Press Releases

Today, the California Senate passed SB 562 – the Healthy California Act, legislation by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Sen. Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) that would create a universal, single-payer healthcare system in California. Atkins reacted with the following statement:

Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) issued the following statement regarding today’s vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act:

The California Senate today passed SB 230, legislation by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) that will help prosecutors convict predators who traffic in sex slavery. The bill passed by a vote of 36-0.

SB 230 adds the crimes of sex trafficking, pimping and pandering to the list of exceptions to the rule prohibiting the introduction of character evidence during trial. The other exceptions to this rule include cases involving sexual offenses and cases of domestic violence, elder or dependent abuse and child abuse.

The California Senate today passed SB 214, legislation by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) that will strengthen the capacity of the San Diego River Conservancy to  protect and enhance historic, cultural, and natural resources within the watershed along the 52-mile San Diego River. The vote was 33 to 5. The measure now moves on to the Assembly.

SB 214 adds representation from the City of Santee and the Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy to the conservancy’s Board of Directors. It also provides the conservancy with greater ability to enter into joint-powers agreements.