Caucus News

State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, today announced the introduction of a legislative package designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help avoid catastrophic climate change. Sen. Skinner’s 2022 climate package includes bills that would slash emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, speed up the state’s transition to zero emissions vehicles, help decarbonize California’s cement industry, and accelerate the state’s use of a game-changing clean energy source — green hydrogen.

As Chair of the California Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, Senator Dave Cortese (D-Silicon Valley) is proud to joint-author a bill with Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire, introduced today, which would require California, its agencies, CalPERS, and CalSTRS to divest from Russian-based companies and assets.

SACRAMENTO – Dr. Richard Pan, state senator representing the Sacramento region and Chair of the Senate Health Committee made the following statement regarding CalHHS Secretary Ghaly’s announcement that California will implement changes in public masking guidelines:

Sacramento, CA – Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire and a broad, bipartisan coalition of California State Legislators will be introducing legislation to divest state public funds from Russia and Russian-state entities following the unprovoked war against Ukraine.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, today announced his resolution to recognize the month of March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in an effort to bring attention to gambling addiction and connect people with treatment.

“Problem gambling is not only an addiction but it’s also a serious public health concern,” said Sen. Dodd. “We must promote a better understanding and prompt people struggling with problem gambling to seek help. Awareness and access to services are critical for anyone struggling with addiction, and that includes those facing gambling problems.”

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today upon the release of new rules from California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara that will increase affordability and availability of insurance in areas suffering wildfire damage:

In an effort to repurpose the multimillion dollars’ worth of surplus medications that are discarded in California each year, Senator Josh Becker announced legislation today to make it easier for county health systems to operate pharmacies that can fill prescriptions for indigent patients at no cost by using surplus medications that would otherwise go waste.

SACRAMENTO - Senator Scott Wiener released the following statement after Governor Greg Abbott of Texas announced that he would direct child protective services to investigate parents of trans kids for prosecution:

SACRAMENTO - Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced Senate Bill 1106, the Fresh Start Act, which helps people clear their criminal records by ensuring outstanding restitution and restitution fines are not a barrier to expungement. Currently, people across California are frequently denied record sealing and expungement because they are poor and cannot afford to pay outstanding restitution and restitution fines. Restitution debt is often the only thing holding someone back from clearing their record and finding a job and housing.

SACRAMENTO - Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced Senate Bill 886*, the Student and Faculty Housing Act. SB 886 streamlines and accelerates student housing production across the state and increases the supply of housing so more students and faculty can live on campus. SB 886 will give more students the opportunity to attend California’s public colleges and universities.