Caucus News

Sacramento, CA – Fire Chiefs and firefighters – representing tens of thousands of firefighters from every corner of California – joined local elected officials, community leaders and lawmakers today to call on the Legislature and Governor to increase funding to protect our communities from the rising threats of natural disasters in “California’s New Normal.” This desperately needed funding would be invested in California's severely strained firefighting mutual aid and dispatch systems for both local fire departments and CalFire. 

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, made the following comments today in a joint press conference at the Capitol calling for a $184 million budget allocation to improve the state’s mutual aid system and to support Cal Fire as it battles a rising number of wildfires:

Sacramento, California- Today, Senator Anthony J. Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, joined California Treasurer John Chiang in announcing SB 426, which seeks to cut off state pension investments in companies that sell assault weapons that are banned in California. SB 459 is sponsored by the Treasurer and has already garnered several co-authors including Assemblymember Eloise Reyes and Assemblymember Mike Gipson.

On May 9, 2018, LaToya Cooper of the California Youth Connection shadowed Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, including the filming of this video. Watch until the end!

Sacramento, California – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed SB 1360 and is headed to the Senate Floor for a floor vote. Senator Anthony J. Portantino, D – La Cañada Flintridge, authored SB 1360 which will allow a person with a driver’s license from the Republic of Korea to be exempt from specific testing requirements when applying for a California Driver’s License.

Sacramento –  Today Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement in advance of the California Energy Commission’s decision on whether to require solar panels on new construction in California:

FREMONT – Community leaders in health care, housing, business and domestic violence prevention will be honored by state Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) at his Eighth Annual Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Leadership Awards, Thursday, May 10 in Fremont.

Sacramento, CA – May 8, 2018 – Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) and the Select Committee on California-Mexico Cooperation today hosted an informational hearing titled “The Students We Share: A Discussion on Expanding Educational Opportunities for Trans-border Students.” The hearing involved a discussion between officials from Mexico and California regarding the growing challenges (e.g., language barriers, cultural differences, and education system disparities) faced by students who attend school on both sides of the US-Mexico border at different times during their educationa

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) thanked City Councilmember Joe Buscaino for introducing a resolution in support of Senate Bill 1402, which targets rampant exploitation of truck drivers at California’s ports.

Guest press release

Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, Dr. Nancy Cappello of Are You Dense, Inc., Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. announce new survey results supporting life-saving law set to expire