Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins Opposes Confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh

September 28, 2018

Senate Leader Atkins Opposes Confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement on the pending confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court:

Senate Leader Atkins Encourages Community Based Non-Profit Organization and Local Health Departments to Attend GO-Biz Workshop

September 28, 2018

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) announced that the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has organized a series of workshops throughout the state to solicit input on the new California Community Reinvestment Grants program.

California State Senate Approves Historic Legislation and Funding to Protect the Environment

September 12, 2018

SACRAMENTO – The California Senate once again demonstrated its commitment to addressing climate change and protecting our environment by passing groundbreaking legislation that accelerates the state’s transition away from fossil fuels and safeguards our public lands. The Senate also approved significant investments in environmental protection through the 2018-19 budget.

State Makes Funding Available to Communities to Combat Homelessness

September 6, 2018

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) today announced that the state Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) has notified communities across California that funding is now available from two programs aimed at significantly reducing homelessness: the Homeless Emergency Aid Program and the Atkins-authored Building Homes and Jobs Act.

Senate Leader Atkins’ Gender Recognition Act Takes Effect

September 4, 2018

State Courts Unveil Online Help Center for Californians Applying for Name or Gender Change

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) today encouraged residents seeking a gender and/or conforming name change on their state-issued identity documents to visit the California Courts’ online help center for assistance with new procedures established by two pieces of legislation authored by Atkins and signed by Governor Jerry Brown last year.  

California State Senate Highlights 2018 Legislative Accomplishments

August 31, 2018

SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate closed the 2018 legislative session this evening approving significant initiatives that support California’s working families, invest in our education system, protect our environment and prepare California for the harsh new realities of climate change.

“I am proud of the work we have done this year,” said Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins. “We continue to be one of the nation’s most active and effective legislative bodies, confronting age-old inequities and finding innovative solutions to new problems.”

California State Senate to Vote on Comprehensive Report to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires and Protect Californians

August 31, 2018

SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate will today take up SB 901, the comprehensive legislative report detailing plans for preventing future catastrophic wildfires across the state while protecting utility ratepayers from unfairly bearing the costs of wildfire impacts.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, calls SB 901 a “commonsense solution that puts ratepayers and victims first, embraces wildfire-prevention best practices and reduces fire fuel in our forests.”

Senate Approves $10 million for Services for Survivors of Human Trafficking

August 31, 2018

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) today announced that the Senate has passed legislation that appropriates $10 million in fiscal year 2018-2019 to provide services for survivors of human trafficking.

The budget funding is enabled by Senate Bill 862, passed on the Senate and Assembly floors this week.

Senate Leader Atkins Addresses Next Steps on AB 931

August 29, 2018

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement on Assembly Bill 931 by Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego):

“AB 931 has sparked one of the most urgently important debates of this legislative session.

San Diego-Area Environmental Justice Neighborhoods Recommended for Community Air Protection Program

August 24, 2018

SACRAMENTO – The Portside Environmental Justice Neighborhoods of San Diego, including Barrio Logan, West National City, Logan Heights and Sherman Heights, have been recommended as one of ten finalists for air quality monitoring under the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP), established by AB 617 (2017).