Caucus News

Senator Anthony J. Portantino Expresses Concerns with Ethnic Studies Curriculum Draft:  – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) sent a letter to the California Department of Education detailing his concerns regarding the current draft of the department’s Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum.

Statement from Senator Susan Rubio:  "The California Senate on Thursday adjourned in memory of the victims of the Aug. 3 El Paso, Texas shooting. This included former San Gabriel Valley residents Maria and Raul Flores. This issue is very personal to me. The shooter’s goal was to hurt and kill people who looked like me. I have roots in El Paso and family still living there today. My heart goes out to all those touched by this tragedy." #ElPasoStrong

SACRAMENTO – Legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would allow Napa County to negotiate with the state to buy the 850-acre Skyline Wilderness Park was approved by the Legislature today.

Senate Bill 20 would ensure the prime land with popular hiking trails and views of the Bay Area remains a public open space forever.

“This is such an important community asset, both from a recreational and environmental perspective,” Sen. Dodd said. “We must preserve this land for the public and place it under local control so it remains parkland in perpetuity.”

SACRAMENTO – The following is a message from Dr. Richard Pan, a pediatrician and state senator representing the Sacramento region, about the violent assault carried out by an anti-vaccine activist who was incited by years of violent rhetoric threatening imagery:

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement about a physical attack on Senator Richard Pan in the Capitol:

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa issued the following statement today before the fifth anniversary of the South Napa earthquake, which occurred on Aug. 24, 2014, killing one person, injuring hundreds more and causing up to $1 billion in damage:

Sacramento, CA— Dr. Richard Pan, a pediatrician and the State Senator that authored SB 277 in 2015 and SB 276 currently to ensure more children are vaccinated from preventable diseases, made the following statement flowing the announcement that U.S. won’t be vaccinating migrant families in holding centers ahead of this year’s flu season:

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement about Planned Parenthood’s announcement that they would no longer accept federal Title X funding:

A new study released today by researchers at UC Davis School of Medicine suggests that California’s Gun Violence Restraining Order law (GVRO), also known as a “red flag” law, has prevented mass shootings since it went into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

California’s law, AB 1014, the first of its kind in the nation, was authored by then-Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. AB 1014 allows either a law enforcement officer or a family member to seek a court injunction to remove firearms from a person who poses a significant danger to himself or others.

Sacramento, California – Senator Anthony J Portantino’s (D - La Cañada Flintridge) is pleased that the student suicide prevention effort created by SB 972 is in effect for the 2019/2020 school year.  

“As a father, I don’t want to ever read another story in the paper about a teen who took his or her life.  I am hopeful that for students struggling with depression and grappling with suicidal thoughts, having this resource readily available will save a life.  It’s a simple idea that should have a significant impact,” commented Senator Portantino.