Press Releases

Senate Passes Atkins’ Bill to Protect San Diego River

April 24, 2017

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.

Senator Toni Atkins to be Honored as Legislator of the Year by Top Veterans Group

April 19, 2017

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Department of California, will name state Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) “Legislators of the Year” at its annual Legislative Day Reception tonight in Sacramento.

Senator Toni Atkins Issues Statement on Today’s Announcement by LGBT Center

April 18, 2017

Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) has issued the following statement in response to the announcement today by the San Diego LGBT Center Board of Directors that Dr. Delores Jacobs will not renew her contract as CEO of the Center in 2018:

“I want to acknowledge and thank Delores Jacobs for her leadership at the helm of the LGBT Center these last 16 years. I was the District 3 City Council member when the Center’s Board brought in Dr. Jacobs at a crucial time in the organization’s history.

Three Atkins Bills Advance in the Senate

April 6, 2017

This week, three bills authored by Sen. Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) cleared key policy committees.

Senate Health Committee to hold special hearing in San Diego

March 21, 2017

Dear friends and neighbors,

I am pleased to announce that the California Senate Health Committee will be holding a special hearing this Friday, March 24, in San Diego, focusing on the impacts that the proposed American Health Care Act are likely to have on our state.

The hearing will take place from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Fowler Family Ballroom, in the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, at San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive.

Atkins’ Affordable-Housing Bill Clears Second Senate Committee

March 15, 2017

The Senate Governance and Finance Committee today voted 5-2 to pass SB 2 – the Building Homes and Jobs Act – legislation authored by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) that will create a permanent source of funding for affordable housing.

The bill was previously endorsed by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee and now moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee, the last step before consideration by the full Senate.

Atkins’ affordable-housing bill clears Senate Transportation and Housing Committee

February 28, 2017

The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee today voted 9-3 to pass SB 2 – the Building Homes and Jobs Act – legislation authored by Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) that will create a permanent source of funding for affordable housing.

Californians for a Healthy California Act Seeks One Plan, More Choice for Residents

February 23, 2017

Today Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Sen. Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) introduced the Californians for a Healthy California Act (SB 562).

“Healthy California gives everyone insurance, because everyone has a right to health care. Trump and the Republicans don’t get to pick the health care winners and losers, and we’ll never get to 100% health care in California unless we lead.” – Senator Ricardo Lara

Atkins Introduces Legislation to Require Hotels to Train Employees on Human-Trafficking Prevention

February 9, 2017

Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) this week introduced SB 270, a bill that requires California hotels and motels to train employees on how to recognize the signs of human trafficking and how to report those signs to law enforcement.

Atkins Introduces Legislation to Protect the Environment, Improve Healthcare, and Help Prosecute Human Traffickers

February 3, 2017

Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) this week introduced new bills that will strengthen the San Diego River Conservancy (SB 214), bolster language-assistance services in medical care (SB 223), and help prosecute human traffickers (SB 230).