Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins’ Abortion Provider Protection Bill Passes Assembly

September 8, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ bill to strengthen protections for California health care providers who provide abortion care services and gender-affirming care services has passed the Assembly on a 64-15 vote.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Passing of Greg Knoll: An Authentic, Compassionate Advocate for Those in Need

August 29, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the death of Greg Knoll, longtime Executive Director and Chief Counsel of the Legal Aid Society of San Diego:

 

Senate Leader Atkins Announces Agreement Reached for Pro Tem Designee, Transition to be Announced in 2024

August 28, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) announced that the Senate Democratic Caucus convened and determined that Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) will be the Pro Tem Designee, with a transition to be announced next year.

Senate Leader Atkins has served as Pro Tem since 2018, and was the first woman to hold the position and the first person in 150 years to serve as both Pro Tem and Assembly Speaker.

Senate Leader Atkins’ Legislation to Expand Reproductive Care Training, Widen Abortion Access Passed by Legislature, Heads to Governor for Signature

August 24, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate Bill 385 passed out of the California State Assembly on a 58-15 vote, marking its final approval by the Legislature. The bill, authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), would expand and modernize reproductive care training for physician assistants, increasing and reinforcing the abortion provider workforce in California.

BRIDGE Project (SB 447) Garners Support in San Diego, Passes First Assembly Committee

July 14, 2023

San Diego, CA – Just days after having passed its first Assembly Committee hearing and with San Diego Pride events underway, State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D- San Diego) held a press conference Friday to highlight her legislation to uplift and support LGBTQ+ communities across the nation.

Joined by a group of vocal supporters, Pro Tem Atkins explained what inspired her to author Senate Bill 447 and why this legislation is critical now more than ever for the LGBTQ+ community.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Reparations Task Force’s Final Report

June 29, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement on the final report released by California’s Reparations Task Force today:

Senate Leader Atkins, Budget Chair Skinner on Final Budget: Protecting Progress for California is Key

June 27, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) released the following statement regarding the budget bill voted on by the Senate today:

Pro Tem Atkins:

Senate Leader Atkins Announces New Select Committee on Infrastructure Streamlining and Workforce Equity

June 27, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) announced that the Senate Rules Committee has created a new committee to hear issues related to the infrastructure package of bills originally proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Legislative Budget Agreement Reached, Vote Expected Thursday

June 12, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) released the following statement about the Legislature reaching an agreement on the 2023-24 fiscal year budget: 

Senate Leader Atkins Names Goodwill Industries of San Diego County as Senate District 39’s 2023 Nonprofit of the Year

June 8, 2023

SAN DIEGO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) is recognizing Goodwill Industries of San Diego County today as the 2023 Nonprofit of the Year for the 39th Senate District.