Caucus News

SACRAMENTO – Five years after California switched the responsibility of providing mental health services in student Individualized Education Programs from county mental health departments to school districts, it is unclear whether the change has actually improved students’ educational progress.

Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) proposal to protect California’s small businesses and the disabled community was approved by the Assembly Judiciary Committee today on a bipartisan vote of 9-0.

Senate Bill 269 is a modified version of last year’s Senate Bill 251, which was also authored by Senator Roth and vetoed by the Governor. SB 269 removes the tax credit that was the focus of the Governor’s veto, reduces the employee ceiling for qualifying businesses from 100 to 50 employees, and makes other clarifying changes.

With grant, Woodland-Davis water project is fully funded, nears completion
(SACRAMENTO, CA) –Today Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) applauded the announcement of an $8.1 million grant of Proposition 1 funding by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for completion of the joint intake and fish screen benefiting the Regional Surface Water Supply Project.

Senator recognized as 2015 Capitol Caregiver for leadership
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – AARP California today honored Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) for her support of family caregivers in 2015, naming her a 2015 Capitol Caregiver.

First bill in California’s history and only second in Nation to codify veterans’ rights into law passes on bipartisan, unanimous vote

Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) announced today that Senate Bill 112, also known as the Veterans Bill of Rights, has passed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on a bipartisan, unanimous vote of 5-0.

State Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, introduced legislation today to require law enforcement officers to securely stow any handgun they leave in vehicles – closing a legal loophole that exempts peace officers from a California gun safety standard.

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Jim Beall to expand the ability of seniors to transfer their property tax savings to a newly purchased home will be heard by the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on Jan. 13.

State Sen. Fran Pavley, left, California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols and Pavley staff member Henry Stern are shown directly above leaking gas well SS-25 on a tour of the Southern California Gas Co. facility in Aliso Canyon near Porter Ranch. 

Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) issued the following statement on Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed 2016-17 budget:

SACRAMENTO -- Today’s order ensures that the moratorium on injecting gas into the storage facility will remain in place until independent experts certify the safety of existing wells and also takes other important steps to protect public health and safety.While the emergency actions taken today are most welcome, they should be seen as first steps in a comprehensive state response to an incident that has done great damage to the residents of Porter Ranch and to California’s environment. The Legislature will consider further actions in the months ahead.