Caucus News

"Today, one year and one day after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, the California Senate passed SB 2 to prevent police officers with a record of misconduct and abuse of power from hopping from city to city to escape the consequences their actions – and offend again. We must do our utmost to protect Californians, especially those of color who disproportionately fall victim to bad cops..."

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate Majority Leader Robert M. Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) took one step further to reform the predatory money bail system. SB 262, approved with a supermajority vote of the California State Senate, ensures no person is kept behind bars before trial simply because they cannot afford to post bail.

State Senator Bob Wieckowski issued the following statement on the mass shooting today in San Jose.

“My heart goes out to all the VTA employees and their families who have lost loved ones and colleagues as a result of another act of senseless gun violence. Our community mourns with them. We cannot prevent every tragic shooting, but the California Legislature remains committed to passing sensible gun laws so fewer victims will feel the pain and heartbreak that San Jose is feeling today.”

The California state Senate voted 27-9 today to approve Sen. Nancy Skinner’s SB 81, which would establish judicial guidance on the use of sentencing enhancements. SB 81 reflects one of the 10 recommendations made by the California Committee on the Revision of the Penal Code. The committee, of which Sen. Skinner is a member, was appointed by Gov. Newsom and the Legislature to comprehensively examine California’s Penal Code and issue recommendations for reforming it.

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Senate passed Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ SB 9, the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, legislation that streamlines the process for a homeowner to create a duplex or subdivide an existing property. The bill, which passed the Senate on a bipartisan 28-6 vote, would enable homeowners to create intergenerational wealth and widen access to more rental and home ownership opportunities for working families.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, will join fellow members of the Senate Wildfire Working Group in a virtual press conference Thursday to unveil a comprehensive wildfire preparedness and prevention bill package and discuss a landmark corresponding budget package -- all part the Senate’s Blueprint for a Fire Safe California. 

Sens. Mike McGuire and Susan Rubio co-chair the Wildfire Working Group, which includes Sens. Dodd, Henry Stern, Ben Allen, Monique Limón and Nancy Skinner as its members.

Sacramento, California – Senate Bill 457, a measure introduced by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Canada Flintridge) and Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk (R – Santa Clarita), passed the Senate Floor 35-0. The bill requires the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) Boards of Administration to allow school districts and cities to opt out of investment vehicles issued or owned by the Republic of Turkey. 

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today on the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer:

“The tragic anniversary of George Floyd’s murder is a painful reminder of systemic racism in our country and the urgent need for police reform,” Sen. Dodd said. “We must work harder to end hate, ensure people of color are treated fairly by law enforcement and hold accountable those who violate their rights.”  

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SACRAMENTO – The Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to help California reduce its reliance on carbon-emitting generators during disaster-driven power outages by assisting the planning of micro-grids, with a priority on low-income communities.

The California state Senate today approved Sen. Nancy Skinner’s SB 524, also known as “Choose Your Own Pharmacist,” on a 38-0 vote. SB 524 will help ensure that patients can use the pharmacy they prefer by prohibiting “patient steering” — a practice in which health care plans and their agents limit what pharmacy can be used, even when the patient’s preferred pharmacy is in the patient’s health plan network.