Caucus News

LOS ANGELES – Sen. Holly J. Mitchell’s Christmas in July event hosted hundreds of students and family members, with each guest presented with free admission, a food voucher, Metro day pass and a gift bag which included thunder sticks to cheer on the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. While the game keyed on fun, Mitchell’s eighth annual Christmas-in-July event was part of her years-long effort to engage children to stay mentally, physically and nutritionally active during summer break.

In coming weeks, the Legislature will have the opportunity to pass a measure that would change the lives of thousands of Californians at risk of serious mental illness, increase access to quality mental health treatment, and ultimately turn the tide in our homelessness crisis.

SACRAMENTO – Dr. Richard Pan, a pediatrician and state senator representing the Sacramento region, sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar expressing opposition to proposed changes that would undermine access to care for millions of Americans that rely on Title X to access essential, basic reproductive care including cancer screenings, birth control, and sexually transmitted infection testing.

In the letter, Dr. Richard Pan wrote:

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s proposal to weaken the nation’s clean vehicle emissions standard. Senator Lara is the author of SB 1000, which promotes better access to charging infrastructure to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles.

SACRAMENTO –As numerous wildfires rage across the state, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) will hold a media call at 10:00 a.m. PT on Friday, August 3 to discuss the need for enhanced wildfire prevention as outlined in her Senate Bill 1260. The legislation, supported by a wide-range of stakeholders including environmental groups, represents a major shift in state policy regarding forest management and prescribed burns in light of our changing climate and the “new normal” of California’s increasingly destructive fire seasons.

SACRAMENTO – The next two hearings of the Conference Committee on Wildfire Preparedness and Response will be Aug. 7 and Aug. 9 in the state Capitol’s John L. Burton Hearing Room 4203.

The Aug. 7 hearing begins at 2 p.m. The subject is ensuring a safe and reliable electric grid. The Aug. 9 hearing begins upon adjournment of Senate and Assembly floor sessions. The subject is inverse condemnation and electric utilities.

SACRAMENTO – Proposed laws for 2018 by Sen. Holly J. Mitchell include continuing to reform the juvenile justice system and reducing childhood poverty to help families and communities.

Her other efforts focus on expanding worker training to prevent sexual harassment and providing women key health information. 

Here, in bill-number order, are the top pending measures Mitchell hopes receive final passage prior to the Legislature’s scheduled adjournment Aug. 31:

San Diego, CA – August 1, 2018 – After learning of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s decision to join a lawsuit against the Port of San Diego, State Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) today issued the following statement: 

SACRAMENTO, CA – With just a month left in the legislative session, Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) launched a final push for passage of the California Cooling Act, Senate Bill 1013.

The California Cooling Act provides financial incentives and preserves deadlines that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established in 2016 for businesses to transition to alternative refrigerant chemicals.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) issued the following statement in reaction to the Trump Administration’s Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services today issuing final regulations to extend "short-term" plans from three months to up to three years: