Caucus News

Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) proposed new law restoring lost funding to Riverside County’s four newest cities passed the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance today on a bipartisan, unanimous vote.

SACRAMENTO – Citing the loss of the ability to drive as a threat to economic security – especially among the working poor – Sen. Bob Hertzberg today announced a plan to reduce the number of motorists who have their driver’s licenses suspended for violations that don’t affect public safety.

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Legislation carried by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) and Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to expand the end of life options available to Californians passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 5 to 2 vote today.  Senate Bill (SB) 128, the End of Life Option Act, will allow a mentally competent adult in the final stages of life due to a terminal illness to request aid-in-dying medication from a physician.  SB 128 now moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Legislation carried by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) and Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to expand the end of life options available to Californians passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 5 to 2 vote today.  Senate Bill (SB) 128, the End of Life Option Act, will allow a mentally competent adult in the final stages of life due to a terminal illness to request aid-in-dying medication from a physician.  SB 128 now moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Sacramento, CA – Legislation authored by Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) to establish a renewable gas standard, Senate Bill (SB) 687, passed the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee today on a vote of 7 - 3.  The state’s gas sector causes one-quarter of California’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and significant air and water pollution.

Undocumented immigrants need protection from injustices of broken national system

SACRAMENTO – Legislative leaders today announced a 10-bill package to protect hardworking undocumented immigrants from fraud, discrimination, lack of health care, and the unintended consequences of our criminal justice system. VIDEO

Sacramento – At a press conference to unveil a legislative package that would enhance protections for undocumented immigrants, Dr. Richard Pan, a State Senator representing Sacramento, announced the introduction of Senate Bill 600, which would prohibit businesses in the state from discriminating against immigrants based on their immigration status, citizenship and language.

Sacramento – Following a State Auditor’s report last December that found both poor access to dental care for Denti-Cal beneficiaries and inadequate state oversight of the program, Dr. Richard Pan asked the Little Hoover Commission to undertake a review of the Denti-Cal program and identify how this vital program should meet its purpose to provide access to dental care for many of the most vulnerable Californians including children.

SACRAMENTO – When the 2015 session resumes Monday, the nearly 1 million residents of the San Fernando Valley represented by Sen. Bob Hertzberg will find him pushing laws to reform state taxes, turn around abysmal voter turnout, improve protections of water systems from earthquakes and help the poor receive free legal help.