California Government

Calif. State Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra Introduces Legislation to Establish Hate Crime Registry

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, on the first day of the 2017-18 California Legislative Session, Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-San Fernando Valley) introduced legislation to establish the California Hate Crimes Registry, which would make public the names of those criminals convicted of a hate crime and the crimes of which they were convicted, while protecting the confidentiality of the victims.

Speaker Rendon Strikes Defiant Tone for State as Calif. Assembly Reconvenes on Eve of Trump Presidency

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Shortly after being re-elected as leader of the Calif. Assembly, Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) stuck a defiant tone calling for the "protection of Californians against the incoming presidential administration" in his remarks to the newly sworn-in Assemblymembers.

Calif. Governor Brown Appointments for Nov. 21-29, 2016 including California Student Aid Commission

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ --This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Michael Martel, 62, of Rancho Murieta, has been appointed warden at the California Health Care Facility, Stockton, where he has been acting warden since August 2016 and served as chief deputy warden in 2016 and as a correctional lieutenant from 1990 to 1996.

Calif. Gov. Brown Names U.S. Congressman Xavier Becerra California’s Next Attorney General

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today named U.S. Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) to replace Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last month. The nomination, which is subject to confirmation by the California State Assembly and Senate, will be officially submitted after Attorney General Harris resigns.

Latino Victory Project Condemns President Elect Trump’s ‘Voter Fraud’ False Allegations

OPINION: Yesterday, Donald Trump reacted to the election recount in Wisconsin and to the news that Hillary Clinton has over 2 million more popular votes than him, by lashing out on Twitter and arguing election fraud. President-elect Donald J. Trump claimed through social media that he “won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.”

California Assembly Democrats Unanimously Retain Anthony Rendon as Speaker

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- At their organizational caucus today, Calif. Assembly Democrats chose Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) to continue as their party’s leader...

Proponents of California Plastic Bag Ban Declare Landmark Victory for Proposition 67

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Californians have voted to enact a state law to ban plastic shopping bags, the first state in the nation to do so. Proposition 67, the referendum on the state law (Senate Bill 270) passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September 2014, is leading by 52-48 percent.

Representative Democracy for a Growing California: Should Counties Have Elected Executives and Larger Boards?

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This past Thursday, Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), and Senator Robert Hertzberg (D-Van...

Calif. Gov. Brown Appointments for Oct. 6-7, 2016 include California Cybersecurity Integration Center

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- During the first week of Oct. 2016, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Keith...

Calif. Speaker Rendon Names Assemblymember Ken Cooley as Next Rules Committee Chair

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) today announced that Assemblymember Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) will become the chair of...

Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto receives James Hansen Courage Award for Work on CPUC Reform

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) was presented with the James Hansen Courage Award on Thursday from Environmental...

Gov. Brown, Calif. Legislative Leaders, Business, Environmental Groups Mark 2-Year Anniversary of Plastic Bag Ban Law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and legislative leaders today joined more than 400 business, environmental, and local citizen groups in celebrating the two-year anniversary of the signing of Senate Bill 270, announced CA vs. Big Plastic. SB270, the state’s plastic bag ban, urging voters to support Proposition 67, the referendum on the law that will appear on the November ballot.

Calif. Assemblymember O’Donnell Bill to Boost School Attendance Signed by Governor – AB 2815

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) to ensure students attend and stay in school was signed by Governor Brown on Thursday. AB 2815 expands the role of district and county attendance supervisors so they can effectively address the root causes of chronic absenteeism.

Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation to Bolster Transparency, Oversight, Reform at California PUC

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Moving to bolster governance, accountability, transparency and oversight at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Governor Edmund G. Brown...

Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Legislation to Help California Workers Save for Retirement – SB 1234

SACRAMENTO, Cailf. /California Newswire/ -- Taking action to boost financial security for all Californians, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed SB 1234 by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), that will create new retirement savings accounts for the nearly seven million workers who do not have one.

Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Earthquake Early Warning Legislation – SB 438

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed legislation - SB 438 by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) - to help advance the development of a statewide earthquake early warning system in California.

Calif. Gov. Brown Continues Busy Week: Vetoes Bills and Signs New Laws Sept. 29, 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.announced that he has signed various assembly bills and senate bills, including AB 1639 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein.

Calif. Gov. Signs Bill Banning California State-Funded Travel to States with New Anti-LGBT Laws – AB1887

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Governor Jerry Brown this week signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1887, authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) and...

Calif. Gov. Brown Issues Legislative Updates for Sept. 22-23, 2016: Bills Signed and Vetoed

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed a wide range of bills, including...

Calif. Governor Brown Signs Consumer Protection Legislation including AB 1580

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed the following bills to strengthen consumer health...

Calif. Gov. Brown Signs Nation’s Toughest Super Pollutant Restrictions Into Law

LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed SB 1383 by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), which establishes the nation's toughest restrictions on destructive super pollutants including black carbon, fluorinated gases and methane. If followed worldwide, these acts would help cut the projected rate of global warming in half by 2050.

Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 8, 2016 including California State Rehabilitation Council

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Victoria Benson, 62, of Fresno, has been reappointed to the California State Rehabilitation Council, where she has served since 2014. Benson has been adult transition project coordinator at the Exceptional Parents Unlimited Region 3 Parent Training and Information Center since 2005.

Calif. Governor Brown Signs Ambitious and Historic Climate Change Legislation

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Ten years after California adopted the toughest greenhouse gas emission reduction goals in the nation, Calif. Governor Edmund...

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Sept. 6, 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Joyce E. Dudley, 63, of Carpinteria,...

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Sept. 2016 National Preparedness Month

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, the first day of September, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued a proclamation declaring September 2016 as “National Preparedness Month” in the State of California. The text of the proclamation follows.

Calif. Governor Brown, Legislative Leaders Announce CAP-and-Trade Expenditure Plan Agreement

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony...

Calif. Governor Brown Signs Legislation including AB 1564, 1658 and more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that he has signed various Assembly Bills, including: AB 1564...

California Legislative Black Caucus Announces Leadership for the 2017-18 Session

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) today announced its Caucus leadership for the 2017-18 legislative session. After the election...

Calif. Assembly Concludes Productive, Prudent & Progressive 2015-16 Legislative Session

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement after the Assembly gaveled down on the 2015-2016 legislative...

Calif. Legislation to Create Nation’s Strongest Wage Equality Law Approved by State Assembly – SB1063

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Assembly today approved SB 1063 by Senator Isadore Hall, III (D – South Bay), which will...

Calif. Assembly Speaker Rendon Statement on Passage of Climate Change Legislation – SB32

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement after the Assembly passed Senate Bill 32 to extend...

Calif. Assembly Speaker Rendon Statement on Cap and Trade Spending Plan

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement regarding a cap and trade spending plan: "A responsible...

Valley Industry and Commerce Assoc. Endorses ‘Yes’ Vote On Calif. Plastic Bag Ban Prop 67

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California vs. Big Plastic recently announced that The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) added its support for...

Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto and Gov. Brown Announce Sweeping CPUC Reforms

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), the author of ACA 11 (which passed the Assembly by a 61-9 vote...

Calif. State Assembly Approves Senator Mendoza Legislation to Prevent Wage Theft from California Workers – SB 1342

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A measure, SB 1342, authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) that would protect workers by paving the way...

Speaker Rendon, Budget Chair Ting on the Assembly Passing the California 2016-17 State Budget

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) and Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) issued the following statements Wednesday...

Calif. Asm. O'Donnell Declares Budget Agreement a Win for the California College Promise and Fiscal Responsibility

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) issued this statement following the passage of the 2016-2017 budget agreement: “Today’s...

New Data Shows California Ahead of Schedule in Meeting Governor Brown's Green Goals for 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- New data released today shows California is shrinking its environmental footprint and is ahead of schedule in meeting Governor...

Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law Approved by Calif. State Assembly Transportation Committee – SB 1072

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The “Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law” authored by Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) was approved today by the...

Nine Millbrae California Residents Honored for 130 Years of Service

MILLBRAE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, June 14, nine Millbrae residents will be recognized for their 130 years of combined service to the...

Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for June 9, 2016 including Contractors State License Board

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Peter Cervinka, 44, of Sacramento, has...

Calif. 'Teacher Bill of Rights' Bill by Senator Tony Mendoza Approved by State Senate – SB1225

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Senate Bill 1225, authored by Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), was approved by the State Senate this week. The...

Calif. Asm. O’Donnell Bill to Help Foster Youth Achieve Academic Success Passes Assembly – AB 2656

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legislation by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) ensuring foster youth can attain their educational and economic goals passed...

U.S. African American Buffalo Soldiers to Be Honored by Calif. State Senate at Capitol Ceremony

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers, an historic group of African American service members, Calif. Senator...

California Legislation Supporting Arts Education Sails Through Assembly – AB 2862

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- AB 2862, by Calif. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), promoting visual and performing arts education won Assembly approval today....

Calif. Asm. Hall Legislation to Create Nation's Strongest Wage Equality Law Approved by State Senate

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California State Senate this week approved SB 1063 by Senator Isadore Hall, III (D – South Bay), which...

Calif. Speaker Rendon Announces Assemblymembers to Serve on Budget Conference Committee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This week, Calif. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) appointed the following members of the Assembly to serve on the...

Calif. Gov. Brown to Host Inaugural Subnational Clean Energy Ministerial in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Moving to further mobilize states, provinces and cities in the fight against climate change, Governor Edmund G. Brown...

Calif. Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for May 31, 2016 including State 9-1-1 Advisory Board

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Amy Miller, 42, of Folsom, has been...

Calif. Senator Mendoza Calls for Review of State Workers' Compensation Anti-Fraud Efforts

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A series of news stories highlighting billions of dollars in workers’ compensation fraud in California over the last several...