Caucus News

SACRAMENTO ­– Yesterday, Senator Bradford honored Ms. Michelle Smith-Ballard, as the Woman of the Year for the 35th Senate District. Ms. Smith-Ballard currently serves as the Vice President of Community and Citizenship for Turner Construction Company with over 38 years of construction experience. She is responsible for the diversity outreach program on the construction of the new, state of the art Los Angeles Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park in Inglewood where she is overseeing one of the largest diversity and local hire programs in the region.

Sacramento, CA – The State of California is making a massive investment in Highway 101 and the Last Chance Grade. Senator Mike McGuire, Assemblymember Jim Wood and Congressman Jared Huffman, in partnership with Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission (CTC), announced that $40 million in funding to complete the environmental review of the Last Chance Grade Project was approved by a vote of the CTC today.  The funding will allow Caltrans to evaluate each of the potential routes and ultimately decide on a preferred route alternative.

Sierra Madre, California – On March 11, 2019, Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge) hosted the first of two Senior Seminars with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Office of State Controller Betty Yee, and the Office of Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, at the Hart Park House Senior Center in Sierra Madre. The representatives from each office shared information on different programs and services offered and answered numerous clarifying questions. Over 40 seniors attended Monday’s senior seminar.

Guest Press Release

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Honorable Senator HollyJ. Mitchell, Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal
Review Committee, issued a call-to-action today to a broad coalition of human service policy makers and
discusses next steps in transforming the lives of California children.

“Our human capital is the biggest asset we have, and I am clear that investing in our youngest children, with equity as a framework and
empowerment as an end goal, will allow them to thrive,” said Mitchell.

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement by Governor Gavin Newsom to impose an indefinite moratorium on carrying out the death penalty:

“Personally, I commend Governor Newsom for having the courage and the conviction to take this important step.

Sacramento, CA – Senator Mike McGuire released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s announcement today on the death penalty:

State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, issued the following statement in support of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to suspend capital punishment in California:

“I strongly support Gov. Newsom’s action to suspend California’s death penalty, and I deeply respect his moral courage.

SACRAMENTO – A bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would increase legislative oversight of the controversial Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta WaterFix project and allow for more public scrutiny has cleared its first committee hurdle. Senate Bill 204 passed the Natural Resources and Water committee Tuesday on a 6-0 vote.

Claremont, California – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge) co- hosted a Gun Violence Legislation discussion with The League of Women Voters - Mt. Baldy Chapter, Pomona College’s Department of Politics, Brady Campaign and Moms Demand Action this past Sunday on the Pomona College Campus.  The event was part of the League of Woman Voters Mt. Baldy Area’s Yearlong Speaker Series. Panelists shared public policy insights, new perspectives and reform ideas from the Senator and local community activists.

Sacramento, CA – California has faced an unprecedented series of mega-wildland fires over the past decade – some of the most destructive and deadly in American history.

This week, a joint hearing of the Senate Governance & Finance Committee and the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee will review residential development in some of the Golden State’s most fire prone regions and how state and local governments can keep residents safe in communities that are within the Wildland Urban Interface.