFC) announced yesterday that Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) earned 100 percent on its 2007 Consumer Scorecard for State Lawmakers, which grades legislators for thei...
66th Assembly District Wildland Fire Update for Northern San Diego County & Western Riverside County
October 30, 2007
(Sources: CDF Fire Information officers and discussions between Assemblyman Jeffries and local Fire Chiefs)
I’m hoping this will be the last Wildland Fire update for the 2007 fire season. Almost all of the San Diego portions of the 66th Assembly District were evacuated at one point or anoth...
October 30, 2007
Game maker uses holiday to release graphically violent video game.
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), the author of California’s law attempting to prohibit the sale of extremely violent video games to minors, today urged parents to avoid purchasing Manhunt 2...
October 30, 2007
MERCED – The California Taxpayers’ Association released their legislative report card yesterday grading Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) with a perfect score for voting in-line with taxpayers. Denham was one of thirty lawmakers between the Senate and Assembly to earn this honor.
“I am proud an...
October 30, 2007
Legislative ‘Report Card’ Shows Lawmaker’s Support for Hard-Working Taxpayers.
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Guy Houston (R – San Ramon) announced Monday that he scored a perfect 100 percent on the California Taxpayers’ Association legislative voting record, showing strong support for the taxpaye...
October 30, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) received an “A+” rating from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association for 2007, according to the organization’s recently released report card. The report card, available online for viewing at www.hjta.org/report_card, rates legislators on the...
October 28, 2007
Representatives from University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges gather to assist prospective students.
EAGLE ROCK, CA – Assembly Higher Education Chairman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) hosted a half-day college workshop yesterday fo...
October 26, 2007
The California Young Democrats are calling on all Californians to keep on the look out for blatantly racist and insensitive events put on by conservative groups. There’s nothing scarier than California’s College Republican groups thinking that it is OK to alienate and marginalize an entire group of...
October 25, 2007
Strengthens communities by making it easier to establish altruistic organizations.
(Sacramento)- Legislation authored by Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) making it easier and more efficient for charitable non profits in California to be formed has been signed by Governor Schwarzenegger....
October 25, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security released the following statement today regarding the on-going efforts of California’s first responders:
All of us want to commend the efforts of our first responders during this c...
October 24, 2007
(Washington, DC) – In response to the Senate vote today to confirm Judge Leslie Southwick to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement criticizing the vote and:
“Judge Southwick’s confirmation today is a strike against our nation’s ...
October 24, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) has announced that state and local officials are offering assistance to small businesses affected by the wildfires that have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres throughout Southern California.
According to Michael J. Gonzalez, deputy to t...
October 24, 2007
An announcement regarding the “Human Right Torch Relay” will be made tomorrow, Thursday, October 25, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in Pasadena by officials representing the Global Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR), an international organization that seeks to bring an end to all human rights abuses against peopl...
October 24, 2007
Dr. Giovanna Brasfield aims not only to make a difference on the Compton School Board, but to also financially empower her community.
The City of Compton is rapidly emerging as an economic powerhouse and it is critical that the businesses within prepare for the future while “Birthing a New ...
October 23, 2007
Community honors Wolk for “tireless work” to improve safety on Highway 12.
SACRAMENTO–The Highway 12 Association honored Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) late last week for her “tireless work” to develop a Highway 12 safety package with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) a...
October 23, 2007
As many of you are aware, more than a dozen wildfires in Southern California have been burning out of control since Sunday. These fires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres, destroyed hundreds of homes and have caused the evacuation of more than 250,000 people from throughout a seven county ...
October 23, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Disaster relief legislation for victims of the fires presently burning throughout the state was announced today by Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security.
The Governor has officially proclaimed seven states of emergency...
October 22, 2007
Yee’s Commitment to Women’s Rights and Reproductive Health Earns Top Rating
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) earned a 100% pro-choice rating on the recently released NARAL Pro-Choice California Legislative Scorecard. Yee’s commitment to women’s rights and reproduc...
October 22, 2007
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who last week led a group of 89 House members in writing to the President to state their commitment to only providing funding for the redeployment of troops from Iraq, issued the following statement in response to the $196 billion supplemental spending r...
October 22, 2007
Senior advocacy group awards Assemblywoman perfect score on voting scorecard.
SACRAMENTO–The California Alliance for Retired Americans announced today that Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) earned a 100 percent on its scorecard reviewing state legislators’ votes on bills important to seniors an...
October 22, 2007
SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 868, which addresses a concern that consumers may be paying more for fuel under the current reference temperature of 60 degrees due to California’s warmer climate. The bill was sponsored by Assemblymember Mike Davis.
AB 868 requi...
October 19, 2007
Aanestad Legislation Means Greater Access to Dental Care in California.
SACRAMENTO: Governor Schwarzenegger took recent action to improve access to dental care in California by signing SB 238 into law. The measure, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), will improve access to nee...
October 19, 2007
SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 868 (Davis) which addresses a concern that consumers may be paying more for fuel under the current reference temperature of 60 degrees due to California’s warmer climate.
AB 868 requires the California Energy Commission -- in part...
October 19, 2007
LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the arrest of four suspects involved in a $1.5 million “fake healthcare clinic” scam. The suspects created a health clinic and recruited people to undergo unnecessary medical tests, with the sole purpose of filing false cl...
October 19, 2007
Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D- San Diego) announced today that Senate Bill (SB) 391 was signed by the Governor. This legislation will make important reforms to the state’s system of parole aimed at increasing success rates for parolees and reducing future incarceration costs.
SB 391 will...
October 18, 2007
(Sacramento, CA) – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 76 by Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) requiring the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to develop a master plan for incarcerated women and enact gender-appropriate policies to ensur...
October 18, 2007
Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D - San Diego) announced today the approval of Senate Bill (SB) 306. SB 306 is one Senator Ducheny’s six legislative proposals signed by the Governor at the constitutional deadline to sign or veto legislation.
SB 306 will provide critical safety net hospitals ...
October 18, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, has announced the following appointments:
Deborah Schoenbaum, a Democrat from Novato, has been approved as an alternate to Mary Shallenberger, a member of the California Coastal Commission. Each member selec...
October 18, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and the Assembly Transportation Committee joined the California Highway Patrol to announce today at a press conference at the CHP Conejo Inspection Facility in Ventura County that new...
October 18, 2007
Aanestad Legislation Provides Additional Flexibility for Students and Teachers.
SACRAMENTO: Governor Schwarzenegger has given his signature of approval to legislation authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), which will give Charter Schools the flexibility to pay teachers in ten, el...
Assemblyman Guy Houston's Legislation to Streamline Emergency and Disaster Relief Signed by Governor
October 18, 2007
Will benefit disaster victims with quicker, more effective response.
(Sacramento)- Legislation authored by Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon) making it easier and more efficient for nonprofits and government to work together in times of emergency and disaster has been signed by Governor S...
October 18, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) announced that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed AB 808. Assemblymember Todd Spitzer (R-Orange) was a principal co-sponsor. Assemblymember Spitzer’s former Chief of Staff was killed by a drunk driver in 2006. The bill moved easily through the S...
October 18, 2007
SANTA ANA – Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at a press conference today to announce the signing of AB 1658 into law, a bill that increases penalties for underage drinking and the manufacturing of fraudulent identification cards.
“I am excited ...
October 18, 2007
Measure Would Limit Tax Deduction on Executive Pay Over 25 Times Least Paid Worker.
(Washington, DC) – With the gap between the rich and poor reaching its widest point in 70 years, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today introduced legislation designed to close the pay gap between executi...
October 18, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a measure that would provide incentives for developers to use sustainable building methods in their projects.
Assembly Bill 1460 will add bonus points to applications for funds under the state’s Multifamily Housing Program that include s...
October 18, 2007
SB 449 Will Protect Identities of Sexual Abuse Victims.
SACRAMENTO: SB 449, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), is now law in California after receiving the signature of Governor Schwarzenegger over the weekend. The measure expands the list of exemptions from the California Pu...
October 18, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) today sent the following letter to the Governor:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor:
A water crisis is upon us. Within a few weeks, millions of Californians...
October 18, 2007
Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) Organizes Artists Sign-On Letter as Part of Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) HIV Prevention Advocacy Coalition.
LOS ANGELES -- Last week, 39 celebrity activists and Artists for a New South Africa issued a letter to members of Congress, urging the...
October 17, 2007
89 HOUSE MEMBERS PUT PRESIDENT ON NOTICE OVER IRAQ FUNDS.
Washington, DC - As public opposition to President Bush’s failed Iraq policy continues to mount, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) led a bi-partisan group of 89 House Members in sending a letter to President Bush to inform him that the...
October 17, 2007
SACRAMENTO- As the 2007 legislative session reaches conclusion, Governor Schwarzenegger has signed two more bills by Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa).
Assembly Bill 383 reforms the billing process related to orthodontic procedures under California’s Denti-Cal program (the dental component...
October 17, 2007
GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION CONNECTING MORE WORKING FAMILIES WITH NATION’S LARGEST ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM.
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-San Jose), Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly, commended Governor Schwarzenegger today for his action in signing Assembly...
October 17, 2007
AB 1548 Makes Controlling College Textbook Prices A Shared Responsibility And Brings Sunshine To The Pricing and Marketing of College Textbooks.
SACRAMENTO, CA ¨C Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 1548, authored by Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), which would curb the dramati...
October 17, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) called on the Governor today to explain how his administration will handle the elimination of the California Dental Board, which will sunset July 1, 2008, as a result of his veto of SB 534.
The board is now set to become a bureau unde...
October 16, 2007
(Santa Ana) - Popular Orange County Supervisor and former GOP Legislator Pat Bates is pleased to announce her endorsement for 71st Assembly District front-runner Neil Blais. She joins AD 71 incumbent Todd Spitzer, Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman, Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona, Orange Cou...
October 15, 2007
Assemblywoman Ma’s AB 1108 makes California the first state in the country to ban dangerous toxic chemicals in toys.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed landmark legislation, AB 1108, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), which makes California the first st...
October 15, 2007
AB 668, authored by Assembly Higher Education Chair will help California shed its “donor state” status when it comes to federal Pell grants.
Sacramento –The Governor signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino aimed at increasing the amount of federal student financial a...
October 15, 2007
(Sacramento) – Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 159, Assemblyman Dave Jones' legislation giving the Governor 50 new judicial appointments to help ease the state's overburdened justice system.
Upon learning of the Governor's approval of the bill, Jones commented: "California's judicial syste...
October 15, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill Friday that would allow the City of Sacramento to proceed with redeveloping the 240 acre Downtown Railyards, and the Docks area development.
Assembly Bill 1219 would have authorized the State Department of Parks and Recreation to sell to t...
October 15, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford), today, announced that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed AB 1359. Parra introduced AB 1359 at the request of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB), a coalition of California business, labor and public leaders seeki...
October 15, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a self-funded plan by Sen. Jenny Oropeza to provide pharmacy technicians to work in underserved communities.
Senate Bill 615 by Oropeza, D-Long Beach, had enjoyed bipartisan support.
“Too many Californians are in dire need of better health-care...
October 15, 2007
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Sally J. Lieber (D-San Jose), Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly, commended Governor Schwarzenegger today for his action in signing Assembly Bill 1078, as an essential first step to ensure California’s lowest income workers have greater opportunity ...
October 15, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Senator Michael J. Machado (D-Linden) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill (SB) 719. Machado introduced SB 719 because San Joaquin Valley residents endure some of the worst air quality in the nation.
SB 719 increases the San Joaquin Valley Uni...
October 15, 2007
New laws bring transparency to UC/CSU, improve public safety, assist children, protect workers.
SACRAMENTO – With Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) concluding the legislative bill signing period this past weekend, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) had eleven pieces ...
October 15, 2007
Washington, dc – The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (H.R. 1727) was passed today by the House of Representatives by voice vote. The bill, authored by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-CA) and Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) will imp...
October 15, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Over the weekend, the Governor vetoed priority health and human services legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus. AB 1429 would have required health plans and insurers to cover the cost of vaccinating young women ...
October 14, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) issued the following statement after the Governor vetoed AB 8:
“Although expected, the Governor’s veto today of responsible health care reform was a disappointment. The legislation was a sound, workable way to extend coverage to ...
October 14, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) applauded the Governor’s approval of Assembly Bill 394, a measure designed to strengthen the state’s ability to keep schools safe and fight bias and harassment in the classroom.
“I am extremely pleased by the Governor’s decision to sign A...
October 14, 2007
Governor signs bill to truncate SSNs in public records. In recent poll, consumers want SSNs kept confidential.
Sacramento – California became less hospitable to identity thieves with the governor’s signature of a bill to rid public records of social security numbers. Governor Schwarzenegg...
October 14, 2007
SIDES WITH BIG BUSINESS OVER COPS, D.A.s, AND CONSUMERS; VETO MEANS CREDIT CARD FRAUD AND ID THEFT WILL CONTINUE UNABATED; BILL HAD RECEIVED OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
SACRAMENTO – In an action that angered and shocked supporters, a bipartisan bill by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D – S...
October 14, 2007
SACRAMENTO – In a setback for Californians looking for affordable housing, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed Assembly Bill 414 by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D- Sacramento) which would have ensured that jurisdictions honestly zone for affordable housing in the planning process.
Increasingly, ju...
October 14, 2007
Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember Pedro Nava’s legislation to protect the last remaining California condors was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday.
“I want to commend the Governor for signing this legislation to save the California condor,” said Nava. “The Governor chose to do the right ...
October 14, 2007
Technology will be a crucial tool for law enforcement to solve handgun crime.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – AB 1471, authored by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday. The legislation, entitled the Crime Gun Identification Act, requires that begi...
October 12, 2007
AB 1300 Prevents Juvenile Recidivism by Promoting Family Ties, Rehabilitation and Education
SACRAMENTO, October 11, 2007 – An official signing ceremony was held at San Bernadino High School today for AB 1300, The Family Connection and Juvenile Offender Rehabilitation Act of 2007, authored by Ass...
October 12, 2007
Statement From California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. Regarding Search Warrants Executed Today In Connection With The Death Of Anna Nicole Smith:
“The California Department of Justice today served search warrants at various doctors’ offices, billing locations, and residences in both Los...
October 12, 2007
White House Political Interference Blocking Waiver Approval.
Washington, D.C – The California Democratic Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Stephen Johnson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging him to put aside political interference from the White House ...
October 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO - The Governor signed a measure today that would require that data and scores generated by the Energy Star system, which measures energy efficiency, be disclosed when an existing commercial building is put up for sale or lease, or when it is financed or refinanced.
The Energy St...
October 12, 2007
Governor Schwarzenegger today signed a package of legislation furthering his commitment to energy efficiency, conservation and pollution reduction.
"California is a world leader in improving technologies and promoting conservation while protecting our environment," said Governor Schwarzenegg...
October 12, 2007
New law, result of the lawsuit's settlement, provides for two years of remediation classes and important new resources to help students pass the exit exam after high school.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill into law today inte...
October 12, 2007
Governor signs Yee’s Higher Education Governance Accountability Act.
SACRAMENTO – Legislation written in response to the recent executive pay scandals at the University of California and the California State University was signed into law today by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angele...
October 12, 2007
Annual event focuses on Forest Management.
(Sonora, CA) Today, Senator Cogdill (R-Modesto) hosted the Seventh Annual Natural Resources Summit at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, in Sonora, California. He was joined by prominent figures in the area of forestry management. The popular event was ...
October 12, 2007
AB 102 allows a man to take a woman’s last name and domestic partners to choose the name of their choice
SACRAMENTO, CA– Today Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 102—the Name Equality Act of 2007, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco). The landmark legislation would allo...
October 12, 2007
Veto sanctions the Trustee’s irresponsible actions.
Sacramento – Despite growing criticism from students, faculty, and lawmakers over the policies and practices of Board of Trustees at the California State University (CSU), Governor Schwarzenegger today vetoed a key piece of legislation that...
October 11, 2007
Sacramento, CA -Assemblymember Pedro today extended an invitation to Governor Schwarzenegger to come to Santa Barbara to sign AB 821, the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act.
Nava said, “It is an honor to be here today at the Santa Barbara Zoo for groundbreaking of a site that will house a Califo...
October 11, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) was one of several Senate Republicans to introduce legislation yesterday that will expand the availability and affordability of health care to all Californians.
Senator Dutton and the other Republican Senators introduced the 24-bill package y...
October 11, 2007
Yee’s bill will lower rates, increase competition, cover more workers, study 1990s insolvencies.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) has signed legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) which is expected to lower workers compensation insur...
October 11, 2007
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Chaired by Assembly member Nicole Parra (D-Hanford), introduced five bills in 2007 that have been signed by the Governor. These Committee bills were authored by most or all of the Committee Members, and dealt with a variety of issues from brand in...
October 11, 2007
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 1585, a bill authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose), which outlaws the use of gift certificates, gift cards, and similar offers that allow cigarette companies to distribute free samples, has been signed by Governor Schwarzenegger.
“We ha...
October 11, 2007
Legislation requires bike lights to be used on sidewalks and other pathways used by bicycles.
SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) announced today that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed her legislation to improve transportation safety by requiring bicyclists to use lights on sid...
October 10, 2007
(Washington, DC) – On the fifth Anniversary of the House vote to authorize the use of force against Iraq, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) called on colleagues in Congress to support efforts to use the appropriations process to end the Bush administration’s policy in Iraq, citing new national p...
October 10, 2007
Bills provides better planning, higher standards for flood protection
SACRAMENTO- Early today at a ceremony in Sacramento, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a landmark package of legislation to strengthen flood protection in California, including two bills by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-...
October 10, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a “groundbreaking settlement” with AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular) that will prohibit the cell phone carrier from charging customers for any calls made after their phones are lost or stolen. Brown alleged that the com...
October 10, 2007
Yee, Nurses Call on Sutter Health to Protect Patient Care
SAN FRANCISCO/BURLINGAME – In an effort to improve patient care standards, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) joined thousands of registered nurses (RN) today at St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco as part of a two-day st...
October 10, 2007
MERCED – An official with the State Department of Finance today announced what Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) had predicted during the summer budget stalemate: revenues were overly optimistic and next year’s deficit is ballooning. The Controller’s office had made a similar announcement several mont...
October 10, 2007
AB 702 (Portantino) will protect consumers and classic live musical performers from deceptive imposter groups.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the Governor signed legislation aimed at curbing the deceptive and misleading practices of phony live musical performers. Beginning January 1, 2008, it will ...
October 10, 2007
Sacramento, CA – California State Assemblymember Dr. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) saw his bill to help continue groundwater cleanup in the San Gabriel Valley signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger today.
“This bill is essential to the San Gabriel Valley having its own source of safe, cle...
October 10, 2007
SACRAMENTO – In a move that makes California the third state in the nation to ban smoking in cars with minors, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed into law Senate Bill 7 by Sen. Jenny Oropeza.
“Protecting the health of our children is among government’s highest responsibilities,” O...
October 10, 2007
AB 101, Authored by Assemblywoman Ma and Sponsored by Mayor Newsom will improve MUNI reliability, keeps San Francisco a transit-first city.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation today that will improve the efficiency of San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni). The...
October 09, 2007
EAST PALO ALTO – California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr., community leaders and regional law enforcement officials today announced the completion of Project Safe Neighborhood, a nine-month multi-agency “crime crackdown and citizen mobilization” aimed at curbing a wave of violence plaguing th...
October 09, 2007
Senator Dutton Believes Permanent Fixes Are Needed to Address Deficit.
SACRAMENTO – Since his arrival in Sacramento in 2002, the single biggest priority for Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) has been to bring California’s structural budget deficit under control permanently.
Senator Dutt...
October 08, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Senator Michael J. Machado (D-Linden), Chair of the Senate Banking, Finance & Insurance Committee, announced Friday that Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill (SB) 223. Machado introduced SB 223 in February, as part of a broad-based response to the problems pervading Califor...
October 08, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Senator Michael J. Machado (D-Linden), Chair of the Senate Banking, Finance & Insurance Committee, announced Friday that Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill (SB) 385. Machado introduced SB 385 in February, in response to rising delinquencies and foreclosures among Californ...
October 08, 2007
New law will help alleviate overcrowding at emergency rooms.
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) had two more bills signed into law Friday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles). One bill will help alleviate overcrowding at hospital emergency rooms while a...
October 08, 2007
New Law Will Improve Access to Courts, Reduce Litigation Costs.
Sacramento, Calif. – A Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) sponsored-bill designed to increase court telephonic appearances was signed Friday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. AB 500 by Assembly Member Ted Lieu (D-Torranc...
October 05, 2007
SACRAMENTO - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today released the details of a settlement that requires Kern and Santa Cruz counties to improve accessibility to polling places. Each settlement requires the counties to upgrade polling facilities, employ an architectural consultant, and provide add...
October 05, 2007
Senator Yee continues fighting for children with mental illness.
SACRAMENTO – The California Psychiatric Association (CPA) today honored Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) with their “Profile in Courage” award in recognition of his willingness to address difficult and critical is...
October 03, 2007
Coalition Says Lower-Income Valley Community Deserves Same Protections as More Affluent Neighborhoods.
Los Angeles – Community Advocates for Responsible Expansion of Providence Holy Cross Hospital (CARE) brought a large contingent of members to City Hall on Tuesday and urged the City Council ...
October 03, 2007
Bill will be Senator Leland Yee’s first legislative action of next session.
SACRAMENTO – After a major crash on 19th Avenue left a 21-year-old woman dead and others injured yesterday, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) announced today that his first legislative action of the next...
October 03, 2007
Award to be Presented Today at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History for
Nava’s Condor Protection Legislation.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2007) – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest animal protection organization with more than 10 million supporters, i...
October 03, 2007
Committee to hold first informational hearing tomorrow on state’s water issues.
SACRAMENTO–Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) yesterday appointed Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to head The Assembly Special Committee on Water, formed to review key issues surrounding California’s ...
October 03, 2007
LOS ANGELES – Citing the “threat of global climate disruption,” California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today joined three national environmental organizations in petitioning the United States Environmental Protection Agency to adopt strict greenhouse gas regulations for ocean-going vessels....
October 03, 2007
Legislators urge Governor to sign bills to bring transparency and accountability to UC, CSU.
SACRAMENTO – Students, faculty, and staff of the University of California and the California State University joined Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino ...
October 01, 2007
RIVERSIDE – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) will host a series of two State Bond Funding Workshops to help local governments in Riverside County compete for bond funds made available by last November’s passage of Propositions 1C, 1E, and 84.
The first workshop will be co-hosted ...
October 01, 2007
(Sacramento, CA) – New data showing increased levels of toxic flame retardants in the San Francisco Bay underline the need to end the use of decabromodiphenyl ether (or decaBDE), Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) said today.
Lieber is the author of a bill, Assembly Bill 513,...
October 01, 2007
Wolk bill creates double fine zone on dangerous stretch of “Blood Alley”
SUISUN CITY– State and local elected officials today held a press conference in Suisun City to announce that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 112, legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to im...
September 28, 2007
Senator Dutton Pleased With Negotiations.
SACRAMENTO – One of the priorities of Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) since coming to Sacramento in 2002 has been to address California’s water needs, not only to make sure today’s residents have an adequate water supply, but there is enough water ...
September 27, 2007
Legislation authorizes more than $106 million for local flood protection projects.
SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) today applauded the approval this week of a federal measure authorizing $23 billion in water projects for flood protection and environmental protection, including $1.3...
September 27, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Assembly Bill 1585, a bill authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose), which outlaws the use of gift certificates, gift cards, and similar offers that allow cigarette companies to distribute free samples, has been approved by the Legislature and awaits action...
September 26, 2007
Call on Governor to Sign Two Reform Bills – SB 190 and AB 1413.
SACRAMENTO – A new report released today by the California Faculty Association (CFA) and Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) reveals that the California State University (CSU) administration is wasting millions of taxpa...
September 26, 2007
LOS ANGELES – Halting the “anticompetitive effects” of a merger between the nation’s two largest school bus operators, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a settlement with First Group, plc (also known as First Student) and Laidlaw Educational Services. Under the terms of...
September 26, 2007
Common Interest Open Meeting Act Protects Homeowner Rights.
SACRAMENTO: SB 528 from Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is now law in California after receiving the signature of approval from Governor Schwarzenegger earlier today. The Aanestad measure, which received unanimous support in t...
September 26, 2007
Law will allow judges to order unemployed obligors to seek work.
SACRAMENTO – Another bill authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) addressing a local need was signed into law today by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles). Senate Bill (SB) 523 (Chapter 249), legi...
September 26, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-CA-45) yesterday voted to increase funding for the popular and effective SCHIP program which provides low-income children vitally important health insurance coverage. The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 976, the Children's Health Insurance P...
September 25, 2007
"Financial Football" Money Management Video Game is a Free Tool to Improve the Financial Literacy of California High School Students.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tackling head-on the problem of financial illiteracy among California teenagers, California State Superintende...
September 25, 2007
New routes could result in 1,400 new jobs, millions of dollars to region’s economy.
SACRAMENTO – After calls from the State Legislature, the US Department of Transportation today announced awards for service of United Airlines flights between California and China. The daily, non-stop servic...
September 24, 2007
Senator Yee urges Governor’s signature of bill to net San Mateo $300,000 a year in new revenue.
SACRAMENTO – A raw deal regarding education funding for San Mateo and Marin counties may finally come to an end due to a bill pending before Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles).
Spec...
September 24, 2007
Public Safety Package Sent To Governor’s Desk.
Sacramento – Three public safety bills authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R – Lancaster) passed the Legislature during the last two weeks of session and were sent to the Governor to be signed into law.
“From fighting real estate fraud...
September 24, 2007
Zaca Fire Included.
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security announced today that disaster relief legislation for those affected by California Wildfires was signed by the Governor.
AB 62 will provide much needed disa...
September 24, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) today applauded the Governor’s announced intent to sign Assembly Bill 221 by Assemblymember Joel Anderson (R- La Mesa), a measure that would create the California Public Divest from Iran Act.
The bill, which would prohibit the California ...
September 24, 2007
Bill on Governor’s desk will divest billions of dollars from Iran’s oil and defense industries.
BEVERLY HILLS, SEPTEMBER 24, 2007: Assemblymembers Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) and Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) appeared alongside Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad and co...
September 20, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today called on the University of California (UC) Board of Regents to endorse a set of principles for the next UC president issued by a coalition of students and labor unions.
“It is critical that the next president regain the public tru...
September 20, 2007
SHERMAN OAKS, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007: Assemblymembers Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) and Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) appeared with representatives from the Grossman Burn Center today to urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign legislation protecting the financial viability of burn centers.
AB 1269, jointly...
September 20, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO—California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that the Division of Gambling Control has caught, red-handed, two counterfeiters who were feeding fake $100 bills into slot machines at a Tribal Casino in Mendocino County.
Commenting on the counterfeiter’s tactics, At...
September 19, 2007
A CSU Board of Trustees subcommittee just voted to raise executive pay and proposed a new policy to raise it every year for four years. Senator Leland Yee has issued the following statement in response:
“The full Board of Trustees should immediately reject the subcommittee recommendation and n...
September 19, 2007
Riverside County C.A.R.E. and San Jacinto Police Department to Present.
SAN JACINTO – In conjunction with Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley), Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) will be hosting a forum on identity theft at the San Jacinto Community Center on Thursday, September ...
September 18, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) today announced that he has been appointed by Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines to serve on a newly-created Assembly Republican Working Group on Water Storage. Members of the working group will play an important role in shaping Rep...
September 18, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) today announced that he has been appointed by Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines to serve on a newly-created Assembly Republican Working Group on Water Storage. Members of the working group will play an important role in shaping Rep...
September 18, 2007
Bills strengthen flood protection, transportation safety, and environmental laws.
SACRAMENTO–The State Legislature approved ten bills by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) before ending its regular session last week, including her bills to strengthen flood protection planning and improve saf...
September 18, 2007
Citing an incomplete legislative audit into California State University compensation practices, Portantino urges Trustees to postpone a scheduled 12% salary increase for top executives
Sacramento – In a letter to Roberta Achtenberg, Chairwoman of the CSU Board of Trustees, Assembly Higher Educati...
September 18, 2007
The Governor’s Water Bond Measure Introduced in the Special Session on Water.
(Sacramento) – Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), along with Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman (R-Tustin), introduced a $9 billion comprehensive water infrastructure proposal in the legislative special session ...
September 18, 2007
Senator Yee says CSU Trustees have priorities in the wrong place.
SACRAMENTO – The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees appear set to approve more exorbitant pay raises for their top executives while once again hiking student fees at their first meeting of the new school year ...
September 18, 2007
RIVERSIDE – Assemblyman John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today announced the launch of an essay contest for high-school students. The contest, “There Ought To Be A Law,” is open to all high-school students, grades 9 through 12, in the 64th Assembly District. Students, especially in U.S. history an...
September 18, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) today announced the appointment of Agnes Lee as Director of the Senate Office of Research. The appointment is effective immediately. In her new role, Lee will oversee about two dozen research consultants in providing the Senate w...
September 18, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and the Assembly Transportation Committee announced today that his measure AB 1612 to improve inspection and licensing requirements for hazardous materials motor carriers passed the s...
September 18, 2007
Group to craft legislation for special session on critical water issues.
SACRAMENTO– Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) appointed Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to work with a group of legislators to craft water-related legislation to be taken up during the State Legislature’s special sess...
September 14, 2007
Yee successfully passes thirteen bills in 2007, awaits Governor’s signature.
SACRAMENTO – Before the California Legislature recessed this week, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) had successfully passed thirteen pieces of legislation in 2007, completing a highly successful first ...
September 13, 2007
Late night session finally brings life to double fine zone on deadly SF road.
SACRAMENTO – As the 2007 legislative session in Sacramento stretched into the early morning hours on Wednesday, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) scored a major victory for San Francisco pedestrians wh...
September 13, 2007
Bill Awaits Governor Schwarzenegger’s Signature.
(Sacramento) – Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon), a long time advocate for critically needed safety improvements along Vasco Road in Eastern Contra Costa County, reports that his Assembly Bill 15, which will speed up the delivery of nece...
September 13, 2007
Legislation To Assist California Families In Owning A Home.
Sacramento – Last week, the State Legislature passed AB 929, a bill that will assist the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) in continuing to provide mortgages for low- and moderate-income families to own a home.
“There ...
September 13, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Senator Roy Ashburn (R- Bakersfield) today announced the passage of Assembly Bill 941 (Torrico) which creates a uniform statewide EMT and Paramedic licensing registry. Senator Ashburn is a principal co-author of the public safety measure.
Senator Ashburn’s efforts to create statewid...
September 13, 2007
(Oakland, CA) – As President Bush prepares to announce that he will return the number of troops in Iraq to pre-surge levels by July of 2008 in a televised address to the nation, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement:
“Tonight the President will make his case for mor...
September 13, 2007
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 1689, authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) and Assemblyman Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto), has been approved by the Legislature and sent to the Governor’s desk for signature. This bill strengthens, updates, and revises the Uniform Anatomical G...
September 13, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) introduced a $5.4 billion water bond today in the newly opened special legislative session on water.
Measure SB 1XX, the Water Supply Reliability General Obligation Bond, would appropriate $2.4 billion for restoring the Sacramento-Sa...
September 13, 2007
Successes include establishing California’s first public umbilical cord blood program, maximizing California’s share of federal and state student financial aid, protecting legendary musical talent against imposters, and reforming the governance of the California State University.
Sacramento –...
September 12, 2007
Legislators Must Address Water Needs Now.
Sacramento – Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) released the following statement regarding the announcement by Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday that he has called for a special session on California’s water system:
“Water has dominated the conversa...
September 12, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The Senate passed a bill by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, to protect seniors and working families now living in mobile home parks by regulating the conversion of mobile home parks from rentals to resident ownership.
AB 1542 ...
September 12, 2007
SB 449 Protects Identities of Sexual Abuse Victims.
SACRAMENTO: SB 449, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), is one signature away from becoming law in California after receiving the unanimous support of the State Senate Monday. The measure, now on the desk of Governor Schwarze...
September 12, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO – California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced yesterday that ConocoPhillips has agreed to an “unprecedented global warming reduction plan” to off-set greenhouse gases caused by the expansion of its Northern California oil refinery.
Brown said that the oil company has ...
September 12, 2007
Legislation increases state parks, recreation opportunities in the Central Valley.
SACRAMENTO–The State Senate voted 28-8 yesterday to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to bring additional state parks and recreation opportunities to California’s Central Valley.
Wol...
September 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO – A measure authored by Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) that will save businesses who participate millions of dollars statewide and is being hailed as good for the environment, is on its way to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Senate Bill 428 puts into law an interruptible p...
September 12, 2007
State Senate Gives Final Legislative Approval to Changes Sought Under SB 345.
SACRAMENTO: The State Senate unanimously approved charter school legislation authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) yesterday, sending the education measure to Governor Schwarzenegger for his signature. ...
September 12, 2007
California & Delaware Only States That Bar Medical Procedure
(SACRAMENTO)—State Sen. Carole Migden announced yesterday that Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed her bill, SB 443, to allow women to conceive safely with an HIV-positive partner through medical technology called "assisted reproduction."
...
September 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO— Tonight, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma’s (D-San Francisco) Justice for Jockeys legislation received bipartisan support and was approved on the Assembly floor with a vote of 45-16. Assembly Bill 649, sponsored by the Jockeys’ Guild, increases the minimum riding fee for horse races to ensure tha...
September 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO – In a move that makes California the third state in the nation to ban smoking in cars with minors, the California Senate on a bipartisan vote early today sent Sen. Jenny Oropeza’s Senate Bill 7 to Gov. Schwarzenegger.
“Protecting the health of our children is among government’s highes...
September 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO—State Sen. Carole Migden’s SB 962, which would create a system for umbilical cord blood to be used by the state in an effort to accelerate worldwide research into the causes of leukemia, birth defects and a variety of medical conditions, has been sent to the Gov. for signature on a 24-14 ...
September 12, 2007
89 Percent of Americans Want Labels on Cloned Food Products.
SACRAMENTO—The State Senate has sent Senator Carole Migden’s SB 63 to the Governor for signature. SB 63 would require dairy and meat products from cloned animals that are intended for human consumption to be clearly labeled in the ev...
September 12, 2007
Legislation streamlines process to designate double fine zones on dangerous highways.
SACRAMENTO– Early this morning the State Legislature approved legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help improve safety on highways throughout the state, including a stretch of State Highway Rout...
September 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO –The Legislature sent Governor Schwarzenegger landmark legislation today aimed at reducing toxic electronic waste in the state’s landfills.
The bill’s author, Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) said that, while current state law requires the phase-out of toxic substances in ele...
September 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO - The California State Assembly passed a measure today that would require that data and scores generated by the Energy Star system must be disclosed when a nonresidential building is put up for sale or lease, or when it is financed or refinanced. The bill goes to the Governor for his sig...
September 12, 2007
Pneumococcus, cause of death for one million children each year, to become required vaccination.
SACRAMENTO – The California Legislature today sent Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) a bill to combat a disease that globally kills over one million children each year. Senate Bill ...
September 12, 2007
Conflicts of interest prompt legislation to give workers vote on pensions.
SACRAMENTO – This week both houses of the California Legislature approved legislation calling for shared governance of the University of California employee’s pension plan.
Approved with bipartisan support, Senate...
September 12, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Late last night, the State Legislature passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, to protect the rights of the developmentally disabled and their families when care decisions are made.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1402 pa...
September 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO – In response to today’s District Court decision in Vermont, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. renewed his vow to “haul the Bush administration into court” if the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refuses to grant California’s request to impose tough emissi...
September 12, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Late last night, the State Legislature passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, to help provide a safety net to severely disabled foster youth reaching adulthood.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1331 passed with an Assembl...
September 12, 2007
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and the Assembly Transportation Committee announced that his legislative package passed the state legislature yesterday with overwhelming bipartisan support and now goes to the Govern...
September 12, 2007
Sacramento – Last week, the State Legislature unanimously passed AB 1020, a bill that provides County Recorders with the legal tools necessary to effectively carry out their duties and clarifies when a change of ownership occurs during foreclosure proceedings.
“I am proud to be the author of thi...
Bill to Establish State's First Public Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Program Clears State Legislature
September 12, 2007
California can lead the fight for thousands of patients with blood-related illness such as leukemia and sickle cell anemia if Governor signs AB 34.
Sacramento – Early Wednesday morning, by a unanimous vote, the Assembly approved Assembly Bill 34, authored by Assemblymember Portantino (D – La...
September 12, 2007
AB 101 helps Mayor improve MUNI reliability, keeps San Francisco a transit-first city.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Early this morning on the Assembly Floor, legislation was passed to improve the efficiency of San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni). The legislation, Assembly Bill 101, passed with overwh...
September 12, 2007
Legislation would help businesses in California.
(Sacramento) Shortly before closing session for the year, Senate Bill 929 was approved by both houses of the Legislature. SB 929 addresses two issues of importance to businesses in California, both of which were supported by both the bus...
September 11, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Landmark legislation to improve state flood protection and require local governments to set standards for building in flood zones passed the Senate Friday and was sent to the Governor.
SB 5, by Senator Michael Machado (D-Linden) and Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), mandates that ...
September 11, 2007
Democratic Congress Makes Good on Promise to Make College More Affordable For All Americans.
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who sits on the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees federal education spending, joined a majority in the House Friday to vote for final pass...
September 11, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The Senate killed a bill by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, to protect seniors and working families now living in mobile home parks by regulating the conversion of mobile home parks from rentals to resident ownership.
AB 1542 ...
September 11, 2007
SACRAMENTO – By a 58 to 5 vote this morning, the California State Assembly overwhelmingly passed Assembly Member Alberto Torrico’s (D-Newark) Safe Surrender Baby bill, expanding the time a parent has to safely surrender a child from 72 hours to seven days. The bill, AB 81, now heads to the governo...
September 11, 2007
LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that the backlog of DNA samples collected from convicted felons—which stood at 295,000 in July 2006—has been eliminated.
At a news conference with Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley, Brown said: “The state has ...
September 11, 2007
Debate on Military Progress Distracts from Impossibility of Military Solution.
(Oakland, CA) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee issued the following statement in response to the testimony today of General David Petraeus before a joint session of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees:...
September 11, 2007
Sacramento- AB 1167, authored by Assemblymember Pedro Nava, overwhelmingly passed the State Assembly today on a bipartisan vote and now goes to the governor for consideration.
“Making every vote count is the bedrock of our democracy and absentee balloting is growing in importance. We need to kee...
September 11, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) today made the following statement on the Assembly Floor regarding Assembly Bill 1471 by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), a measure that would require new models of semiautomatic handguns to be equipped with microstamping technology:
...
September 11, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Mary Bono (R, CA-45) today issued the following statement regarding the report presented to Congress by Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker:
"I am grateful to Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker for their candid and comprehensive report today ...
September 11, 2007
Technology will be a crucial tool for law enforcement to solve thousands of crimes.
(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – AB 1471, authored by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) passed the Assembly Floor today for concurrence with Senate amendments by a vote of 45-31. The legislation, called the Crime...
September 11, 2007
Assembly Bill 34 would create a widely accessible public umbilical cord blood banking program. Umbilical Cord Blood Cures 70 blood related diseases including leukemia and sickle cell anemia.
Sacramento – Today the State Senate approved Assembly Bill 34, authored by Assemblymember Portantino...
September 11, 2007
SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assembly Member Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) to put the latest and most cutting edge energy efficient technology into state buildings was approved today in the state Senate by a vote of 26-14. The bill now heads to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill 527 requires the Department of ...
September 11, 2007
SACRAMENTO, CA– Today on the Assembly Floor, AB 102—the Name Equality Act of 2007, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) passed with a vote of 41-22. The bill would allow soon to be married spouses and domestic partners equal opportunity, regardless of gender, to change their surnames...
September 07, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Late yesterday, the State Senate passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, eliminating a statutory obstacle to help the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District protect land in Sonoma County.
Spon...
September 07, 2007
In response to requests for reaction to yesterday’s arrest of Norman Hsu, the California Department of Justice is providing the following information:
As you know, Norman Hsu was charged in an 18 count felony complaint in August 1991 with stealing $1 million from approximately 20 investors in a ...
Sens. Migden and Padilla Introduce 2nd Bill Allowing United Farm Workers to Organize Union Membershi
September 07, 2007
SB 650 contains sunset clause, backs up SB 180 in case of veto.
(SACRAMENTO)— State Senators Carole Migden (San Francisco/Marin/Sonoma Counties) and Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) have jointly introduced another piece of legislation, SB 650, authorizing the United Farm Workers union to organize wor...
September 06, 2007
AB 102 is now one vote away from moving to the Governor.
SACRAMENTO, CA– Today on the Senate Floor, AB 102—the Name Equality Act of 2007, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) passed with a vote of 24-15. The bill would allow soon to be married spouses and domestic partners eq...
September 06, 2007
SACRAMENTO – With bi-partisan support, the state Senate today overwhelmingly passed Assembly Member Alberto Torrico’s (D-Newark) Safe Surrender Baby bill, aimed at expanding the time a parent has to safely surrender a child. The bill passed 33-3.
Currently, a parent has only 72 hours to safely ...
September 06, 2007
Technology will be a crucial tool for law enforcement to solve thousands of crimes.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2007 (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – AB 1471, authored by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) passed the Senate Floor today with a vote of 21:17. The legislation, called the Crime Gun Ide...
September 06, 2007
SACAMENTO – At a meeting with the League of California Cities, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today challenged local officials to “jump in now and lead the California campaign against oil dependency and worsening climate change.” Brown’s meeting with the League comes on the heels of...
September 06, 2007
Proposed ban on smokiSACRAMENTO – A proposed ban on smoking in cars with children by state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, is expected to face its final vote in the Assembly Friday.
If approved, Senate Bill 7 would return to the Senate for concurrence, which could occur as soon as Friday or ea...
September 06, 2007
Common Interest Open Meeting Act to Governor.
SACRAMENTO: SB 528 from Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is awaiting the signature of Governor Schwarzenegger after receiving unanimous support during Assembly and Senate Floor votes. The Aanestad measure strengthens homeowner protections in...
September 06, 2007
Bill names stretch of Route 12 the “Officer David Lamoree Memorial Interchange”
SACRAMENTO–The State Senate and Assembly both voted unanimously this week to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to honor fallen Rio Vista Police Officer David Lamoree.
Wolk’s bill names a...
September 06, 2007
Sacramento –Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee announced today that AB 321, an enhancement to School Safety Zones, passed the State Senate on 21 to 14 vote.
“This bill will make it safer for our kids,” ”said Nava. “By extending school zones and reducin...
September 06, 2007
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jim Moran (D-VA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) joined former Director of the National Security Agency, General William Odom; forme...
September 06, 2007
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to promote international travel by calling for the establishment of September as National Passport month.
“Three quarters of the people in our country do not have passports,...
September 06, 2007
Yee applauds Schwarzenegger’s move to appeal video game ruling.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) today appealed a ruling by United States District Court Judge Ronald Whyte that struck down a law to prohibit the sale of ultra-violent video games to minors. The law’...
September 06, 2007
Legislation targets affordable housing, health care for foster youth, telecommunications.
SACRAMENTO – Three bills by Assembly Member Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) focusing on affordable housing, health care for foster youth and telecommunications passed the Assembly and are now on their way to...
September 06, 2007
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Legislature passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, requiring health plans and insurers to cover the cost of vaccinating young women for cervical cancer.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1429 passed the Assembly ...
September 06, 2007
Aanestad Wants Levee Repairs & Storage – Not Easements.
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) objected to AB 930 during Senate Floor debates earlier today, and believes the measure will hurt development opportunities and business expansion in areas of Northern California where it...
September 06, 2007
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) announced today that two bills he has authored to improve water reliability and storage will help the state respond to a recent federal court order that could cut water flow from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta by one-third.
SB 1002 ...
September 06, 2007
Legislation would allow judges to order unemployed obligors to seek work.
SACRAMENTO – The State Senate today unanimously (38-0) passed legislation to help increase the number of child support payments collected in San Mateo County. SB 523, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Sa...