Caucus News

SAN JOSE – State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) presented a state resolution today to University of California, Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal and staff, faculty and community leaders on behalf of the South Bay legislative delegation in honor of the 130th Anniversary of the Lick Observatory. The presentation took place at the observatory’s 36-inch Great Refractor telescope.

SACRAMENTO –  Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today upon the release of dates for the legislative Conference Committee on Wildfire Preparedness and Response:

SACRAMENTO – A bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that improves counties’ ability to plan and deliver infrastructure projects was signed into law Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown. “It will ensure more timely completion at a higher quality, sparing the public any cost overruns,” Senator Dodd said.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Jim Beall’s legislation, SB 1053, to resolve any confusion about how long a victim of childhood sexual abuse has to file a claim against a public entity and seek justice through the civil courts, was ratified today by Governor Brown.

“Since many abusers manage to escape prosecution,’’ Beall said, “the ability of victims to file a civil case should be protected and serve as a deterrent to the perpetuation of abuse by those who would shield the abusers from justice.’’

SACRAMENTO – When a child moves through the placement process in dependency court, Court Appointed Special Advocates stand by the child to protect their best interests and provide recommendations that best serve the child’s needs.

Yet these advocates are not required to participate in one of the most crucial junctures in the placement process -- family team meetings that include the child and parents, child welfare personnel as well as counselors, extended family, friends, and others.

(BIG SUR, CA) – Today, CalTrans hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the reopening of Highway 1 at Mud Creek after being closed for more than a year.  It features a new 1/4-mile roadway that will realign the fractured highway and restores southern access to Big Sur. 

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement in reaction to the Regents of the University of California’s decision to reduce tuition for the 2018-2019 school year.

SACRAMENTO— Today Governor Brown signed legislation by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to prevent domestic violence homicides by training law enforcement officers to identify domestic abuse victims whose lives are in danger and connect them with local support services.

SACRAMENTO – Following strong bipartisan support in the Legislature, Governor Jerry Brown today signed a bill authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that will ensure greater opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to live with families and receive services and support in a family setting.

SAN DIEGO – Backed by dozens of pink-clad supporters of women’s health care, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) announced today that the state budget that took effect on July 1 includes funding for her bill, SB 945, which removes unreasonable caps on treatment under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program for low-income Californians.