Caucus News

SACRAMENTO (June 15, 2017) -- Listen to Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, talk about the 2017-18 budget approved by lawmakers today.

Sacramento – Yesterday, the California Legislature approved the Cannabis Safe Payment Act as part of the California Budget. Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) partnered with Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Board of Equalization Chair Fiona Ma (who sponsored the bill) to introduce Senate Bill 148 to make it safer and simpler for cannabis business owners to pay state fees and taxes, encouraging compliance with state laws and providing support for business owners.

California budget also blocks new or expanded detention contracts with city and county jails and increases oversight

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced that the California Department of Justice will begin reviewing the conditions under which immigrants are civilly detained in California while they await immigration hearings.

Sacramento --- The California State Budget will allocate $11.3 million to Compton Community College. These funds will support the preparatory work necessary for Compton Community College to register students as an independently accredited college beginning in the summer of 2020.

“I am excited about the future of Compton College under the leadership of Dr. Keith Curry. I have no doubt that Compton College will provide our families and children with excellent educational opportunities within our community.” said Senator Steve Bradford.

“I am pleased to support a balanced budget that provides for childcare, education, and social services.  This is a well-balanced, fiscally responsible framework for the 2017-2018 fiscal calendar.  The commitment to investing in education, reestablishing top-tier social programs, and supporting the effectiveness of the judicial system will combat poverty, protect working-class Californians, and increase safety for all the citizens of this great state.  As chair of the Senate Labor Committee, I applaud the Governor for his progressive approach.”

SACRAMENTO – Senator Henry Stern released the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of the 2017-18 state budget: 

“California's economy is surging, and while we could have spent more, this budget shows restraint.  Given the chaos in Washington, and inevitability of future downturns in the economy, bolstering the rainy day fund to $12 billion and reducing long-term pension liabilities makes good fiscal sense,” stated Senator Henry Stern.

SACRAMENTO --  Senator Jim Beall, the chairman of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, issues this statement regarding the new $125 billion general fund state budget approved Thursday by the Legislature:

Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement regarding the passage of a 2017-18 state budget:

Sacramento – State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), a member of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, issued the following statement on Senate passage of the 2017-2018 state budget.

“This budget creates jobs through a real infrastructure plan, increases per pupil funding for the sixth straight year, makes substantial investments in health care, and expands legal aid funding when it is under serious threat from Washington.  It is a strong, on-time budget that reflects the state’s values, while also building reserves for a rainy day. 

Sacramento, CA – As the Chair of Budget Subcommittee on Education, Senator Anthony J. Portantino is proud to announce that the 2017-2018 budget includes significant investments in educational opportunities for California’s diverse communities.