Press Releases

Assembly, Senate Leaders Announce Selection of Cara Jenkins As Next Legislative Counsel

November 18, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) announced today the selection of Cara Jenkins as their candidate for the California State Legislature’s new Legislative Counsel.

Jenkins, who has served as a leading member of the Legislative Counsel’s Office for the past 10 years, will be confirmed in a vote by both houses on December 7, 2020, the first day of the 2021-2022 session.

Legislative Analyst’s Office Fiscal Projections Coming This Week—Expect Challenging Times to Continue, But Opportunity for Budget Improvements

November 17, 2020

SACRAMENTO – With the Legislative Analyst’s Office scheduled to release its annual forecast this week, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), along with Senate Democratic Caucus colleagues, have begun planning for the year ahead.

Senate Leader Atkins Names Serving Seniors 2020 Nonprofit of the Year

October 27, 2020

SAN DIEGO, CA– State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) has announced the selection of Serving Seniors, a San Diego-based nonprofit committed to providing low-income and homeless seniors with wraparound services, as the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 39.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, Senator Atkins will make her formal announcement virtually during the organization’s October 27 Board Meeting.

​​​​​​​Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Supreme Court Appointment

October 26, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court:

Senate Leader Atkins, Senator Mitchell Praise $400 Million Allocation of COVID-19 Relief to Aid Californians

October 21, 2020

SACRAMENTO – With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to adversely impact Californians, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) praised a collaborative solution reached by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Governor’s Office to allocate $400 million in funding for Project Homekey and legislative COVID-19 priorities, including child care, food banks, and diaper banks.

Senate Leader Atkins on Exide Bankruptcy Ruling: ‘An affront to all Californians’

October 16, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement today following the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Delaware ruling that Exide Technologies may abandon its shuttered battery recycling plant in Vernon:

Senate Leader Atkins, Community Partners Distribute Thousands of Free USDA Food Boxes, Masks to Families in Need

October 16, 2020

SACRAMENTO – In an effort to help San Diego families impacted by the financial hardships heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Congressman Scott Peters (D-San Diego), and Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) joined with community partners today to distribute thousands of free USDA food boxes and masks to those in need.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Appointment of Justice Martin Jenkins to California Supreme Court

October 5, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the appointment of Justice Martin J. Jenkins to the California Supreme Court:

2020 Skivvies for Stand Down

September 25, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Veterans Village of San Diego Stand Down donation drive will be held on one day, Friday October 9 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Senate Leader Atkins Applauds Governor Newsom’s ‘Bold Vision’ to Reduce Pollution  

September 23, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 and take action on additional measures to reduce demand for fossil fuel in California: