SACRAMENTO, California – February 12, 025 – Senator Laura Richardson (D-South Bay) joined Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) and a broad coalition of Senators from across the Golden State in announcing a sweeping legislative effort to strengthen California’s wildfire response and recovery, and to make communities more wildfire safe.

Sacramento, CA — Senator Josh Becker (D-San Mateo) and Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) have introduced new legislation to transform and streamline how wildfire mitigation investments are evaluated and coordinated across California. 
SB 326, the Wildfire Mitigation Strategic Planning Act, establishes a comprehensive framework to better align state, federal, industry, and private wildfire prevention efforts, ensuring that every dollar spent delivers maximum protection for communities.

Montebello, CA – After years of advocacy, Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) proudly affirms the State Historical Resources Commission’s unanimous vote today to officially designate the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument located in the 30th Senate District as a California State Historical Landmark.

The people of Moss Landing are experiencing what the people of Pajaro and Capitola have experienced before them. Three weeks after the catastrophic fire, news cameras and reporters are slipping away, they must deal with the aftermath while out of the spotlight.
 

 
SACRAMENTO – In response to new tariffs announced by the Trump Administration, Majority Leader Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) has introduced Senate Bill (SB) 263 – the Protecting Residents, Industries, and California’s Economy (PRICE) Act to study the impacts of these tariffs on businesses, affordability, workers, and the state’s economy.

State Senator John Laird has been appointed to the Legislative Advisory Committee within the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) by Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) and the Senate Rules Committee.

Governor Gavin Newsom and the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education released a groundbreaking report, “Holocaust and Genocide Education in California: A Study of Statewide Context and Local Implementation.” The report investigates the state of education across California to ensure educators and students are empowered with the tools to confront hate, bigotry, and misinformation while fostering empathy and resilience. 

The recent fire at the Moss Landing battery storage facility is deeply troubling, and the community continues to seek answers nearly a week later. The day after the fire began, I joined California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild and other elected leaders at the incident command center in Moss Landing to receive an initial briefing on the fire’s timeline, air quality & environmental concerns, and potential impacts on local residents.

SACRAMENTO – State Senator John Laird, Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education, released the following statement today regarding Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent January Budget proposal for 2025-2026.

$71 M in SoCalGas Penalties from 2015 Blowout to Be Offered to Valley Residents for Discounts on Cleaner Heating and Cooling Equipment, Plus New School and Community Greening Grants