Caucus News

Initial measures of six bill water policy package 
SACRAMENTO – Two water measures focused on saving water by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) passed out of committee yesterday.  Both bills received unanimous bipartisan support. These measures are part of a larger effort by Senator Wolk to improve water management, combat the effects of the drought and climate change in California, and conserve valuable water supplies. 

To help combat misinformation that continues to be perpetuated by some individuals opposed to Senate Bill 277 (Pan/Allen), the I Heart Immunity Campaign, a group of doctors, patients, and public health officials dedicated to increasing vaccination rates, distributed the following Fact vs. Myth sheet:

SACRAMENTO  –  A plan to restore California’s crumbling roads and freeways to make them durable and safe for the 21st century was unveiled Wednesday by Sen. Jim Beall, chairman of the Senate transportation committee.“Senate Bill 16 solves a crisis that threatens our deteriorating streets and highways,’’ Beall said. “California faces a $59 billion backlog in deferred maintenance that will grow by billions every year. Our cities and counties have a backlog of $40 billion in repairs. We must take action now.

(SACRAMENTO, CA)  - Senate Bill (SB) 344, legislation carried by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) to improve road safety by strengthening training requirements for commercial drivers, passed the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on a unanimous vote today.

Wolk bill prohibits carrying concealed weapons on school or college grounds without approval of school or college authorities
SACRAMENTO -- Legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to restrict concealed weapons on school, college, and university campus grounds passed the Senate Public Safety Committee today on a 4-2 vote.

Sacramento-The Senate Public Safety Committee today approved SB 212 authored by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) on a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 6 to 0. The bill will address the proliferation of Butane Hash Oil (BHO) and methamphetamine manufacturing in residential neighborhoods by making it an aggravated felony to manufacture the drugs within close proximity to occupied structures.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg released the following in response to today’s state Board of Equalization study showing California could receive up to $122.6 billion in revenues if it levied an 8.4 percent sales tax on all services (which is the current average sales tax on goods):

The I Heart Immunity Campaign, a group of public health advocates dedicated to increasing California immunization rates, today announced new support for Senate Bill 277 (Pan/Allen), which would eliminate the personal belief exemption option from required school vaccinations in California. The bill, which recently passed the Senate Health Committee 6-2, will be heard by the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee today approved Senate Bill 185, which will require the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) and California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) to divest any holdings in thermal coal companies. More information.

Sacramento, CA – A Senate Joint Resolution authored by Senator Mike McGuire protecting the Smith River watershed received overwhelming support on Thursday, winning approval from the State Senate, and sending the resolution to the State Assembly for its final vote.