Press Releases

Following Draft SCOTUS Opinion, Legislative Leaders and Governor Newsom Announce Constitutional Amendment to Enshrine the Right to Choose in California

May 2, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Governor Gavin Newsom released the below statement following news reports detailing a preliminary U.S. Supreme Court majority draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade and end federal constitutional protections for the right to abortion: 

Senate Budget Priorities Harness California’s Wealth to Bolster Families, Businesses, and Invest in Major Issues

April 28, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senate Budget & Fiscal Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) announced today the second phase of the Senate’s “Putting Wealth to Work” budget proposal, which would continue to prioritize a more equitable economy to benefit struggling and middle class families and build  historic levels of reserves.

Senator Shannon Grove, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins Champion Legislation to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program to All of California

April 27, 2022

Sacramento—Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) announced today their bipartisan legislation in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to establish California’s first Statewide Imagination Library Program unanimously passed the Senate Education Committee today.

Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Enhance Zero Carbon Goals, Meet Needs of Working Californians

April 19, 2022

SACRAMENTO – After months of work to determine solutions that would enhance the state’s ability to meet the challenges of climate change, adaptation, and resiliency through an equitable lens, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), State Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), and State Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) announced today that they have introduced the Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act of 2022.

What Others Are Saying: California Women’s Health Care Leaders, Advocates Weigh in on Senate Leader Atkins’ Nurse Practitioner Bill

April 18, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ nurse practitioner legislation, SB 1375, has garnered strong support from a large coalition of women’s health care organizations and professional groups, non-profits, and public health experts.

Senate Leader Atkins’ Legislation to Strengthen Legal Process for Supervised Civil Commitment of Sexually Violence Predators Passes Senate Public Safety Committee

April 5, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Public Safety Committee today passed SB 1034, legislation by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) that strengthens the process for consideration of civil commitment of sexually violent predators and creates a housing committee of legal and local stakeholders to evaluate individuals and community safety needs after a court has determined that the person can be safely released back into the community with supervision.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Rent Relief Legislation

March 31, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding AB 2179, rent relief legislation that was passed by the Senate and signed into law by Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis today:

Darshana R. Patel Appointed to the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs

March 30, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), today appointed Darshana R. Patel, Ph.D. to the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. Dr. Patel was nominated by the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.

Ramon Rubalcava Reappointed to the Public Employees Retirement System Board of Administration

March 30, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), has reappointed Ramon Rubalcava to the Board of Administration for the Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) concurred in this joint appointment.

Jesse Conner Appointed to the Paramedic Disciplinary Review Board

March 30, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), appointed Captain Jesse Conner to the Paramedic Disciplinary Review Board. Captain Conner will serve as the Rules Committee’s appointment for a field paramedic with at least five years of experience as an Advanced Life Support provider.