Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins Congratulates California Senate Fellows, Science and Technology Policy Fellows on Legislative Contributions

August 15, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement following a recognition ceremony held during floor session today to honor the 2021-22 California Senate Fellows and the California Council on Science and Technology Policy Fellows placed in the Senate:

Senate Leader Atkins’ Bill To Support Navy, Marine Military Families Across California Passes Legislature

August 12, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The Legislature has passed Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ (D-San Diego) SB 1041, legislation that would make permanent the sales tax exemption for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) and other qualifying organizations that provide financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, their family members, and survivors. The bill passed out of the Assembly Thursday on a 76-0 bipartisan vote, and it now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

Senate Leader Atkins Moderates Discussion on Reproductive Access with Vice President Kamala Harris

August 11, 2022

SACRAMENTO –  As California continues to safeguard protections for abortion access following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) moderated a roundtable discussion on reproductive rights with Vice President Kamala Harris and other California leaders today in San Francisco.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on California Supreme Court Nominations

August 10, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding Governor Newsom’s nomination of Associate Justice Patricia Guerrero to serve as the next Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, and his intent to appoint Alameda County Superior Court Judge Kelli Evans to the California Supreme Court as an Associate Justice:

Kate Kendell Appointed to the Covered California Governing Board

August 10, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), appointed Kate Kendell to the Covered California Governing Board.

Tamika Nelson Appointed to the California Rehabilitation Oversight Board

August 3, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), appointed Tamika Nelson to the California Rehabilitation Oversight Board. Ms. Nelson fulfills the requirement for one county chief probation officer to be appointed to this office.

Senate Leader Atkins Issues Statement on Retirement of California Supreme Court Chief Justice

July 27, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement today regarding the announced retirement of California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye:

Senate Leader Atkins, Budget Chair Skinner Applaud Remarkable, Responsible Final Budget Passed By Legislature

June 29, 2022

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 on the 2022-23 final budget passed by the Senate and Assembly today:

Legislative Leaders Applaud Historic Passage of Constitutional Amendment to Explicitly Protect the Right to Abortion, Contraceptives

June 27, 2022

SACRAMENTO – In a historic moment for California, the state Assembly today passed SCA 10, a constitutional amendment to make explicit the fundamental constitutional right to abortion and contraceptives in a 58-16 vote. The bill, jointly authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), and co-authored by a large coalition of Democratic Legislators, successfully passed its final legislative requirement just three days after the U.S. Supreme Court released an opinion that overturned Roe v.

Senate Leader Atkins Responds to SCOTUS Abortion Rights Decision: California Will Not Leave People Vulnerable to the Tyranny of a Loud Minority

June 24, 2022

SACRAMENTO –Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organizations, which overrules federal constitutional protections regarding the right to abortion: