Caucus News

(SACRAMENTO) – Yesterday, Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside), Senate Bill (SB) 1199, which would establish a University of California, Riverside School of Medicine (UCRSOM) acute care teaching hospital in Riverside County, unanimously passed out of the Senate Education Committee and is headed to Senate Appropriations. With its own hospital, UCRSOM will be able to fortify a pipeline of physicians and provide a healthcare platform with the highest standard of care for the Inland Southern California region.

Sacramento, CA – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) issued the following statement on the recent approval of $6.8 million in Measure W funds by the Upper Los Angeles River Watershed Area Steering Committee for Descanso Gardens. 

Senator Dave Cortese (D-Silicon Valley) made the following statement regarding the California Senate proposed investment of $20 billion in transportation projects statewide.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senate Budget & Fiscal Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) announced today the second phase of the Senate’s “Putting Wealth to Work” budget proposal, which would continue to prioritize a more equitable economy to benefit struggling and middle class families and build  historic levels of reserves.

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 986, a measure authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) and Senator Tom Umberg (D – Santa Ana) to combat catalytic converter theft, passed the Senate Public Safety Committee.  SB 986 tackles catalytic converter theft by requiring dealers to apply a vehicle identification number (VIN) to the catalytic converter of each vehicle listed for sale and is supported by the California District Attorneys Association and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore.

Sacramento, CA – California is facing a mental health crisis. Thousands of residents struggle with mental health conditions across the state and for a variety of reasons, many don’t have access to treatment which can lead to increased risk of unemployment, homelessness, suicide, and substance abuse. 

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senate Budget & Fiscal Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) announced today the second phase of the Senate’s “Putting Wealth to Work” budget proposal, which would continue to prioritize a more equitable economy to benefit struggling and middle class families and build  historic levels of reserves.

Sacramento, CA – The Senate Health Committee approved Senate Bill 1207, a measure authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) which would improve maternal mental health support by providing outreach services, education and access to mental health treatment. 

Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) released the following statement Wednesday after his legislation, SB 989, passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

SACRAMENTO – State Senator Dr. Richard Pan’s SB 1479 to require schools to develop COVID-19 testing plans, and Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber’s AB 1797 to update California’s immunization registry, passed out of Legislative Committees and both advance to their respective house of origin Appropriations Committee.