Press Releases

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.

Senate Leader Atkins’ Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Abortion, Gender-Affirming Care Providers Passes Senate

May 24, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Today, a bill authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) to strengthen protections for California health care providers who provide abortion care services and gender-affirming care services passed out of the Senate on a 31-8 vote.

Senate Leader Atkins’ BRIDGE Project to Foster Acceptance of LGBTQ+ People in Other States Passes Senate

May 24, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senate Bill 447 – the BRIDGE Project – passed out of the Senate on a 31-8 vote. The bill, authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) would lift California’s travel ban to other states and create in its place a program to encourage acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.

Senate Leader Atkins, Budget Chair Skinner Issue Statement on Governor’s Revised 2023-24 Budget

May 12, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee, released the following statement today regarding Governor Gavin’s Newsom’s revised 2023-24 budget proposal: