Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins, Former Senator Kehoe Mourn Passing of Longtime District Policy Advisor Deanna Spehn

November 14, 2022

SAN DIEGO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), former Senator Christine Kehoe, colleagues, and the community are mourning the passing of Deanna Spehn, a beloved policy director who served both leaders.

Senate Leader Atkins Hails Passage of Constitutional Amendment to Protect Abortion Rights, Commits to Continued Legislative Action

November 9, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the apparent victory of Proposition 1, which will enshrine the right to abortion and contraceptives in the California State Constitution, and further legislative efforts to protect reproductive rights:

Senate Leader Atkins, Legislators, Health Care Leaders Celebrate Signing of SB 1375, Reproductive Access Legislation

October 10, 2022

SAN DIEGO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), fellow legislators, and reproductive rights leaders from across the state gathered in San Diego today to celebrate Pro Tem Atkins’ bill, SB 1375 being signed into law, as well as the more than a dozen additional pieces of legislation from the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. These laws will work in concert to shore up reproductive rights in California, expanding and protecting access to reproductive health for all who need it.

Legislative Leaders Issue Statement on Governor Calling Special Legislative Session

October 7, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) issued the following statement following Governor Newsom calling for a special Legislative session in December to examine gas price gouging:

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: