Caucus News

State Sen. Steven Glazer (D-Contra Costa) called Friday for state regulators and the Legislature to consider far-reaching reforms aimed at strengthening California’s electrical grid against wildfires, keeping the power on during high-wind events, and ensuring that mobile phone service remains available during disasters. 

“The status quo is not acceptable,” Glazer said. “Ten-year plans are not sufficient. We need to move now to modernize our infrastructure and our laws so we can keep the power on and keep our communities safe.”

Sacramento, CA – As the Kincade Fire burns in Sonoma County forcing the largest evacuation ever in the county during one of the biggest Public Safety Power Shutoffs in California history, the cell towers residents have come to rely on have gone dark. This has left hundreds of thousands of Californians in harm’s way without their cell phone during a disaster.

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement congratulating Senator Jeff Stone:

“I congratulate Senator Jeff Stone on his appointment as Western Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Labor. The California Senate wishes him the best as he begins this new chapter in his career.”

###

State Senators Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, released the following statements on the NCAA Board of Governors’ announcement today on “enhancing name, image, and likeness opportunities” for college athletes.

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement in response to claims from Republican legislators that backsliding on renewable energy is a solution to preventing wildfires and power shutoffs:

Senators Bradford and Skinner Statement on NCAA’s Announcement on Name, Image, and Likeness

SACRAMENTO - State Senators Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) and Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) released the following statements regarding the NCAA Board of Governors’ announcement today on, “enhancing name, image, and likeness opportunities” for college athletes.

What a year! My community, the 30th Senate District, was the inspiration behind my legislative package this year, which reflects my commitment to address housing discrimination, economic inequity, and bias in health access. 

NAPA – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today after the California Public Utility Commission announced it would investigate whether public safety power shutoffs are being handled appropriately by utilities:

SACRAMENTO – Senator Henry Stern issued the following statement as another wave of power shutoffs impacts hundreds of thousands of California residents:

“We have to get through the current crises, but suffice it to say the lack of a backup plan for these public safety power shutoffs is reckless, endangering loved ones, especially the medically vulnerable, across our community. I am angry and I know you are too.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced today applications are now being accepted for next fall’s California Senate Fellows program, an 11-month, on-the-job training opportunity for college graduates offering valuable legislative experience and excellent preparation for many public- and private-sector careers.