Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins Welcomes Newly Appointed UC President Drake, Thanks Napolitano for Service

July 7, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement on the changing of University of California presidents:

“The University of California has long been a remarkable institution of higher learning and opened pathways for millions of Californians, who now help lead us as the fifth largest economy in the world.

Senate Leader Atkins: Supreme Court Upholds Women’s Rights in Abortion Case Decision Released Today

June 29, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement today regarding the Supreme Court’s 5-to-4 decision to strike down a Louisiana law requiring doctors who provide abortions at clinics to have hospital admitting privileges, calling the law “unconstitutional:”

“The decision by SCOTUS to strike down this latest attempt to erode abortion rights in this country is encouraging and sends a much-needed message to those seeking to strip away women’s rights to govern our own bodies. 

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Budget Vote

June 25, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement after Senate passed California’s 2020-2021 State Budget:

“We started 2020 at an economic high, and pivoted swiftly over the last few months to arrive at a budget plan that is responsible as well as responsive to the needs of Californians. This pragmatic agreement is possible thanks to the responsible budgeting decisions we made over the past decade that built reserves and paid down debts.

Senate Leader Atkins Praises SCOTUS Decision to Uphold DACA

June 18, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement following news today that in a 5-to-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for now, which provides legal protections to youth brought to the U.S. as minors.

Senate, Assembly Announce Statue to be Removed from Capitol Rotunda

June 16, 2020

SACRAMENTO— Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Assembly Rules Committee Chair Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) issued the following joint statement today, after announcing that the statue of Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus in the Capitol Rotunda will be removed:

Senate Leader Atkins Applauds SCOTUS Decision Protecting LGBTQ Workers from Unlawful Termination

June 15, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today released this statement regarding the 6-to-3 U.S. Supreme Court decision that the Title VII Act barring sex discrimination in the workplace also protects LGBTQ workers from being fired on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity:

Senate, Assembly to Hold Budget Vote on June 15; Negotiations Continue with Governor Newsom

June 10, 2020

SACRAMENTO— Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement on the 2020-2021 state budget:

“We entered this process with Legislative budget priorities that are faithful to the pragmatic fiscal structure put forth by Governor Newsom in his May Revision. We shared the goal of closing the $54 billion budget gap and providing strong footing as California enters challenging economic times. 

Senate Leader Atkins Announces Senate Floor Session Schedule

June 4, 2020

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) announced the following Floor session dates:

  • Thursday, June 11 – 9 a.m.
  • Monday, June 15 – 1 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 18 – 9 a.m.
  • Monday, June 22 – 1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 23 – 10 a.m.
  • Wednesday, June 24 – 10 a.m.
  • Thursday, June 25 – 9 a.m.

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Senate, Assembly Reach Agreement on 2020-21 Budget

June 3, 2020

SACRAMENTO— Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), and Budget Committee Chairs, Senator Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Phil Ting (D- San Francisco) announced today an agreement has been reached between the Senate and the Assembly on the proposed 2020-2021 state budget.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Death of George Floyd and Protests Across the Country

June 1, 2020

SACRAMENTO – California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statements reacting to George Floyd’s death and protests across the country:

“It’s hard to believe it has only been one week since George Floyd was brutally and senselessly killed. Another Black American to fall victim to the systemic racism that permeates our society and poisons our system of justice.