Caucus News

Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Hurtado Introduces Bill (#ComidaParaTodos) to Ensure Food Assistance for All Eligible Residents, Regardless of Immigration Status

February 17, 2021

SACRAMENTO, CA – With the COVID-19 health and economic crisis demonstrating a critical hole in California’s food delivery system, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) introduced legislation today to provide state-funded food benefits to everyone who is eligible in California – regardless of their immigration status.

Senator Scott Wiener

Senators Wiener and Limón Introduce Legislation to Ban Fracking and Other Destructive Oil Extraction Methods and to Require Distance Between Oil Extraction and Homes and Schools

February 17, 2021

SACRAMENTO - Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) introduced Senate Bill 467, which halts the issuance or renewal of permits for hydraulic fracturing (fracking), acid well stimulation treatments, cyclic steaming, and water and steam flooding starting January 1, 2022, and then prohibits these extraction methods entirely starting January 1, 2027.

Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Cortese Supports Immediate Budget Action to Provide Relief to California Workers and Small Business

February 17, 2021

Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon announced additions to the Governor’s proposed immediate budget action in the 2021-22 state budget. The agreement includes $9.6 billion in immediate relief for individuals, families, and small businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Lena A. Gonzalez

Sen. Gonzalez Introduces Bill to Establish the California Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Agency

February 16, 2021

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) introduced SB 452 to establish the California Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Agency. The agency would help streamline immigrant and refugee programs ran by state and local offices that offer services such as educational opportunities, legal services, job training, and placement assistance.

Senator Anthony J. Portantino

Senators Portantino and Wilk Introduce Bill Allowing Local Agencies to Divest from the Republic of Turkey

February 16, 2021

Sacramento, California – Today, Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Canada-Flintridge) and Senator Scott Wilk (R – Santa Clarita) introduced SB 457, a measure that requires the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) Boards of Administration to allow school districts and cities to opt out of investment vehicles issued or owned by the Republic of Turkey.

Senator Josh Becker

State Senator Josh Becker Urges Governor Newsom to Resume Outdoor School Sports

February 16, 2021

State Senator Josh Becker, D-Peninsula, wrote Governor Gavin Newsom today to ask for the immediate resumption of outdoor and low-contact indoor high school sports in California. Senator Becker wants outdoor and low-contact high school sports to resume now provided that other state-recommended safety protocols are in place. See his letter to the governor.

Senator Bill Dodd

Sen. Dodd Introduces Disaster Prevention Bill

February 16, 2021

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation today to help prevent catastrophic destruction from natural disasters that too often strike California communities by leveraging existing funds to provide a new, continuous funding source for wildfire home-hardening earthquake retrofitting.

Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Dave Cortese Introduces SB 435 to End Online Sex Trafficking and Exploitation

February 16, 2021

Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) has introduced SB 435, the “Ending Online Sexual Trafficking and Exploitation Act”, the first bill of its kind in the nation to tackle online sexual exploitation and trafficking, giving victims, including children, more civil causes of action against the distribution of naked or sexual photographs and video.
Senator Cortese, along with the California Women’s Law Center, local advocates and sexual assault survivors, is putting forward a bill in the California Legislature to end what he calls “human trafficking in the digital age.”

Senator Josh Becker

State Senator Josh Becker Urges Governor Newsom to Resume Outdoor School Sports

February 15, 2021

MENLO PARK, Calif. – State Senator Josh Becker, D-Peninsula, wrote Governor Gavin Newsom today to ask for the immediate resumption of outdoor and low-contact indoor high school sports in California.
Senator Becker wants outdoor and low-contact high school sports to resume now provided that other state-recommended safety protocols are in place. The letter is linked here.

Senator Lena A. Gonzalez

Senator Gonzalez Becomes Member of the Senate Leadership Team as New Majority Whip

February 12, 2021

SACRAMENTO – On February 10th, 2021 Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) made appointments to the Democratic Leadership team for the 2020-2021 session.
Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) was appointed as Majority Whip, one of seven Democratic leadership positions in the California Senate. The Democratic leadership team plays a significant role in guiding Senate members through the legislative process.