Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement on COVID-19 and the Capitol Community:

“We are monitoring COVID-19 closely and are following the California Department of Public Health’s recommendations on large gatherings. At this time, the Senate is not recommending any changes to the way it conducts its business but understands the fluidity of the situation and may issue further guidance if needed.”

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SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, released the following statement today regarding the report from the California Horse Racing Board on racing horse deaths at Santa Anita Park:

“The board issued a thorough investigative report that makes a number of key findings and recommendations,” Sen. Dodd said. “Ensuring safety is and must remain our top priority. Already, the board has adopted important changes. Where statutory authority is needed, I’ve introduced my own bill to reduce the risks to horses and jockeys.”

Sacramento - Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced SB 902, which authorizes two, three or four units of housing per parcel – depending on population – in neighborhoods zoned for lower density, such as single-family zoned areas. Additionally, SB 902 provides cities with a powerful new streamlining tool, if they choose to utilize it, to upzone non-sprawl areas to as many as 10 units per parcel.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2020
COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA ISSUES ORDER TO CANCEL MASS GATHERINGS DUE TO INCREASING RATES OF COVID-19

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — In light of significantly increasing rates of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County, the County’s Public Health Department is taking further steps to protect the health of our community. 

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Chair of the California State Senate Elections Committee, announced today that he will introduce legislation that will move non-presidential year primaries back to June.

“Non-Presidential primaries should be set to their traditional date of June,” said Senator Umberg. “We need to set our elections on dates that will maximize voter turnout and engagement.”

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, reminds taxpayers of two key benefits as they approach the April 15 deadline to file taxes:

Free preparation assistance is available from California’s Franchise Tax Board’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and a Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program to help individuals with limited incomes complete their tax returns.

With the deadline for filing income taxes coming soon, local families with incomes below $56,000 can receive free income tax preparation assistance at an event co-hosted by State Senator Bob Wieckowski, Golden State Opportunity, United Way Bay Area and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program on Thursday, March 19, at the Fremont Family Resource Center Millennium Room, located at 39155 Liberty Street in Fremont. 

With the deadline for filing income taxes coming soon, local families with incomes below $56,000 can receive free income tax preparation assistance at an event co-hosted by State Senator Bob Wieckowski, Golden State Opportunity, United Way Bay Area and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program on Thursday, March 19, at the Fremont Family Resource Center Millennium Room, located at 39155 Liberty Street in Fremont. 

Each year my office honors women of all ages, backgrounds and interests, who are passionate about and committed to empowering and improving their communities. Typically this ceremony takes place in March during Women's History Month but this year was postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19. While we cannot celebrate these inspirational women in person, we want to virtually recognize them here.

Sacramento – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 899 to allow faith institutions (such as churches, synagogues, and mosques) along with nonprofit hospitals to build affordable housing on their property by right, even if local zoning prohibits this type of housing. The legislation only applies to 100% affordable housing for low-income residents.