Caucus News

SACRAMENTO, CA – The state Senate passed a bipartisan resolution by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) declaring March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in California. The purpose of the declaration is to raise public awareness of problem gambling and connect individuals in need with treatment.

“Awareness and access to services are critical for anyone struggling with addiction, and that includes those facing gambling problems," said Senator Dodd. “I hope this will promote better understanding of problem gambling and prompt people struggling with problem gambling seek help.”

Colleagues, I’d like to begin with an expression of profound gratitude to you for this privilege.

Every day, I’m struck by your energy and intellect.  I’m inspired by your passion for public service.  I will never stop striving to earn the trust you’ve placed in me.  Nor will I ever take for granted the gravity of this gavel.  
 

Sacramento –  Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement after Senator Toni Atkins was officially elected to serve as the President pro Tempore of the California State Senate:

Eureka, CA – Last November, Senator Mike McGuire and Humboldt County Supervisor Virginia Bass brought the community together for a collaborative conversation about the opioid crisis at home and across the state to kick off the discussion that would advance potential solutions on the North Coast.

The opioid crisis has hit California hard, and in Humboldt County the impact is even more devastating — the county has the second highest rate of opioid overdoses in the state per capita.

SACRAMENTO – On Friday, March 23rd at 10:30am, Senator Connie M. Leyva and Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez—along with City of Ontario and California Strategic Growth Council leaders, community activists, and related stakeholders—are announcing and celebrating the recent $35 million competitive grant award by the state to Ontario as part of their Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program.

Sacramento –  Today the Senate Public Safety Committee passed a bill authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) to close a loophole that hampers prosecutions for automobile break-ins. Senate Bill 916 allows prosecutors to prove that a defendant committed an auto burglary by showing that he or she broke a car window with the intent to commit theft.  It was passed with bipartisan support in the Senate Public Safety Committee, and now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

Sacramento –  Today the Assembly Public Safety committee approved a bill by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) to protect immigrants from irrelevant disclosures of their immigration status in open court. Senate Bill 785 is sponsored by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon and is co-authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco). SB 785 was approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee by a unanimous and bipartisan vote.

SACRAMENTO –Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) was appointed Chair of the Banking and Financial Institution Committee, approved by the Senate Rules Committee on March 14th.  The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance, Banking and Financial Institutions was restructured into two separate committees, the Senate Standing Committee on Insurance and the Senate Standing Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions. The two committees were previously combined by Senate President pro Tempore, Kevin De Leon in May, 2017.

Sacramento, California – Today, Senator Portantino, D – La Cañada Flintridge, honors National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with legislation, SB 1154. The bill would require the State Department of Health Care Services to determine a per capita rate of payment to Medi-Cal recipients with HIV or AIDS.

SACRAMENTO – State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) honored Stephanie Bucuroaia of Castro Valley High School and Luke Cho of Live Oak Academy in the state Capitol today as the California Poetry Out Loud champions for Alameda and Santa Clara counties.

“Stephanie and Luke understand the power and magic of words and their ability to inspire, move and educate us,” said Wieckowski, whose district includes parts of both counties. “They are two outstanding students who have excelled in this competition.”