Caucus News

Sacramento, California – Senator Anthony J. Portantino’s (D–La Cañada Flintridge) SB 914 to address concerns related to the tragic synagogue shooting in Poway passed Senate Public Safety and will now go to Senate Appropriations. 

SACRAMENTO­– Taking a step to provide increased oversight of the debt collection industry, the California Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee today approved Senate Bill 908, authored by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), to require debt collectors and buyers to obtain a license in order to collect on debts in California.

SACRAMENTO - Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement regarding his legislation, SB 882, which would make it easier for seniors and those with disabilities to access CalFresh. SB 882 passed the Senate Health Committee with a unanimous bipartisan vote, and will now move on to the Appropriations Committee.

PENNGROVE – Kim Hanson’s JavAmoré Café, which serves as a community hub for Penngrove residents and provided a needed source of food and emotional nourishment during the coronavirus pandemic, has been named Sonoma County’s Small Business of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd.

NAPA – Ben and Ali Koenig, who responded to the coronavirus pandemic by transitioning their popular restaurant, Heritage Eats, into a much-needed food and grocery delivery service, have been named Napa County’s Small Business of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, State Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) issued the following statement on the Fresno County Stage 2 Variance Request:  

As a representative for the southern Central Valley, I’ve experienced firsthand the struggles that rural communities are currently facing due to the pandemic. Local leaders in the communities are grappling with an increase number of unemployment, closure of businesses and limited access to health care services.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation from Sens. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles and Assemblymember Autumn Burke, D- Inglewood, to improve access to high-quality maternity care in California, cleared a key committee today with overwhelming, bipartisan support. Senate Bill 1237, sponsored by the California Nurse-Midwives Association and Black Women for Wellness, also would curb disparities in outcomes for black women and infants and counter the obstetrician shortage – projected to be critical in some counties by 2025.

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today announced the following changes to committees (changes reflected in bold):

Appropriations:

Portantino (Chair), Bates (Vice Chair), Bradford, Hill, Jones, Leyva, and Wieckowski.
Budget and Fiscal Review:

SONOMA – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, will host a virtual town hall 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21 to discuss the public health, educational and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the reopening of the state.

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today’s announcement is a harsh glimpse of the economic challenges we are facing and will continue to face for years to come. The May Revision proposes cuts to essential programs that will impact us all. In anticipation of this, my team and I have been working diligently with our federal partners in the valley to ensure the southern Valley has a voice in any or all stimulus packages approved.