Latest Press Releases

Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) – the chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services – says he will likely respond to recent news reports that small grocery stores in California (and other parts of the country) are allegedly overcharging for the foods offered for sale through the Women/Infants/Children (WIC) program, which is available to low-income mothers and their children. The exorbitant prices charged at some of these stores results in the WIC program spending more than it should on food. 

Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) has sent to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) a letter concerning the use of ‘meat glue’ (transglutaminase) in restaurants and the health risks it may pose to consumers. 

Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) has introduced legislation that would examine the shortcomings of the state’s oversight of school construction and recommend changes in procedures and law to ensure new school facilities meet seismic safety standards before being put to use.

Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) is introducing SB 1298, which would direct the California Highway Patrol to develop guidelines for the safe testing and operation of autonomous vehicles in California.  Last year, similar legislation was signed into law in Nevada.  In addition, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida and Oklahoma are all currently considering autonomous vehicles legislation.

Addressing the looming “retirement tsunami” represented by the massive shortfall pending in most people’s retirement, Senator Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) is introducing SB1234 - the California Retirement Savings Act -  which creates a comprehensive retirement savings plan for the seven million private sector workers without access to a workplace retirement plan.

Senator Mark Leno (D-SF) has introduced legislation that clarifies the religious freedom of clergy members in California.

 State Senator Juan Vargas has joined top animal advocates, pet groomers and pet owners at a press conference in San Diego, to introduce SB 969, “Lucy’s Law”.  SB 969 would regulate the pet grooming industry in an effort to prevent injuries and fatalities to pets resulting from visits to the pet groomer. 

Governor Brown has signed into law legislation - SB 81 - authored by Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), a member of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, which would restore $248 million to the Home-to-School Transportation Fund. The bill is effective immediately.

(Sacramento) – Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) has issued the following statement on Governor Jerry Brown’s State of the State address, Wednesday, January 18, 2012:

“The majority of Californians wants to see us reinvest and restore some of what’s been lost in our public schools, our universities and local communities over the past few years. The Governor laid out a positive vision for the state with a real pathway to make it happen.