Press Releases

Senate Leader Toni Atkins, Senator Shannon Grove’s Legislation to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program to All of California Has Been Signed by Governor Newsom

September 30, 2022

Sacramento –Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) announced that Senate Bill 1183, their bipartisan legislation in partnership with The Dollywood Foundation to establish the Imagination Library of California Statewide Program, has been signed by Governor Newsom. The Imagination Library of California statewide program will work with local partners in each county to mail free, age-appropriate books directly to California’s early readers every month, from birth until age five.

Legislative Leaders Address New Plans to Lower Gas Prices for California Drivers

September 30, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) released the following statement following Governor Newsom’s proposal to implement a windfall profits tax, and his announcement directing the California Air Resources Board to immediately take steps necessary to allow early transition to winter-blend gasoline:

Landmark Atkins/Dodd Bill to Expand Recycling Program Signed by Governor

September 28, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Legislation written by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) to add wine and distilled spirits bottles to California’s longtime bottle recycling program has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Governor Newsom Signs Senate Leader Atkins’ Critical Reproductive Access Legislation

September 27, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement following Governor Gavin Newsom signing into law SB 1375, which would allow qualified nurse practitioners to provide first trimester abortions without the supervision of a physician:

ICYMI: Senate Leader Atkins’ Bills to Enhance San Diego River Conservancy, Help Military Families Signed Into Law

September 19, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) has recently had two San Diego-focused bills signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom this month – SB 1027 and SB 1041.

Atkins Statement on Governor Signing Senate’s Ambitious Climate Package

September 16, 2022

SACRAMENTO — Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) today released the following statement on Governor Newsom signing legislation included in the Senate Democrat’s 2022 Climate Package:

Frank Robinson and Paulina Gonzalez-Brito Appointed to the CalAccount Blue Ribbon Commission

September 7, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), appointed Frank Robinson and Paulina Gonzalez-Brito to the CalAccount Blue Ribbon Commission on August 29. The statute creating this new committee includes specific requirements for the appointees; Gonzalez-Brito fills the position for a public banking advocate and Robinson fills the position for an individual with banking expertise.

ICYMI: Statements from Senate Leader Atkins on Legislative Actions, Accomplishments

September 1, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) has issued statements in recent days regarding many important issues facing California, as well as legislation she authored that recently passed the Legislature. For more information about Pro Tem Atkins and her work for Senate District 39 and all of California, click here.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on End of Session, Decisive Climate Actions

September 1, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement following the end of the 2021-22 Legislative Session:

Senate Leader Atkins, Budget Chair Skinner Applaud Final Budget Allocations Approved by Legislature

August 31, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review,  released the following statements regarding the Senate’s passage of the August Budget Package, a series of bills to further delineate 2022-23 budget funding that will bolster California’s commitment to putting its wealth to work to benefit all who live in the Golden State:

 Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: