Caucus News

In a letter to Congress today, Sen. Nancy Skinner called on the federal government to take bold action this year to address childhood hunger. The letter was addressed to U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA), chair of the House Rules Committee.

Chair McGovern is hosting a hearing Ending Hunger in America: Examining the Role Schools Play in Ending Hunger and Improving Nutrition, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 8 a.m. Pacific.

Sacramento, California – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) announced today that his budget request for the La Verne San Dimas Educational Foundation has been approved by the Legislature.  The budget allocation will support wellness programs for students attending Bonita Unified School District in the cities of La Verna and San Dimas. Senator Portantino has long championed support for mental healthcare.

Sacramento, California – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) announced this week that his request for $1.8 million for the Armenian American Museum was approved by the Legislature.  The highly anticipated landmark, which commenced construction in July, is set to be the first cultural center of its kind in California.

SONOMA – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, will host a virtual town hall Sept. 21 on climate change, environmental stewardship and the drought featuring a panel discussion with top state natural resources and conservancy officials.

The town hall will be streamed live over multiple channels and broadcast on KSVY Sonoma. Panelists will take live and submitted questions.

Who: Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources secretary; Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Board; and Jay Ziegler, director of external affairs for The Nature Conservancy.

Contact: Richard Stapler
Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov
Senator John Laird Celebrates End of Legislative Session
SACRAMENTO, CA – State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) completes his first legislative session in the California State Senate.

Sacramento, California – Senate Bills 14 and 224, authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), were approved by the Legislature with strong bipartisan support and are headed to the Governor’s desk. SB 14 and 224 address the growing mental health crisis among California’s youth by implementing mental health education and training in schools.

SANGER, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) released the following statement today, regarding the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks:

Several bills authored by California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) have advanced to the Governor’s desk as this year’s legislative session came to a close earlier this evening.
 
Headed to the Governor’s Desk:
·      AB 1171 – Ending the Spousal Rape Exception

Several bills authored by California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) have advanced to the Governor’s desk as this year’s legislative session came to a close earlier this evening.
 
Headed to the Governor’s Desk:
·      AB 1171 – Ending the Spousal Rape Exception

Sacramento, California – Senate Bill 381, a measure authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) which gets Caltrans out of the real estate business in South Pasadena, was approved by the Legislature today.  SB 381 provides protections for existing tenants, includes a strategy to protect historic homes, and gives flexibility to the City of South Pasadena to create more affordable housing.  The measure now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.