Caucus News

Transgender Work Opportunity Act will expand anti-harassment training and require poster for businesses

SACRAMENTO, CA – Responding to high unemployment among transgender workers, Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) introduced the Transgender Work Opportunity Act (Senate Bill 396). Senate Bill 396 combats discrimination and encourages greater inclusion of transgender Californians in the work force.

Sacramento, CA – On Wednesday, Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) recognized Westside Food Bank as Senate District 26’s Nonprofit of the Year.  Outstanding nonprofit honorees from legislative districts across the state attended a luncheon in Sacramento.  Executive Director, Bruce Rankin, was unable to attend the ceremony, but was represented by his wife, Catherine Wagar, who accepted the award from Senator Allen.

Sacramento – A growing number of statewide and regional organizations in California, representing thousands of members, are lining up in support of SB 775, the Cap and Trade bill unveiled last month by Senator Bob Wieckowski and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León. The groups include climate activists, environmental justice organizations, consumer advocates, physicians, cities and academics. 

SACRAMENTO, CA – The state Legislature passed a bill by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) aimed at bolstering funds for Napa County’s farmworker housing centers. Co-authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), this legislation allows grapegrowers to increase their self-assessment fee to help bolster funds for farmworker housing.

“Arnold Lee was a great believer in community empowerment, the importance of education, giving back, and paying it forward,” said Senator Hill. “His many career and volunteer efforts, often in leadership roles, attest to his strong commitment to honoring his heritage as well as the values that resonate in the country of his birth and in the country in which he made his home. He instilled that great love of community service in others. Arnold Lee also was a family man and was deeply proud of children, his grandchildren, and the 55 years he shared with his wife, Mimi.”

Sacramento –  Today, Senators Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) adjourned the California State Senate in memory of Arnold C. Lee of Millbrae, who died at the age of 80 on June 23. Arnold was a leader in the Chinese community, including serving as president of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, and as a board member of the Lee Family Association and of the Central Chinese High School in America.

Senators Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), the joint authors of the Healthy California Act (Senate Bill 562), released this statement in response to the Assembly Rules Committee’s decision not to hear the bill before the July 14 legislative deadline:

Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) measure to address the State’s housing crisis has been approved by the Assembly Local Government Committee on a bipartisan, unanimous vote of 9-0.

Sacramento – Today, Senate Bill 35, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) to address California’s housing shortage, cleared a key Assembly Committee, an important step as the bill makes its way through the State Assembly after passing the Senate earlier this month.

Sacramento – Latinas in STEM, an organization seeking to inspire and empower Latinas in K-12, college and professional careers to pursue and thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) opportunities was named Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont).  The organization was recognized today at the 2nd Annual California Nonprofits Day at the state Capitol.