Senator Scott Wiener

Today Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement in response to recent threats by President Donald Trump against state legislators, federal judges, public universities, cities, and states:

Contact: Jeff Cretan, jeff.cretan@sen.ca.gov

Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D- San Francisco) announced the introduction of a Senate Constitutional Amendment 6 to set the voter approval threshold for transportation funding measures at 55%, down from the current threshold of 2/3, or 66.6%. This would put transportation funding measures on the same level as school funding measures, which were set at 55% by California voters in the year 2000. SCA 6 requires a 2/3 approval in the state legislature to be placed on the ballot, where it then requires majority approval by the voters.

Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced the LOCAL Act (Let Our Communities Adjust Late Night) to allow, but not require, local governments to extend alcohol service hours to a specified time between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m for bars and restaurants. Under Senate Bill 384, the decision for how and where to implement any extension of alcohol service hours would be up to the local jurisdiction, with approval by the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).

SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno’s (D- San Francisco) bill to limit the use of room confinement in juvenile facilities was signed by the Governor today. Senate Bill 1143 states that room confinement can only be used after less restrictive options have been tried and bans its use for the purposes of punishment, coercion, convenience or retaliation. The law will go into effect January 1, 2017.

SACRAMENTO – A measure authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by the City of San Francisco to expand affordable housing options for teachers was signed by Governor Brown today. SB 1413 will help California retain quality educators by allowing school districts to establish housing for teachers and employees on district-owned property.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno’s (D-San Francisco) bill to ensure those who meet the income eligibility requirements can access California’s food stamp and welfare to work programs was signed by Governor Brown today. Sponsored by the Western Center on Law and Poverty, Senate Bill 1232 protects the rights of CalWorks and CalFresh applicants while also reducing redundant paperwork.

SACRAMENTO – A measure authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by the City of San Francisco to expand affordable housing options for teachers passed the State Legislature today. SB 1413 will help California retain quality educators by allowing school districts to establish housing for teachers and employees on district-owned property.

SACRAMENTO- Legislation to reform the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by increasing transparency and commissioner accountability was approved by the Legislature today and is on its way to the Governor. Jointly authored by Senators Mark Leno and Ben Hueso, SB 215 is part of a package of Commission reforms agreed upon by Governor Brown and lawmakers to improve governance, accountability, oversight and transparency of the California Public Utilities Commission.