Caucus News

After encouragement from Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez during a tour of the Columbus Park encampment in San Jose, Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) is requesting that the State Auditor conduct a review of San Jose’s use of state and federal funds to combat homelessness.

Sacramento, CA- SB 1472- Ryan’s law, set to take effect January 1, 2023, will give more tools to prosecutors who seek justice for deaths caused by egregiously hazardous driving. This legal change, named after Ryan Koeppel, an Encino teenager killed by a repeat extreme speeder, adds speeding 100+ mph, street racing, and participating in a side show to the definition of gross negligence. Thereby increasing the penalties for fatalities caused by these activities and forcing District Attorneys across the state to recognize the seriousness of these crimes.

Sacramento, CA – Governor Newsom announced appointments to the Governor’s Council on
Holocaust and Genocide Education (Council). The Council was created when evidence showing
a lack of knowledge about the Holocaust and other recent genocides among California students
came to light. The Council will focus on education about the Holocaust and genocides with a
particular emphasis on the public school system.
“I look forward to working with all of the new Governor's appointees. As Co-Chair of this

South Pasadena, CA -  This week Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) joined local elected officials from the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), Arcadia, Montebello, San Marino, and South Pasadena to announce the launch of the San Gabriel Valley Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (SGV CARE) program. During the press conference, Senator Portantino announced $850,000 in new funding that he secured from the 2022-2023 state budget for the mobile crisis response pilot program.

Sacramento, CA - State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) was proud to announce that his budget request of $150,000 for the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition was approved in the 2022-2023 State Budget.  The funds will support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

I hope you can join me, Assemblymember Alex Lee, California Student Opportunity and Access Program San Jose (Cal-SOAP), and the California Student Aid Commission for a Cash for College Webinar! Learn how to get started with FAFSA and Dream Act Applications and get step-by-step instructions to apply for CA Financial Aid and Grants.
 

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, will hold a virtual press conference 10 a.m. TODAY to highlight new guidance to help protect California residents facing water and utility shutoffs.

WHO: California Attorney General Rob Bonta; California State Sen. Bill Dodd 

WHEN: TODAY, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022

Sacramento, CA – A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology from researchers at
PSE Healthy Energy found that the gas that is piped into California homes for heating and cooking
contains elevated levels of benzene and other hazardous pollutants. Low-level gas leaks from kitchen
stoves alone can create benzene levels in homes comparable to living with a smoker.
Homes in almost every region of California — Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area,

Sacramento, California – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) was named the 2022 Policymaker of the Year by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU).   Senator Portantino received the honor during AICCU’s Annual Meeting.  He was recognized for his dedication and leadership to ensure that California’s diverse student population has access to affordable higher education.

Long Beach, Calif. – On October 22, 2022 Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) presented $1.2 million in funds for the revitalization of the Wrigley Greenbelt. The funds will help renovate greenspace to improve air quality and better serve local residents as a place for recreation, exercise and more.