Caucus News

Senator Galgiani Announces New Legislation to Fund State Share of Mandated 200 Year Flood Control Assistance for San Joaquin County

SACRAMENTO – A state department whose responsibilities include monitoring hazardous waste facilities will itself be monitored by independent experts, according to provisions sought by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León in the recently approved budget.
The 2015-16 budget signed by Governor Brown last week established a 3-person panel to monitor the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), in addition to a $13 million budget increase to boost its permitting process and hazardous waste oversight operations.

Sacramento, CA – Following through on his commitment to the success of SMART (the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit), Senator Mike McGuire, working hand-in-hand with the SMART Board of Directors and State Transportation officials, announced today that $11 million has been secured for the purchase of additional rail vehicles which will serve northbound service. The additional vehicles are needed to expand capacity and connect the Town of Windsor to the remainder of the SMART system.  

Sacramento, CA – Clearing another major hurdle Monday, Senator Mike McGuire’s historic legislation to forever protect California’s coast from new offshore oil development continues to gain momentum and support as it heads to the full Assembly for final approval.
SB 788 – The California Coastal Protection Act – received bi-partisan support passing with a 7-2 vote in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee Monday afternoon.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) today applauded the California State Transportation Agency’s (CalSTA) announcement of a $41 million grant award toward the purchase of nine fuel-efficient locomotives for Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) Commuter Rail Service.

SACRAMENTO – A key California Assembly policy committee today approved a revised traffic-fine bill by Sen. Bob Hertzberg to improve access to the courts for Californians seeking to contest minor traffic infractions.

SACRAMENTO – Members of the Granada Hills Charter High School Academic Decathlon Team stand with Sen. Bob Hertzberg Monday during special recognition ceremonies on the Senate floor for winning the 2015 National  Academic Decathlon Championship.
Beaming like a proud parent, Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, introduced the 11-member team and coaches after asking fellow senators a couple of the questions posed during recent competition, such as:
What is the standard reduction potential of gold?
Answer: 1.692.

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission:

“Today's decision by the nation’s highest court supporting redistricting commissions is a victory for California’s open and publicly accessible redistricting process. We hope other states will follow suit now that the Court has removed any question about its constitutionality.”

SACRAMENTO – The state Legislature today honored the millions of immigrants residing in California and the nation with resolutions that point out their leadership and “countless contributions” that have enriched our nation.

Senator presented “Hands on Legislator of the Year Award”
SACRAMENTO—A California nonprofit dedicated to supporting family farms honored Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) recently for her support of family farmers and sustainable agriculture.
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) presented Wolk its “Hands on Legislator of the Year Award” at a dinner in Davis last Saturday in recognition of “her hands on efforts to support family farmers and climate friendly farming” and her authorship of Senate Bill 367, the Agriculture Climate Benefits Act.