Caucus News

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) announced that applications for the 2017-18 California Senate, Assembly, Executive and Judicial Fellowship programs are available.  

The programs provide college graduates with an opportunity to become full-time staff members in Sacramento for 11 months beginning in October 2017.  Fellowships are jointly operated by the three branches of state government and the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS).

Sacramento – Corporations found by a court to be liable for punitive damages for committing the most egregious violations of law will no longer be able to deduct the amount of the damage awards on their taxes as a “business expense” under a bill introduced today by State Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont).  SB 66 would eliminate the tax break for punitive damages and ensure corporations are not rewarded for their blatant violations of law.

Sacramento, CA – This morning, Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D - La Cañada Flintridge), Chair of Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education issued the following statement:

By Melanie Mason

Bracing for an adversarial relationship with President-elect Donald Trump, the California Legislature has selected former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. to serve as outside counsel to advise on the state’s legal strategy against the incoming administration.

State Senator Jerry Hill and Assemblymember Evan Low introduced Senate Bill 65 today to outlaw smoking marijuana while driving. The legislation, prompted by Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, closes a loophole in Proposition 64, the recreational marijuana initiative, which makes it illegal to have an open container of pot in a vehicle but fails to specifically address the use of marijuana products while behind the wheel.

(Riverside, CA) -- Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) issued the following statement on the passing of Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit:

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, introduced legislation today to extend a tax checkoff for food banks through 2026, ensuring that Californians can choose to donate some of their state tax refund to help feed the hungry by marking a box on their returns.
The Emergency Food for Families Fund has appeared on tax returns since 1998 as a donation option, but it is scheduled to disappear beginning in 2019, without legislation action.

SACRAMENTO – California Senators Jerry Hill and Ben Allen introduced a joint resolution today calling upon other states to pass National Popular Vote (NPV) legislation to ensure that electoral votes for the president of the United States reflect the will of American voters.

San Diego, CA… California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) announced today that State Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) has been reappointed to lead the Senate Energy, Utility, and Communications Committee.   This will be Senator Hueso’s second legislative session serving as Chair.  His jurisdiction covers bills relating to utilities, energy companies, alternative energy development and conservation, and communications development and technology.

Glendale, CA –  This morning, Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León announced standing committee chairs and committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session.  Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D - La Cañada Flintridge) has been selected to serve as Chair of Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education.