Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – This week, it was announced that the principles and proposals outlined in Senate Bill 49 (SB 49), by Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Orange County), will be included in Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020-21 Budget Proposal to be released later this week. The Budget proposes $70.6 million for fee waivers to individuals and businesses most impacted by the pandemic – including barbers, cosmetologists, manicurists, bars and restaurants. These waivers will assist those who have not been able to operate or are operating at reduced capacity during the pandemic.

SACRAMENTO - Yesterday, the Kenosha District Attorney's Office announced their decision not to press criminal charges in the unarmed shooting of Jacob Blake, which occurred last summer in Wisconsin, three months after the murder of George Floyd. Blake's shooting resulted in several days of civil and violent unrest in the city, most notably 18-year old Kyle Rittenhouse, arrested and charged with shooting three people with an assault rifle, killing two of them.

SACRAMENTO, CA — Dr. Richard Pan, state senator representing the Sacramento region and Chair of the Senate Health Committee made the following statement regarding the Governor’s announcement that the budget will propose $300 million to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine:

SACRAMENTO— Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed Equitable Recovery for California’s Business and Jobs Plan:

SONOMA – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, will host a virtual town hall Jan. 12 with the latest updates from California’s schools chief, Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and public health experts, on the coronavirus pandemic and the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations.

The town hall will be streamed live over multiple channels and broadcast on KSVY Sonoma. Panelists will take live and submitted questions.

Who: Sen. Dodd; Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of schools.

What: Virtual Town Hall: Covid-19 Vaccinations, Schools & Public Health

When: 6 p.m., Jan. 12, 2021

Sacramento, California – Please join Senator Anthony Portantino and representatives from the Governor’s Office of Business Development for an important town hall regarding the California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program. 

SACRAMENTO – Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) has been elected as Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). The Caucus has had over a 50-year legacy of advocating for transformative legislation on behalf of African Americans and other marginalized people in California. Senator Bradford was elected to the legislature in 2009 making him the longest serving member of the Caucus and currently the only black senator in the state senate. He also serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Chair of the Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, today announced new legislation to ensure California plans for continuous electricity during wildfire-driven power outages without relying on fossil fuel-powered backup generation.

SACRAMENTO – California small business owners and non-profits can apply for some of the $500 million in California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program funds the state is offering beginning on December 30, State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) announced today. The formal application period will run from Dec. 30, 2020 to January 8, 2021.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) issued a statement today on Gov. Newsom's appointment of Assemblymember Shirley Weber to become the next  California Secretary of State.