Press Releases

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).

Atkins, Wiener Announce SB 179 to Create New Gender Marker and Ease Process for Gender Change in Court Orders and on State Documents

January 26, 2017

~~With help from Equality California and the Transgender Law Center, Senators Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) today announced the introduction of legislation, SB 179 – The Gender Recognition Act of 2017, that will enable more transgender, intersex and nonbinary people to obtain state-issued identity documents that accurately reflect their gender.

Senator Atkins Issues Statement on President’s Executive Orders

January 25, 2017

Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today issued the following statement on President Trump’s planned executive orders on immigration:

“After listening to Donald Trump on the campaign trail, we shouldn’t be surprised that he is pursuing these irrational, mean-spirited and misguided executive orders. But that doesn’t make them any easier to accept.

Senator Atkins Issues Statement on Governor’s State of the State Address

January 24, 2017

Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today issued the following statement regarding Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State address:

“Governor Brown made it clear that California will not turn its back on the immigrants who contribute so richly to our culture and our economy; nor will we turn away from reproductive healthcare and climate science. Our state will continue to lead the way forward on these issues.

Senator Toni Atkins Issues Statement on Death of Former Senator Lucy Killea

January 18, 2017

Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) has issued the following statement on the death of former Senator Lucy Killea:

“The news of Lucy Killea’s passing is hard to believe and hard to accept. She was a titan of public service in San Diego – at the top of the list of our most respected elected officials. She was strong, honest, funny, whip-smart, full of integrity and fearless. A role model for young women – including me – she was proud to have put a few cracks in the glass ceiling.

Senators Wiener and Atkins to Introduce Legislation to Make it Easier for Cannabis Businesses to Pay Taxes and Fees, in Collaboration with Board of Equalization Chair Fiona Ma

January 17, 2017

~~Legislation will allow cannabis business owners to pay state taxes and fees throughout the state at either state or local tax collector offices, thus avoiding people having to travel long distances with suitcases of cash in light of federal ban on cannabis businesses using bank accounts
 

Senator Atkins Issues Statement on Governor’s Proposed Budget

January 10, 2017

Senator Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today issued the following statement on the release of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2017-18:

Senator Atkins Introduces Legislation to Create New Housing for Lower-Income Californians

December 6, 2016

Shortly after being sworn in as the senator representing California’s 39th District on Monday, Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) introduced legislation, SB 2, to create a permanent source of funding for affordable housing.

“The Legislature must address California’s severe housing crisis,” Atkins said. “While local communities largely control housing development, there are ways the state can help. Considering how hard it has become for an increasing number of Californians to afford housing, we need to step up.”