Latest Soundbites

SACRAMENTO – Hundreds of thousands of Californians desperately trying to stay in their homes will now have significant new protections to avoid foreclosure under a measure which passed the full Senate and Assembly today. The measure will now be sent to the Governor for his consideration.

The California State Legislature is preparing to vote Friday, June 15, on the 2012-2013 State Budget. Friday is the constitutional deadline for having a state budget passed and sent to the Governor.

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.

Legislative Leaders Announce Homeowner’s Bill of Rights Attorney General Kamala Harris, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez joined together to announce the introduction of the California Homeowner's Bill of Rights.

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. 

(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.

 SACRAMENTO – Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) is reacting to news from the Department of Finance, State Public Works Board and State Department of Parks and Recreation’s plans to solicit concession agreements from private organizations, including for-profits that will undermine efforts by local non-profits to keep parks open.

Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s proposed 2012-13 State Budget: “Together, we have made a giant dent in a once overwhelming budget deficit. The price has been high for students, working families and those struggling to improve their lives. Those cuts have real consequences on the lives of real people, and I am wary of immediately continuing down that path.

 Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord), Chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, reacts to the news that Republican Senator Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale)h as introduced legislation allowing California voters a 'do-over' vote on the billions of bond dollars authorized in 2008 for California's High Speed Rail Project. 

In an era of continuing budget cuts amid a lagging economy, Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) has amended a bill to limit raises for California State University presidents, give priority to home-grown talent and require executive pay hike decisions to be made in open session.

 SACRAMENTO – A bill authored by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) that would require out-of-state sex offenders to register in California today cleared the Assembly Public Safety Committee with a 4-1 vote.

Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announces to the press that budget negotiations with legislative Republicans have broken down and there will not be a final budget deal on which Californians would have a chance to voice their opinions on a tax increase extension. Senator Steinberg said the six page “wish list” Republicans produced over the weekend - after 3 weeks of negotiations - are completely unrelated to the budget negotiations and do nothing to close the funding gap still left to fill on the 2011-2012 state budget.

The Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday approved legislation authored by Senator Padilla that would set penalties for both inmates and anyone who smuggles a cell phone to an inmate. SB 26 would crack down on the illegal proliferation of cell phones and other wireless communication devices in California prisons. Current law does not provide any criminal or financial sanctions for smuggling cell phones to inmates or for an inmate possessing a cell phone. The number of cell phones confiscated in our prisons has grown exponentially.

Senator Corbett ‘s committee held a hearing at the Capitol on Monday, March 21st, to examine the damage caused in California by the tsunami after the earthquake in Japan and explore the state of preparedness. The hearing also focused on the safety of the state’s nuclear power plants and natural gas infrastructure.